Running Out Of Excuses

A group of my coworkers and I are sitting around on our break, and the subject turns to running.

Coworker #1: “Oh, I wish I could go running.”

Awkward silence falls. We have been down this road with [Coworker #1] a few times on several different topics.

Coworker #1: “I think I would really get into it if I tried.”

Coworker #2: “Why not just do it, then? Give it a go.”

Coworker #1: “I don’t have any of the equipment.”

Coworker #3: “You know, when I started running, I just had normal trainers and any old clothes.”

Coworker #1: “Oh, but I don’t want to do it alone.” *Dramatic sigh* “I might be able to lose this weight if I did.”

Me: “I run after work; maybe you could come run with me.”

Coworker #1: “I would only slow you down.”

Me: “I don’t run fast, and I run a few times a week, some fast some… slower. We could do it. It would be fun.”

Coworker #1: “I don’t have time.”

Everyone apart from [Coworker #1] has kids. She is always first out the door and has no hobbies. I don’t bring this up. Instead, I just say:

Me: “Well, whenever you get time, let me know.”

Coworker #1: “Oh, yes. That would be great, because I really do want to.” *Sighs*