I was far too early and feeling far too old for the first session of the beginner’s clinic of Front Runners New York, a club for the L.G.B.T.Q.
running community. It was 2019, and the large gym on the Upper West Side of New York City was filling up with men and women, but mostly young men, in running clothes.
We smiled and waved or shook hands, and I felt awkward in my new tracksuit and sneakers. The coaches, Richard and Paul, broke the silence.
Paul looked older than me — I was 64 at the time — which gave me some relief. We sat in a circle and introduced ourselves. We had all signed up because we wanted to participate in the five-mile Pride Run, which would be the last session of the clinic in 10 weeks.