Nike Women’s Marathon 2012
You might not expect it, but I’m loud. I scream and cheer. If I can read your name on your shirt, I will cheer for you. If I see Team in Training runners, I will yell “Go Team!” I’m excited for the people racing and know that most have put in a lot of effort to get to this point. Inevitably, I leave the race with a sore throat and hoarse voice.
You know why? Because as a runner and a racer, I know that I appreciate it when the crowd gets into the race. I feed off that energy. When I am struggling and I see and hear the crowds pulling for the runners out on the course, it helps me dig a little deeper and push a little harder.
I distinctly remember running the Marine Corps Marathon back in 2002. For those of you not familiar with the course, it ends with an up-hill climb to the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial. As we climbed up the hill to the finish, there were many spectators lining the course – completely silent. This was the finish!! By that point in the race, I was spent and it was somewhat demoralizing that no one was cheering. Much to my husband’s amusement, I yelled at the crowd to “Cheer goddamnit!!!” Excuse my language but I was mad.
My kids love cheering on runners at the New York City Marathon. I’m sure it’s not just because they get to ring a cowbell.
This past weekend, I had the chance to cheer on runners at the Nike Women’s Marathon. I landed in San Francisco after midnight on Sunday night and woke up at 6:30am in the morning and rushed out the door. I hadn’t planned on being in San Francisco this weekend but a business trip brought me out West and I was excited for the opportunity to spectate and to cheer on some Fitfluential Ambassadors.
As I stood along the Embarcadero, there were a number of spectators but it was pretty quiet and it kind of upset me. I know it was early and I know that race spectating can actually be pretty tiring but there are runners out there giving it their all. Who cares if you don’t personally know them? You can still cheer, right?
So, what kind of race spectator are you?
Congratulations to ALL the runners and racers this weekend.
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I am super loud.
VERY LOUD.
I.
Excitable
Miz recently posted..Ten word Tuesday.
Thanks for writing this! I get mad also when you see people just sitting and staring. CHEER!!!! With that being said, I get LOUD!!!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Where’s Your Dream Race?
It drives me batty when people are just standing there and staring! I inevitably end up making a fool of myself when I’m out cheering
well, i think you might know what kind of spectator i am. There from beginning to end! I love it. Hard work but worth it!!
lindsay recently posted..Spa Day & Help with Kelp
You, my friend, are no doubt one incredible sherpa.
YES SPECTATORS ARE SOOOO IMPORTANT! They play such a huge role, especially during that final stretch! WOOHOO!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Marathon Recap – The Good
Luckily they were quiet, otherwise I wouldn’t have heard you! (But yes it bothers me too!)
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..Playlist Thursday: ANGSTY & Giveaway Winner
haha. That’s very true! I kind of felt silly after I yelled your name across a dead quiet street
I’m sure people loved you on Sunday! I think it’s awesome you were out there supporting everyone. And I love your story about MCM and yelling at the crowd! Want to go to CIM with me Dec. 2? ; )
misszippy recently posted..The Baltimore Marathon in flip-flops
I would love to to to CIM with you! I can bring cowbells and whistles and posters – you name it
Oh I am loud! I LOVE to cheer on other runners! In fact, I cheer them on while I’m running too!!! I’m a slow runner so I get to see all those fast runners after they’ve already turned around and are heading back…and I’m always yelling and cheering for them! I LOVE seeing the emotions on their face when they know I’m cheering for them! Love it!!!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..Gulf Coast Half Marathon Mandeville Day 1!
I love that you cheer for other runners during the race too. That always catches my attention – when I see runners giving so much of themselves not only for the race but to others during the race. That’s awesome.
I haven’t done much spectating, but when I did I was loud and obnoxious. I was walking back on the course to meet my friend and cheering on all the 3+ hour half marathoners. I loved getting smiles out of them.
Now when I run and there are some good cheering spectators, I thank them.
Carrie@familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..Cactus Cooler
I never realized how important it was until I started running races. The smiles are the best part.
I love loud spectators because I often don’t have anyone on the course that I’m waiting to see so it’s nice to have strangers cheer you on. I especially like the ones handing out high-fives. I’m not super loud but I do cheer when I’m watching a race. And as a spectator I love when someone eleae is cheering loud be wise it makes me cheer louder too
That’s awesome you got to watch the NWM!
Jenny @ simply be me recently posted..Where do I go from here?
AMEN. I get so excited to see the determination on peoples’ faces. I’m a loud one.
And I also remember quite distinctly telling the crowd to cheer in a verrrrry similar way to you!! Looks like you had fun spectating!
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..Total Bookworm Moment
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who has yelled *at* the crowd
I am a loud one
I love watching people accomplish their goals, so how could I not loudly cheer them on!?
Dawn @ Dawnieslife recently posted..I Don’t Feel Like Going to the Gym Today
I’m usually the runner and not the spectator but what I love is a loud cheering section…I need it…when I’m down and mental, I need the push!
Kat recently posted..How I kicked the habit
I get loud! And I love it when people cheer me on. When I ran NYC several years ago it was an unbelievable experience. You start on the Verazzano (completely quite) and then hit Bay Ridge. All these kids were screaming, “You’re in Brooklyn, baby!” It was awesome!
