11 January 2009

Enough Already

Today on my run I was coming up behind this guy who was walking on the same side of the street as me. He started looking back as I approached and I could tell he wanted to ask me for something. I slowed down and stopped my watch as he said hello.

He gave me some sob story about fighting with his girlfriend and not having enough money to get the bus back to Philly. I did not have any money so I told him I couldn't help him out. He thanked me anyway and apologized for stopping my run.

Hmm... pretty polite guy...

But as I started running again he asked me if I wanted the Eagles to win today. Where did that come from? Then he asked how many miles I was running. Then he wished me luck on my running. All this while I was running away. If I had not started running again he would have just kept on going.

Some people just don't know when to let up.

9 comments:

Sonia said...

Some people are really lonely.... must be one of them. I guess starting a conversation with a complete stranger was the highlight of his day!

billdowis said...

you may be right... at least he was a nice guy. and he seemed impressed with me running 3 miles.

Pat said...

I wonder what he would have said if you offered him a ride? I've encountered two homeless people during my runs. One was during a race and I waved him to cross with his shopping cart because I knew I was running slow. The other I gave a half gallon of orange juice to. He was waiting for the library to open and I was leaving a race with some swag. It's amazing where running will take you.

Progman2000 said...

That's why I never stop my runs for anyone. Especially an Eagles fan - those people are just plain weird.

billdowis said...

lol... Eagles fans are crazy... especially on Sundays!

Pat... that is great that you gave a homeless person your free swag. Too many times they are ignored when we have so much to offer them!

Frayed Laces said...

Aww! This poor guy was lonely! He probably just wanted a friend. But I agree, I mean, couldn't he see you were RUNNING?

Girl In Motion said...

Funny situation. I vote for crazy. And I don't think you were rude at all, I don't stop either unless the person is really in trouble (happened once with someone parked in the middle of a busy street needing directions).

Lindsay said...

oh i have the hardest time trusting people lately after what happened to my dad. we had a guy approach us in florida last weekend with a sob story and him and his friend had both forgotten their wallets. i hope the story wasn't true but it weirded me out. glad this guy was harmless, even if he did interrupt your run!

Denise said...

Sounds like he was lonely. You should have asked if he wanted to run with you!