Who is Ricky Alvarez?

Yesterday’s training called for a two mile warm up, six by 800m with a 400m rest in between, followed by a two-mile cool down.

I’m outside minding my business. I’ve just finished my third 800m on the bike path heading into Savoy, doing my quarter mile rest, when this guy pulls up alongside me.

“Hey, marathoner!” he says cheerfully.
“Um, hey,” I reply.
“Wow, good job!”

Fist bump.

Weird, I think in my head.

“Thanks?”
“You’re doing awesome,” he says.
“What’s your name?”
“`Something’ Alvarez. You?”
“Je...