Ted, I'm so glad I met you. I'm glad my family to spent with you in New York those times. Hmmm, they were good.
Sometimes when we would bump into one another at a race or gathering, you always, always made time to say "Hello".
You always asked about my kids...and asked "How's their running"? "Do they still enjoy it?"
And I'd answer "Oh, yeah,yeah, they love it!"
You'd always said..."Good, good, that's what it's all about. They have to enjoy it". I'm glad for them."
It was the same thing you said to be back in '78. And I still do "enjoy" my runs to this day.
I met Ted at a race in '78. I remember going over to meet the TED CORBITT! I was enthralled...and scared. How could I, me, ever meet someody like Mr. Corbitt and ask a question. He was chatting it up with everybody. Everybody at the race knew him. People went by saying "Hi Ted" almost in reverent tones.
I found Ted unassuming. Humble and yet held a strong presence.
When he finally had a moment with nobody else near him, I work up the courage and went over to him. I introduce myself and said "Hi!" He shook my hand and looked right at me..warmly and asked how long I had been running?
After a few other questions, of which, I have no memory...I bubbled out "Why do you run?" He looked right at me...right in my eyes and smiled the best smile and said, "Because I enjoy it."
"Me too", I spilled out.
He continued to smiled at me while nodding his head and saying something to the effect "that's what it's about."
I bounced on my way, waving goodbye saying "Thank you, nice to meet ya."
And it sure was a special moment to meet a great and wonderful human being such a man like Ted Corbitt.
Thank you Ted Corbitt!