Michelle recently posted..Does It Really Pay for Mom to Work?
Coming over the bridge into Bay Ridge is amazing as is coming off the Queensborough bridge into Manhattan. Seriously, those crowds keep you going!
I have yet to be a race spectator…but I assume when i actually get off my butt and go to one I will be load! Lol
Ed recently posted..Full Tilt Ice Cream Review
Now I remember why you are in Cali! Wish I could have been in the crowd with you! Would have been fun
. Hope you had a good time out here!
Ali recently posted..Cinnamon Banana Muffins
Yes! It would have been fun. I ended up having to travel to the Bay Area for work and decided to go out a couple of days early to see my family. I realized at the last minute that the NWM was the same weekend! I’m glad that I got a chance to watch a bit.
My friend and I decided we wanted to become wild spectators at an upcoming race!
It’s super encouraging and motivating when ppl are out cheering you on no matter if they know you or not!
Kierston recently posted..Part I ~ Meet The Girls of FFA!
I think that you would be awesome wild spectators!! I totally want you to come cheer me on!!
I hoot and holler! Pretty much make a fool of myself. I’ve also cried overcome with inspiration.
I’m a quiet person by nature, it’s my personality. I can’t help it. BUT My brother in law, sister in law and a friend of ours was running the disneyland half or something. I made signs for them and a “GO Stranger GO” sign. I got to the spot I told them I would be at about an hour or so before they would be there. I cheered for EVERYONE. I stayed until the LAST people went by. Everyone needed to be cheered on. Then a few weeks ago I was waiting for my husband after the LA Triathlon (he did the relay) and was near the finish line. It was almost dead quiet. It was hot, I get it, but these people just did a freakin Triathlon, you can cheer them on a little….I was cheering for everyone that came by and I could see their faces light up a little bit when they knew someone was cheering for them. I didn’t know them – its didn’t matter, the little encouragement in the heat at the end was needed.
I love this Cassie. I’m a quiet person by nature too but there’s just something about being out at a race and seeing how hard everyone is working that inspires me. And it totally doesn’t matter whether or not I know the person. I love that you made a Go Stranger Go sign too!
I’ve never been a spectator at a live race, but when I watched Mo Farah win the 10,000 meter race in the Olympics this summer I almost came out of my shoes screaming at the TV! What an amazing race!
Jonathan Aluzas recently posted..Food For Fitness: Turkey Pumpkin Chili
THAT was an incredible race. Yeah, I’ve been known to yell and scream at the TV too. My kids kind of look at me funny
Must be such a bummer to race past silent spectators. Love that you yelled at them to cheer! I would have been making noise, I promise you!
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..Good Jobbing Our Kids to Death
I agree! Having raced a bunch of races, I know how awesome it is to have fans cheering for you!! I think we all like the cheering – otherwise why put your name on your shirt?
As a spectator, it’s hard to NOT get excited and loud while watching a race live!!!
Michele @ NYC Running Mama recently posted..I Am A Domesticator
I would have said the same thing at Marine corps – LOL! I swear, it was the people on the streets of Philly that got me through my marathon! In return, I cheer a LOT. for EVERYONE. It counts for lot.
ilene recently posted..The Big Greasy Dinner
I’m a wildly cheering spectator, but I’ve never been sure if it’s appreciated, irritating, or just not a factor at all. Now that I see it really is encouraging and helpful, there will be no stopping me! (and I *love* that you told the crowd to cheer! Love it!) –Lisa
The Dose of Reality recently posted..It Is Now the Time…
It’s DEFINITELY appreciated it.
Love that you yelled at the crowd during your race! If you’re going to stand at the end of a race it is your duty to be loud! It is so wonderful to hear cheering!!! Gives the runners that extra energy!
Jess recently posted..Being Thrifty – good for not only the weight of your wallet!
I am not only a very vocal spectator( I totally embarrass my hubs)….I am a vocal cheerleader in the surf…as a matter of fact today this lady..Younger than I… was paddling for a wave and kept looking back..and I was telling her..don’t look back keep paddling..paddle paddle paddle you got this go you got it..and as she popped up I hooted and hollered and when she came back out.. I smiled and said.. I told you you got it.. I am better at calling other peoples waves than catching my own. HA!. but she said she really loved the encouragement and cheering…. It made her smile!
I absolutely love that you are a cheerleader in the surf. That doesn’t surprise me one bit. I get so excited when someone catches a wave and I love receiving the encouragement as well.
I lose my voice every single weekend after coaching my girls. I’m definitely a yeller. The parents of my girls can hear me in the stands opposite a high school football field over a crowd.
Kristen recently posted..Breast Cancer Awareness
I’m a crier. It’s just so powerful to see these people giving their HEARTS to this. Such dedication. I’m always amazed. Especially for the oldies as they cross the finish line. Of course, I’m still obnoxious and yelling “You’re incredible!” at the top of my (crying) voice!
Angi recently posted..Not-so-terrible Tweens
I completely agree – it is so powerful to see people giving so much out on the course. It’s hard not to get emotional.