THE BOSTON MARATHON IS TOMORROW. Along with the N.Y. Marathon, these are two events that I try not to miss. Top notch runners are the most elite athletes around. It makes me laugh to see a baseball player leg out a double and then stand there on second base huffing and puffing. Trained marathoners pull off five-minute miles, mile after mile, often going faster at the end than at the start. Aside from the physical stamina and strength it takes, there is a significant mental element to run in these events. I’m not only referring to the mind-over-matter aspect of strenuous physical activity alone. Each runner is trying to determine how best to deal with his competitors, when to speed up, when to force the pace, when to attempt to break from the pack. The race commentators read the signs of the effort each runner is putting out, the relative posture, the motion of the arms, the expression on the face, the overt evidence of how tired or hurting an individual runner appears to be. It is hard to imagine what a marathoner goes through during a race, and it is equally difficult to appreciate the exultation one feels crossing the finish line.
Yes, well, there's always something chasing me, Axl. If you look back, something may be chasing you too. Or perhaps it's just lurking around the corner back there. :)
Hello HenryM.
Having been a distance runner myself (in the far and distant past), I can very much appreciate how you feel about watching these events. However, my own appreciation is gleaned from watching those further down the field, who look as if they are putting in much more effort than those out in front. These are the people who are running in support of their favourite charities; they may not have the stamina or the abilities of the elite runners, but they attract my sincere admiration.
These are people who seem to be motivated by ‘kindness’, so I think you may have stimulated another rhyme to go into my future book on the subject.
As with other athletic events, I am an advocate of having these people’s ’Personal Best’ (PB) scores published, so that we can see when an individual has literally ‘done their best’, or at least got somewhere near that achievement. For me, these people deserve just as much adulation as those who are blest with the attributes that allow them to come first.
Alternatively, my own perspective, involves one of viewing people who want to ‘win’ over others, as being people who want other people to ‘lose’. Having written so extensively about bullying in its various forms, it becomes difficult for me to see this as inherently different to that concept.
I do hope you enjoy watching the Boston marathon as much as I enjoyed the London event.
NB: I also love to watch the disabled participants, as they inspire me by their motivation, energy and persistence, so much more than those who possess a ‘natural’ ability and talent.
Best wishes
Bill
Okay! so I have been looking for concepts relating to 'kindness' - which are proving to be much harder to find than those of 'bullying/unkindness'. However, as usual, HenryM has posted this thread which has prompted me to share my thoughts on the distance runners and how some of them deliberately run over these long distances with the motivation of being 'kind' to others. From my perspective, this sort of altruism needs to be recognised and praised.
Best wishes
Bill
THE ‘KINDNESS’ OF DISTANCE RUNNERS.
One mile, or five, or ten, or more,
there’s one thing that I know for sure,
the folks who run, so others gain
will never do their runs in vain.
I must say, I have high regard
for those who work so very hard
to run these distances, and they
may raise some cash along the way.
The elite runners do their thing,
and think it’s right that they should bring
a competition to the race,
to see who sets the fastest pace.
These runners will be out to win
and, whilst it may not be a sin,
when winners win, someone will lose
and this may not be what they choose.
I feel it’s best when runner’s quest,
is simply to do their own best,
quite independent of the race
and then nobody loses face.
So, I prefer that rabble crowd,
who are behind, but shout out loud
that they are there for other’s sake
so, in the win, there is no stake.
Their winning comes from taking part,
and feeling kindness in their heart,
knowing that when their running’s done,
almost everyone has won.
All the money that they’ve raised
should be acknowledged and then praised,
for then the enterprise would show
that this is a ‘kind’ way to go.
Be Withers 2021
Hi Henry, I too am in awe of marathon runners, but I agree with Bill. Those who are running for altruistic reasons are really deserving of not just awe, but admiration. I used to be a runner. It was all about keeping fit and not gaining weight. I probably punished myself for close to ten years, before finally giving up. I hated every minute of it! I now actually enjoy my fitness routine, fast walking, various cardio and strength exercises at the gym. I'm amazed that I tortured myself for as long as I did. Another agonizing routine I used to put myself through was a hike up the Grouse Grind on one of our local mountains, also affectionately known as the "stairmaster from Hell". The trail is almost three kilometers straight up. People would, of course, time themselves, some just looking for their own personal best, but many pitting themselves against others. I'm so glad that is all behind me! I hope I am at a sufficient level of fitness to run away from anything that is chasing me.
Terry
