Recently, running and walking has been a big part of my life.

A few times a week, I’ll get my “jogging” shoes on and head on out to Tom Byrne Park.

With the sodium-colored lights burning around the half-mile track, I set out focused on my task at hand.

Here lately, I’ve been running/walking 2 miles every time I visit the park.

I used an app that tracks how long I’ve gone and how fast it’s taking me to complete a mile.

Every time I finish, I laugh because the shape it turns out to be is that of Yoshi, from the Mario Bros. video games. Yep, Tom Byrne’s walking trail is in the shape of Yoshi.

On Sunday after I completed my work, I ran an errand and decided to go for a walk at the park. A walk was better because I wasn’t dressed for a run, too.

As soon as I almost made my first lap, I ran into Atmore native Lou Vickery.

We know each other real well as we are in Rotary Club together. Each Wednesday morning, he does a radio hour on called Lou in the Morning, I believe, and I’ve called in a few times in the place of Walt Butler, our advertising manager.

As we started walking, we spoke about sports, in particular the upcoming major league baseball season, his pro career and other things having to do with sports.

We even talked a little Paul Finebaum, the popular call-in radio host on the SEC Network.

Pretty soon afterward, I started to think how long I had been walking while talking with Lou.

I figured it must have been some 3 miles or so.

Smiling, I shrugged and kept on going.

As we parted, Lou went his way and I went around the trail to my car.

I’m glad I went out to walk at Tom Byrne Park, and I’m glad I walked into Lou. It was nice talking with him.