For the most part, I really do
think Ultra Marathons are changing for the better. However, there is a lot of
talk on some of the negatives that have come with the growth of the sport from
lotteries to ultras losing their original charm. To be honest though, there is
only one real problem I have noticed. For some reason a select few runners (definitely not the majority) feel that it is
acceptable to talk negatively about other runners in an unacceptable manner.
This saddens me as when I first began this beautiful sport, I always heard that
trail/ ultra runners are nice people. I really do believe that this is still true;
some runners are just forgetting their manners. (I hope that doesn't sound lame
but I’m really trying to make this as non-offensive as I can.)
This topic has been on my mind for
quite awhile now but I finally felt the need to openly express my thoughts
after a recent experience.
Sage, my wonderful, good-natured boyfriend was
running the Tarawera 100k. At one point he got a 20 minute lead over the 2
nd
place Timothy Olson. I was of course informed of this because I had my
computer open to the
irunfar live coverage all night. As I watched the comments
come up on the live coverage, someone started suggesting that Sage was using
drugs to enhance his performance! This person obviously has no idea who Sage is
as a person, and I immediately felt hurt for Sage who gets upset whenever he
hears about an athlete taking drugs. (I would like to thank the MANY
people who immediately defended Sage.)
Now, I’m not saying I’m against drug
tests. I have to face the facts that it one day may become necessary in ultras,
BUT it is by no means okay that someone who doesn't know Sage suggests he, or any other elite runner, takes drugs. That job is specifically for the people
in charge of the race or organizations like USATF.
Soon after the drug comment, a few
people mentioned that they were disappointed in the coverage. It’s expensive to
fly to New Zealand! We’re lucky someone was covering it at all. Unfortunately,
Bryon isn't God (though us ultra runners are very thankful for him), and can’t
be everywhere on the course at once. He even took a boat for us viewers to get
to one of the far aid stations! That’s dedication.
Why must some runners always have
to assume the worst in others or go into a post trying to find something
negative? Would people still make the same comments if they had to show their
faces? My examples above are just a couple of many where a select few people
have to take a blow at the positive ultra-runner image.
After thinking about this topic
alone, I wanted to talk about it with my twin sister
Rachel, as she normally has
some great insights. Here are her thoughts:
“It is possible that much of this
negativity came about through social media. It doubled the number of people in
the sport, including people who just got into it without a real "why"
and those who have remained chosen to remain unaffected by the sports ability
to allow for deeper thinking. So it is interesting as more research is reported
on the health, happiness, and even intellectual benefits of spending time in
nature for long periods of time that negative people are still involved in
ultra running. On the other hand, I know some of the top ultra runners out there
have simply used ultra running as another addiction or a way to cover up other
feelings. Another theory would be that there were always negative people in the
sport, they just increased as the sport did, and social media gave them the
ability to type their negative comments without being known.”
(Told you she was insightful. She really
brought up some great discussion topics.)
Some of the negative comments
people are making are just ridiculous and hurtful. An elite woman ultra-runner
won a 100 and wrote in her blog about the technical sections of the course.
Someone commented that Krissy Moehl wouldn't have complained about the rocks
(I’m sure Krissy wouldn't have appreciated this either). Why couldn't this
person just congratulate her on her win? Is it that hard to appreciate the
struggles of other people or that it’s very easy to trip over your own feet at
the end of a 100, let alone rocks?
Then I read a comment about some of
the elite ultra-runners no longer being authentic. They are giving up financial
stability to live their dreams of running and exploring the mountains. They are
following their hearts and passions. Who is anyone to say that isn't authentic?
I’m not asking everyone to agree
with what people have to say, but everyone can at least try to put their words
in a way that is less offensive. It is possible to state an opinion without
bringing down someone else. Not trying to be mushy, but it’s important to
consider other people’s feelings. We need to try to lift people up, not look
for silly reasons to bring them down- unless someone is getting a little too
cocky. Then maybe we can nicely tell them their legs will soon not be able to
run fast under the weight of their head.
  |
| (Top) The Animal Camp and friends. (Bottom) On top of the CDT before a group run with some of the nicest people this sport has to offer. Proof the majority of ultra-runners are great people! |
I realize some people may be
thinking “toughen up” and sites like Letsrun.com seem to make it acceptable
that road runners can be closely scrutinized.
We however, are ULTRA-RUNNERS! We stick together because we are banded
together by our uphill struggles, and the fun we have together running through
beautiful nature. I know life can make it easy to always first find the
negative in people, but as ultra-runners, we know we get more out of doing the
harder things in life, like always trying to find the positives in people.
Ultra-Runners are known for being
great people. Let’s keep it that way.
Run Wild, Live Happy,
Sandi
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato
