I only run if something is chasing me...

Went with Brandy, Dave and Eric last night to Anniston for Dave and Eric to run in a 5K. Eric had earlier in the day ridden in a 100-mile bike ride in Georgia with some cycling friends, and amazingly, had the energy to throw himself headlong into another competition. This was Dave’s first run, and he was quite excited at competing. I will never forget the sight of Dave and Eric coming out of the dark, running side-by-side to the finish line. And although he would more than likely deny what I am about to say than agree with it, Eric could’ve probably taken off ahead at some point, despite an injured ankle. Instead, he stayed with Dave and they came in together. In all sincerity, I was proud of them both…

I finally got to meet the good Dr. Carmine Dibiase and his wife Susan, both of whom I felt I already knew from Eric and his blog. Susan is terribly easy to talk with, does NOT run, plays cello and gardens; Carmine, equally easy to talk with, runs and cycles, is a professor of English at JSU, and makes wine (he also collects rare fountain pens and evidently has a huge collection of books, neither facts seem to be unusual for an English prof). While waiting for prizes to be awarded in the parking lot of the gymnasium, Susan introduced me to her friend Karen, who turned out to be Karen Gregg of Karen-and-Kelly-Gregg-fame from back in the days of archaeology. Ahhh, I remember Karen helping me schedule the remaining classes for my undergrad degree and Kelly tromping through Cold Water Creek with the meter stick while I tried to keep site of him in the kudzu…I am blessed whenever I rediscover old friends, and I am always amazed at how they are rediscovered in the most unexpected places and under the most unexpected circumstances…

In another unexpected twist, Eric placed first in his age group for the run, and left the parking lot weighed down by an enormous hunk of metal dangling from a ribbon...it was like a Mr. T starter kit...