I think we are gonna be friends

It’s a cold November morning

and, like me, the sun is having a hard time getting out of bed.

Robert Ullrey’s encouraging voice echoes in my ears

to the soundtrack of bland techno.

He’s 43, you know?

He lives in California.

And on his 43^rd birthday, he decided he wanted to start running again.

He tells me this three times a week right before I decide to torture myself.