A Balance, Redefined

Have to get this fog out of my head. The morning was fine. Last night I got a decent amount of sleep but… Into lab early and then I was out the door. The moon was just above the mountain range and during the first half mile I was running directly toward it. It is amazing how quickly things move. By the time I hit my turn the moon was completely behind the mountains, nice to watch. Then during the next mile or so I swear there was a dove on each block cooing its head off. Finally got to Memory Grove and was just jogging along. Turned up to head out and got a rock in my shoe. As I stopped to take the rock out a guy I see relatively regularly going in the opposite direction caught me as I was starting to run again. We happened to be going at not too different of paces so I just started alongside him. However, he was not talkative (though I see him about once a week) and I just kept going. At this a younger guy passes by going at a good pace. I was said hi fairly loudly and no reply from him either. Now is it just me or is there some type of runner’s code? I try and acknowledge others braving the elements and hitting the pavement or trails with me. Even in a hard workout I will try and give at least a nod. In any case I wasn’t sure what I was going to do so I tucked in about 20 ft feet behind him so as not to crowd him. Then my competitive side got the better of me and I decided to pull along and say hi, maybe I’m too eager to meet other runners… He was going at a good clip and we were running the FireHouse mile in reverse (up) at this point. I pulled up and just went with him. There seemed to be a couple surges. We hit the mile in 6:26 and I was about to find out who he was, how far he was going, introduce myself, whatever, and he turned back to head back down the mile. So I had one hardish mile with mystery guy. I’m 90% sure I’ve seen him going the other direction before as well. I think this is enough procrastination. Now on to work…Avg. 9:00