As you may know, I’m in training for a Tough Mudder race (less than a month away) and I’ve really gotten into running (again).
Rediscovered the fun of it.
The other night, I went out and about 1.2 miles into my loop, I noticed the skies darkening…rapidly.
Then, a thunder crack…and off in the distance, a flash of lightning.
From the way things were progressing, I wouldn’t make it home in time and while in my youth, I would have made a run for it, playing the odds, fatherhood changes you.
The trade off of an extra 3.8 miles (to finish the run) or even to go back just wasn’t worth the cost of getting hit by lightning (even though the odds are slim).
Factor in that I would be somewhat exposed and near trees (flying limbs or whatever), and it just seemed like the right idea was to find shelter.
Problem was…I had no cell phone and no money (lesson learned).
On the corner, however, was a Police station. Just as I was entering, it started to come down hard.
And by hard, I mean, torrential.
I was debating whether I would share the fact that just at this moment, the song “It’s Raining Men” was playing on my playlist. What can I say? I like the beat and it pumps me up while I’m running.
Laugh away.
I asked the Police Officer if I could have a ride home—my tax dollars at work, right?
Alas, no.
She pointed me to a room where I could make a free local call.
Now, the NFO was out with the kids at an event. Too far away for a pickup, so I had a judgment call to make
Wait out the storm or call someone.
The problem with waiting out the storm was the fact that I had to meet said NFO at a precise time in the future. So I had to be at home to change and get back out.
I went through my mental rolodex, thinking, “who would both pick me up and like to laugh at me at the same time?”
Answer was obvious…I called David Price.
His wife, Daphne answered and I proceeded to explain my predicament.
“Where do you need me to pick you up?” (Mind you, she didn’t even ask “where’s the NFO?”)
She just came and got me (good thing she did because it started hailing.)
What a friend.
When I got in the car, I said, “yes, this will be on the blog.”
And so it is…a testament to a bit of wisdom (not running through a thunderstorm) and a great friend (no questions asked).
ON the way back, we had another wise move…electing to take an alternate route when we saw this massive flood in front of her car.
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