What is the worst phrase a runner can hear? 'Your leg is broken'? 'I have peed in your electrolyte drink'? 'Sorry. they don't make the Brooks Cascadia shoe any more'?
No, the worst phrase is one I heard last week.
I went out with Long Ashton Running Group - 'my' group, because I set it up. The aim was to run hard enough to irritate my knee; I had an appointment with the knee consultant the following day and I wanted to show him something worthy of the referal. I felt pretty good considering my recent lack of running and went ahead, relishing the freedom of speed.
There was one runner who could keep up with me and the two of us imperceptively sped up as we quietly tested each other. Nice, chatty fellow with a fast pair of legs; my knee was holding up pretty well even though I actually did want it to hurt. He then brought me crashing to the ground with his evil weapon, timed just as we locked horns on the slopes of Glebe Avenue.
'I hear you used to be quite good in your day'.
THIS is my day! I'm not done yet thank you very much.
pedant alert! *referral* and *imperceptibly*
ReplyDeletebut, have to say, point out the horridly competitive man and i'll trip him up with my stick
Oh, how crushing! 'used to be' - fie, what nonsense! Still are.
ReplyDeletePS to Anonymous, I know who you are - the stick reference is somewhat telling, Ms D! And only you would dare correct his spelling. I can't let 'sat ' go but I can gloss over spelling errors.
I'm OK at spelling but too lazy to check my work before publishing. I wouldn't let my students be so slapdash
ReplyDelete