Running or Racing—a comparative analysis
Runners… | Racers… |
stop to look at the trees as they pass by. | ricochet off trees as they zoom across the landscape. |
worry about their flashlight batteries lasting. | get to the finish line before dark. |
enjoy the aid stations | sometimes pass through before the aid stations are set up. |
take naps in tents at aid stations. | take naps as they wait at the finish line. |
watch flowers opening in the morning sun. | pass through in the predawn darkness. |
worry about cut-off times. | worry about course or age-group records. |
write next-of-kin information on their wrist bands | write split times on their wrist bands |
wonder if there will be any beer at the aid stations. | wonder what kind of electrolyte replacement drinks will be at the aid stations |
get a hamburger as they pass through towns | slap down one more bit of tofu enriched yoghurt, whey, and scampi granola |
talk to local farmers as they pass by | scare chickens, cows, and small children |
are relieved to hear someone approaching from behind | feel the pressure of someone approaching from behind |
seldom get lost as they follow those hundreds of sets of footprints | worry about course markings (color, context, intent, malcontent, bent…) |
admire the view as they amble on across the landscape | are vaguely aware of something off to the right—or was it left? |
know the names of the “sweep” at 17 different events in 8 counties and 3 states. | drop if more than 17 minutes behind predicted time for the day. |
say “Thank you. Yes, I do believe I’ll have another brownie” just before being pushed out of the aid station. | smile and say “Thank you” over her shoulder as she heads for home. |
have been seen grabbing trees, cactus, and other runners to keep from careening off the course on a switchback. | make it look so easy, seldom stirring up dust or even disturbing the llamas. |
have out-of-body experiences as the day goes by and the finish line recedes in the afternoon sun. | have been heard to wonder admiringly about how the rest of us cope with being out there so long. |
sometimes curse day of race registration. | follow a plan conceived months ago. |
have long involved conversations with others as they pass or get passed. | surface long enough for a smile and an often monosyllabic response. |
have teddy bears, dragons, and other karma caretakers of the foray jangling from their fannypacks, Camel Baks,… | have a hand-bottle. |
have been seen in cotton t-shirts. | have all that super-neato logo stuff. |
slay inner dragons on good days. | slay inner dragons on good days. |
compete in their time, in their style, on their terms… | compete in their time, in their style, on their terms… |
Sweet? | Sweet? |
Sweet! | Sweet! |
