Having a regular exercise route, if not a regular time, we often see the same people, if only at somewhat irregular intervals. One person who has stood out in my mind is a small slender blond woman. The first time I saw her was last winter. She was in a red shirt (maybe flannel) with the tails out, jeans, tennis shoes, and had a long blond ponytail. I passed her at the cattle gate."Woman you aren't going to ride that bike up the hill are you?"
(This from someone who was running down the hill!!!! Anyone who can run up or down that hill is truly remarkable).
As time went on I would see her occasionally. Usually I was riding up and she was running down. I eventually decided she must be about my age, which makes the fact that she was running really crazy. She must not have arthritis.
And whenever we would pass she would say something like "Good Job!", or "Awesome!". I always would respond in kind. I asked Ted if she ever said anything to him, and he indicated he got the same greetings.
Now riding up that hill is hard work. Even walking takes a lot of effort. And a lot of the people I see on that hill are not in great shape. So getting told you are "Awesome!" when you are breathing hard and wondering if you can make it, really gives you a little boost. So after thinking about it for a while, I decided that maybe instead of my usual "Howdy" I should switch my greeting to the people I pass to "Good Job!".
So I've done that. Having become my default greeting on the ride down, I say it to everyone. I'm not sure if the strong 20-somethings who are tearing up the hill on their bikes really appreciate it, but maybe they do.
As time went on I would see her occasionally. Usually I was riding up and she was running down. I eventually decided she must be about my age, which makes the fact that she was running really crazy. She must not have arthritis.
And whenever we would pass she would say something like "Good Job!", or "Awesome!". I always would respond in kind. I asked Ted if she ever said anything to him, and he indicated he got the same greetings.
Now riding up that hill is hard work. Even walking takes a lot of effort. And a lot of the people I see on that hill are not in great shape. So getting told you are "Awesome!" when you are breathing hard and wondering if you can make it, really gives you a little boost. So after thinking about it for a while, I decided that maybe instead of my usual "Howdy" I should switch my greeting to the people I pass to "Good Job!".
So I've done that. Having become my default greeting on the ride down, I say it to everyone. I'm not sure if the strong 20-somethings who are tearing up the hill on their bikes really appreciate it, but maybe they do.
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