Honestly, its a bit weird to toot your own horn. Inviting the mayor and expecting major network coverage for something you are doing for your own enjoyment is a little pretentious.
Its another thing if someone else recognizes your devotion, but weird to expect it. I just dont think its important, but nice that he foind a hobby he enjoys.
So this is basically the Boston version of Centennial Joe? Seems like they should hang out.
xcguest wrote:
Honestly, its a bit weird to toot your own horn. Inviting the mayor and expecting major network coverage for something you are doing for your own enjoyment is a little pretentious.
Its another thing if someone else recognizes your devotion, but weird to expect it. I just dont think its important, but nice that he foind a hobby he enjoys.
As noted in the article, he likely has Autism. We all view him in the same way one would view a senile grandparent or a 10 year who's really excited about something; he has his eccentricities and we love him for it. It would be viewed differently if he were a "normal" adult, but he's not.
xcguest wrote:
Honestly, its a bit weird to toot your own horn. Inviting the mayor and expecting major network coverage for something you are doing for your own enjoyment is a little pretentious.
Its another thing if someone else recognizes your devotion, but weird to expect it. I just dont think its important, but nice that he foind a hobby he enjoys.
Yes, but it seems he is somewhere on the spectrum, so these behaviors are not out of the ordinary. Before I read about his 'challenge', I also thought it was a bit weird and wondered what he did for a living to allow him to have the flexibility and freedom to attend all these mid-week XC meets. Aside from his collecting deposit bottles, he might be receiving state-aid. But at the end of the day, it is great he found a passion and it seems he is a nice guy.
I hope he makes it out to see CBA's 400th dual meet. That would be awesome.
Our sport needs fans like him.
I worked at the local newspaper in the early 2000s, and you could hear Mike the second he walked into the door with printouts of his new weekly standings. Every time, he was like this hurricane coming down the aisle, talking up the breaking news with this booming voice as if he'd just invented time travel or met God. It was something we looked forward to and something we dreaded all at once; "Mike, Mike, I don't have time to get into this with you. We're on deadline." But you couldn't help but marvel at his enthusiasm, for high school cross country of all things. And then minutes later, he'd leave, we'd all look at each other, shake our heads, share a snicker, and continue on. Unforgettable for better or for worse. I enjoyed our interactions most times. Congrats on #2000, Mike.
Article says he’s never been formally diagnosed as or with anything. So does he get by on his own? No caretakers or guardians? Great that he’s accepted by the local running community.
xcguest wrote:
Honestly, its a bit weird to toot your own horn. Inviting the mayor and expecting major network coverage for something you are doing for your own enjoyment is a little pretentious.
Its another thing if someone else recognizes your devotion, but weird to expect it. I just dont think its important, but nice that he foind a hobby he enjoys.
he suckered Gault to writing something...tells you something
centennial joe
either “you’re the right age!” or “bad age bad age”
We all know Bekele is the GOAT at running, well Mike Mahon is the GOAT at watching running
Brettwurst wrote:
I worked at the local newspaper in the early 2000s, and you could hear Mike the second he walked into the door with printouts of his new weekly standings. Every time, he was like this hurricane coming down the aisle, talking up the breaking news with this booming voice as if he'd just invented time travel or met God. It was something we looked forward to and something we dreaded all at once; "Mike, Mike, I don't have time to get into this with you. We're on deadline." But you couldn't help but marvel at his enthusiasm, for high school cross country of all things. And then minutes later, he'd leave, we'd all look at each other, shake our heads, share a snicker, and continue on. Unforgettable for better or for worse. I enjoyed our interactions most times. Congrats on #2000, Mike.
Sounds like the guy here on this forum who admires Marathon finishers so much.
Kobbs Hessler wrote:
A nice hobby for the local aspie. But what would you think about an adult male with no relative on the team who always came your high school meets and was obsessed with your stats? