My Chance Encounter with Legendary Runner and (Former) Senator Jim Ryun

On Thursday I told my editor that I was planning on going to Manhattan, Kansas for the Fourth of July. He immediately looked up from his desk and leaned back in his chair.

"Oh really? Do you know who Jim Ryun is?"

Do I know who Jim Ryun is? I wanted to laugh at his question. Of course I know who Jim Ryun is; he's one of the greatest track runners in Kansas history, not to mention United States history. He's my uncle's idol, and Bob M. was one of Ryun's best men in his wedding.

"Yeah, I've heard about him my whole life," I responded.

Dan smiled and said, "I ran track in high school and I always wanted to be just like him. The four-minute mile, you know? Well, while you're out there, try to dig up some information about Jim Ryun for me, why don't you?"

I left the office early that day, not really thinking about Jim Ryun or Dan's request.

We got to Kansas really late and were up early for a family-filled Fourth of July. We went to my aunt's house for lunch and then went to the carnival to check out the rides I'd frequented since I was a little girl. Soon the time came for the parade to start, so we rounded up our family and carried our lawn chairs to Main Street in downtown Wamego. The little children crowded around the curbs, but somehow Em, Rachel, and I managed to squeeze in a little grass space relatively close to the floats.

I can't say that I'm a huge proponent of politics, but I do have some interest in local and national politicians. So as the trucks and tractors drove by with signs saying "John Smith for County Sheriff" and "Jack Sheeley for U.S. Senate," I made a point to ask for a pamphlet.

I'd accumulated quite a range when the Jim Ryun truck came by. There were girls dressed in shirts reading "Jim Ryun for Congress" handing out candy, but I didn't see any pamphlets! I knew that Dan would get a kick out of a Ryun brochure, so I was eager to get one. At the end of the float, I spotted a couple guys with red buckets filled with pamphlets. I jumped up and walked to the nearest one.

As I neared him, he reached out his hand and gave me a big political smile. I knew right then and there that I was meeting Jim Ryun.

I was in a state of mild shock, so all I could say was, "Hi, uh, could I have a brochure?"

He laughed and said, "Of course, here you go. Thanks!"

I sat back down on the grass, staring at my family in disbelief. Dad, Grandpa, and Russ were all staring at me as if I were crazy but also some sort of hero. Mom was laughing and saying, "Sarah! What--wow!"

I was in shock for the next two or three hours, that's for sure. I kept kicking myself for not having asked more or been a little more prepared to see the man, but in the end I was just glad that I could have shaken his hand and said anything to him. It was like when I saw Senator McCain, but somehow a little bit better.

Now I'll definitely have a good story to tell Dan when I go back to work on Wednesday.