Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Cupid sucks: A Brief V-day run

My dear running friends who have patiently waited for me to get off the sidelines and into the game will be happy to know I just ran 3 miles today totally pain-free.  Not a twinge, tweak or pinch--painless.

I just needed to run.  I was going to go to the gym and do my usual regimen to keep some muscle tone and burn fat, but my head said 'run' so I did.  It was sunny and 50, so I broke out the shorts.  I looked in the mirror and panicked.  Where has my ass gone?  Man, I'm not ready to lose one of my best features just yet.

I ran along the water and around Fell's Point.  On my way back in I ran along the water promenade.  Three, count them, three men were walking towards me.  All three of them had cell phones and their eyes glued to them.  This hit me in a terribly wrong way.  These three businessmen were not only doing something somewhat hazardous on an uneven surface, but they were about to let life's finer points pass them by...ME!

There was a day when boys would stop, whistle, and in general, stay aware of their surroundings.  Now we are all so absorbed in our virtual handheld worlds that we are letting the good stuff run right by.  Not today, I wouldn't allow it.

"Eyes forward boys!," I shouted as I zipped by.  One paid attention and said back, 'What are you a school teacher or something?"  As I ran, I turned back to see if there was any effect in my running wake.  The one semi-conscious man stopped and watched me run away.  He said something else, but I didn't hear him.  I smiled, waved and kept on running.

I needed to run today to get back in touch with my senses.  The gym seemed too artificial.  My feet, outside, brisk air and sunshine was what stimulated me.  Most people are walking zombies and turning further and further away from what is really there.  I felt zombie-like so I threw myself into the elements.

Now, I think everyone needs to try a little experiment:  Leave your phone home one day.  See how many times throughout the day you wished you had it to distract yourself from small, awkward social situations.  Summon up the courage to say something insignificant to someone. It could be 'nice day', or 'boy, gas prices are high'. Pay attention to how may others around you use and rely on their phones for distractions.  Don't be this person! Don't let ME pass you by!