As an urban runner I always have bad experiences (cars trying to mow me down, people tossing cigarettes/bottles/whatevah at me, dogs chasing me) but once in a great while I have a good one. This is a particularly good one.
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So I'm out on my run last night. On a particular street occasionally I'll see a little girl, about 8YO, playing basketball. She used to play with her brother, but apparently he made fun of her too much so she has recruited another neighborhood girl. Anyhoo, whenever I see her go up for a shot and make it, I smile and say "Nice shot!" as I pass. She always blushes, smiles, looks down at her feet, and mumbles "Thank you."
Last night I said "Nice shot!" because she's really improving, and she flags me down. "Mrs., you really run a lot! How'd you get so fast?"
I'm thinking, kid if you think a 10mm is fast you need glasses, but I say, "Did you make it into the basket the first time you shot the ball?"
"No, Mrs. I hit my dad's truck! He wasn't too happy about that."
"Well, how did you get better?"
"I practiced a lot. A LOT."
"Well, that's what I did. When I started running I was really slow and couldn't go far at all. I wouldn't even have been able to make it down your street without stopping! But I just kept practicing until I got better."
"And you keep practicing so you'll get even faster, right? And so you can go really far, right?"
"That's right."
"Mrs., when I grow up I want to be a really fast runner just like you!"
I smiled and went back on my way, thinking, THIS IS WHY I RUN.
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Note to El: Run past little girl's house on every run...she's just what someone needs on a daily basis.
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But please refer to yesterday's Deep Thought for some advice on how to handle her when she makes shots like that... :P
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Very cool story!!! It's always so gratifying to be an inspiration for someone, especially kids!
...and if you're passing, I'll take that cherry one in the middle, please
...and if you're passing, I'll take that cherry one in the middle, please
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