Jogging Memories

Unusually, I was the spectator, rather than participant, in a recent running/jogging/walking event.  It was refreshing to be there, and take in the buzz and energy of the event without enduring the discomfort and unease of maximum effort exercise.  It was also fun to get a full glimpse of what goes on around and within the ranks of participants, filling the full spectrum of personality.

Competing rather well in a full marathon distance run were:

Punkathon

Mennonthon (check the gent and his wife wearing jeans, boots, suspenders, backpack and requisite mustache-less beard)

Buzzathon (runner who likes to dress like a honeybee)

Poohathon / BlackedOutAnonymousManathon

Insprirathon (runners in a local charity to raise funds for clean water access in Africa)

RegularJoeathon

RunnerWithSpouseWhoWalksHisCatathon

Ninjletathon

 Watching the competitors rather than watching the stopwatch felt luxurious.  It's really a great experience to help support those undertaking the nearly impossible to succeed, knowing that humanity supports them, even as complete strangers.  It stands as one of the ever more rare situations where people drop boundaries and simply openly support others. Support for choice of clothing for certain racers was tough to give however, as the whole range of personality is exhibited in the choice of clothing for the event.  From pictures alone, one would face difficulty in determining whether it was 100 degrees outside or 10.  It would be tough to figure out what was at the end of the race as well -   A beach? A dance club? A pole barn build party?

Entertaining,surprising, impressing, inspiring...sign up for a race as a spectator soon!