Get Your Elbows off the Table

I am comfortable announcing that I am not perfect. I’m also confident that nobody else is either. This is very important to remember, unless you can part the seas or your name is Michael Jordan. Or you can dance flawlessly to Gangnam Style. We are responsible for our actions, intentionally malicious or accidentally misinterpreted. 

The population of my local community is relatively small compared to a large metropolitan area. We’ve got about a quarter of a million people within a half hour radius. Smaller communities have their bonuses as well as their drawbacks. Around here, it’s not uncommon for me to bump into somebody that I know at a random social event. I believe that this is good because I am not able to mask my behavior with the law of large numbers. I’m held accountable for what I say and who I am.

99 percent of the time, I’m happy about where I live. I’m particularly grateful for the circuit of races that are held here locally throughout the year. They are generally held without much fanfare; Carrie Underwood has yet to sing the national anthem and there are no after parties held by Ryan Seacrest. This makes running races easy and fun.

Whether you’re participating in the New York City Marathon or your local Halloween Pumpkin 5K, one thing is paramount; get your elbows off the table! While generally not an issue, manners at road races or the gym or the local bernina retailer appear to be slipping. Unfortunately, I’ve heard words and witnessed actions recently that are unbecoming of a fellow racer. This is a cardinal sin.

I joke and play more than anyone that I know, but I have never insulted or belittled another runner. Each of our circumstances is different. The slightly overweight guy struggling with a 15-minute mile may have just lost a hundred pounds. Don’t snicker at him because he’s in last place; always applaud.  Another racer may just have defeated cancer, or had a baby or is participating in her first race.  You’ll never hear me laugh at another’s effort. Esprit de corps is so very important.

When I run or race or flail about on the treadmill at the gym, I’m pretty tuned in to what I need to accomplish. How can I improve? Can I run faster? Should have I reconsidered washing my running shorts? It’s ok to be a little self-centered. It’ll help erase the stresses of the day. Trust me, my crowsfeet are not cavernous.

Although I might quietly question another’s choice in exercise apparel, I’m upbeat and encouraging. I swear that I’ve seen it all being worn. Some of the clothing is enjoyable and some not so much. But that should be a different post altogether. Positive encouragement should be required of fellow competitors. Remember, that having kismet on your side is always nice. You don’t want your karma running over your dogma.

-RJ Lott

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