I have been doing these "walk down memory lane" posts as of late...frankly, I'm getting bored with it...probably my adult ADHD. So I thought about offering an opinion on some topics that I have read about lately. Not that my opinion matters, but its my blog.
A big one has been the "cheating" that goes on in races, some of them fairly large and well known races (Boston Marathon for one). Now the cheating that I'm talking about is not, cutting corners or starting the race, then getting a lift from your buddy in his Prius to the last mile before the finish. This is the new trend of copying race bibs that were bought and paid for by another and then running the event with that number. First of all, i don't get it? if your not going to win the damn race or possibly place in your age group, not sure what the purpose is. Sure you can get a nice medal and maybe drink a free beer post race, which is a loss for the race director from the standpoint that you did not pay into the event but you are getting the "perks". So is that the motivation, to thumb your nose at race directors by taking something you did not pay for (petty theft? sounds like it to me).
Could it be a larger protest over the exclusionary criteria for some races? If you really feel that the only way to "qualify" for something that you obviously cannot under the rules that are set out, is to cheat (and cheat by having to run a distance of more than 10K) than you clearly have issues. Could it be a silent protest against the rising fees for the larger races (Chicago Marathon $185 for a US resident and $210 for a non resident). "Because i cannot find a way to afford the fees for your race, I will cheat my way into the event and get all the perks anyway...Ha ha!" This although a really crappy attitude, and certainly not a way to decrease fees, it does hold within it a reasonable argument, races are expensive, especially the larger city races. Don't even get me started on the "Rock and Roll" series and Disney Marathon weekend...Holy $135 for a 10K batman! There is a solution for this though and it is one that I have implemented in the past. Do one or two of these larger more expensive races a year, save your money by participating in local races, will some of those be expensive, yes they will but not $200 expensive....The local organizers will appreciate your participation, which will in turn increase the notoriety of their event, possibly drawing in more sponsor money so they can keep their fees low...My opinion...better than cheating.
I saw an article a week or two ago, that asked a simple question "Should prayer be done at the start line of races." Now this is not your own silent conversation with the god of your understanding, Your own request for safety, quickness and a "good race". It does not matter what you ask for, I would never impinge on your right to ask for it. This question involves the Race coordinator having a prayer as a formal part of the race start. Now I can appreciate the national anthem being sung at the start line. I feel that that has been a part of races (athletic events in general) as long as i have been doing them, its usually done by a local singer and, for me, it gets the blood going right before the horn sounds, I mean if "for the land of the freeeeeee and the home of the braaaaave" does not get you pumped, nothing will. I have never participated in a race that has had a pre-start blessing or prayer. To be honest I'm not religious enough to care either way, I would not avoid a race that did it and would not refuse to participate in one that did not. First of all, I feel that it should be a private conversation. Secondly, the start of a race is a high energy time, not a time for introspection and calm (unless thats part of your pre race routine), I don't feel it fits. Lastly, I think the role of a race director or coordinator is to offer a safe environment to engage in a competitive athletic event, not to push a particular religious agenda...unless the race that your running is sponsored by a church, a religious based charity, or indicates by name that it has some religious affiliation, for example, at the "lord and savior 10K". I would expect a prayer or blessing. The "down and dirty 5K", not so much. I guess for me, when I stand at that start line, I look around and I see runners, I don't care who your god is. The moment we bring religion into the equation, you divide and label...I don't think that belongs in an athletic event.
As stated above, just my opinion.
Well, on a personal note, my recovery is progressing, i am in the gym 5 days a week splitting time between a core workout on the stability ball (non weight bearing) and 30 min on the stationary bike. It curbs a bit of my desire to go go go, and is preparing me for what hopefully will be the ok to full weight bearing in June. I need to get ready for the Thunder Road 1/2 marathon in Charlotte NC in November.
Thanks for reading, RUN HAPPY!
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