The Runner

Short Story Day 29 of 365

Evan and Joseph had been walking buddies for the past two years. Like clockwork, they were out four times a week at 7 pm each night regardless of rain, snow, sleet, or shine. They talked sports, politics, women, current events, and their career choices. Nothing was taboo or out of bounds, though they rarely strayed from current events.

Evan said, “Say, look at that guy over there. Seems more like he’s walking than running. It’s kinda odd to see that in people.”

Joseph smiled. “Know what you mean. I think he’s 86 now.”

“You know him?”

“Sure, everybody does.”

“What do you mean?”

“Know of him. Heard a lot about him.”

“Really? Him?”

“Sure, Three-time Olympic gold medalist, winner of Chicago and Boston marathons at least a half dozen times. Big name in the running world. Jim Graham.”

“That’s Jim Graham?” Evan asked.

He stared at the half-running, half-walking man. Graham’s glory days had now faded but he still kept up the discipline, albeit at 1/30th of any kind of Olympic or marathon pace.

“Yep it is. I idolized him for a long time, back when I was running marathons.”

“You ran marathons too? I didn’t know that. Win any?”

Joseph chuckled. “Naa, you have to be superhuman to win those. It’s a sprint to the finish from the starting line at that level. I didn’t have the discipline or mindset to do that.”

Runner Jim Graham smiled as he passed Evan and Joseph.

“Hi, Joseph. Good to see you exercising again.”

Joseph said, “You, too, Dad.”