No Sir

Way back in 2023, when I started running with my training group (when zero people talked to me or acknowledged my presence) I remember telling Morty of the only attractive male in the pack. 

He "joked" that I'd probably accidentally run a full marathon just because I was following the guy. 

....as if I could keep up with this guys 7:30 / mi pace!  ....but I got the point. 

Just because no one got to know me doesn't mean I didn't figure out who was who. 

Do I know anyone's last name? Mostly not.  Do I know most people's first name?  Si.   ....except for Bob, who for two plus years I've been calling him "Jim" to which he's never corrected me.  I found this out this last weekend.  

But back to the guy in the pic, Chris. 

He is one of two in the bigger group who are handsome in person, less so in images. It doesn't do him justice. He is also like 25-30 years younger than I. And runs at a pace I can't even imagine, let alone do. 

......and he doesn't know who I am. Barely even a little. 

In the first five (of six) training programs (16 weeks each), not so much as a chin raised in an upward motion with a " 'sup ". All the folks in his advanced cohort "know" me, talk to me, call me by name and even give positive reinforcement. 

No worries. I wasn't losing sleep over this. If nothing else, he's fun to look at. 

But last Saturday, I started my 14 mile run earlier than the main group. My running wife joined me, as did Jim Bob.  After mile 4, I was just way ahead of them and saw them after my turn around. Slightly farther down the road, Chris and I passed as well. 

He was alone. I was alone.  Clearly he started early too, just later than the three of us. 

Now, when I see him, I always call him by his name, even though it's not reciprocated or acknowledged. I'm a guy who was raised to address people. My parents used to make sure I shook hands with everyone and look them in the eye - them in their adulthood, me in my pre-teens. 

Anyhoooo.......as we are about to pass, I say, "good job, Chris".   

His response?  "Morning Sir". 

O-U-C-H. 

Yes, he couldn't say my name, because he doesn't know it. And he didn't use 'buddy', 'sport' or 'pal', for which I'm semi-grateful. 

It wasn't a militaristic 'Sir'.  It was a, "you're my elder" kind of Sir.  

That 0.03 seconds hit hard. 

I should have taken that he recognized I was alive to be a step forward, but in reality I figured, I MIGHT be older than his father.  

FUCK!

Ouch, indeed. 

Song by: the Both