Runners...they are kind.

It's never happened before. I bonked, but that's later in the story. I ran the 5 miles to the Pontiac Lake Rec Area trailhead and met up with two the best runners I know; Kai and Melanie. I was about 10 minutes late and they had waited. Very kind. We were going to run one loop of the mountain bike trail. An easy 10 miles. Kai led out as he normally does. All was well until about mile 7...I just couldn't keep pace and started to fall behind. They noticed and suggested I lead to set the pace. Very kind. As we came up on mile 8 I stopped because the trail was moving...turtles! A clutch of snapping turtles were making their entrance into the world and were scurrying around out of their hole and onto the trail. We spent about 10 minutes collecting the little critters, getting off the trail so they didn't get run over by bikers or runners. Melanie had to explain to Kai why these little guys would not make good pets. We waited for the last one to emerge, made sure they were safe and started off again. Very kind. At mile 9 we stumbled upon this mammoth bull frog sitting int he middle of the trail. Melanie was fascinated by him and was insistent that if she picked him up he would croak for us. No luck...he was mute. She set him to the side and we continued on. Very kind. It wasn't much further that I had to stop. I had nothing left in the tank. I had to walk. Kai and Melanie stopped to walk with me. So very kind. Eventually I was able to continue the last mile to the parking lot. They never left my side. Melanie gave me a ride home. She was willing to let my sweaty butt into her car. I couldn't thank her enough. I took her out the garden and loaded her up with some fresh veggies. It wasn't much but I had to repay her kindness somehow. I look forward to running with them again. Their kindness will be remembered.