I’ve written often about the National Institute of Running Sciences and several of the researchers and scientists who work there. However, I haven’t mentioned them lately because of an incident that soured our relationship.

In a September phone call, I accused lead researcher, Dr. Ayer O’Beck, of shoddy methods which I detailed in the post, I’ve had it up to here with them. He got so mad that if we’d been face-to-face, fists would have been flying. I decided to make amends by traveling to the Institute in Washington, DC to apologize in-person.

Several times I had been rude and inconsiderate to the receptionist on the phone. When I walked in, I went straight to her desk, brought up every incident, and apologized profusely for each one. When I finished, she told me the National Institute of Running Sciences building is next door.

Next door I went and did my apologizing to the correct receptionist. Afterward, I went to Ayer O’Beck’s office where I was contrite, humble, and complimented his exceptional research skills over and over. I could tell Ayer was very appreciative of the length I’d gone to repair our relationship. Lunchtime arrived, and he offered to treat me in the Institute’s cafeteria.

Their spinach salad looked delicious, and I love spinach. I grow it in my garden and eat spinach all the time. I really can’t stress enough how much I love spinach. So what did I order? The spinach salad, of course.

Ayer must have been in a great mood from all the compliments I’d given him because he was smiling at me and trying to stifle joyful laughter the entire meal.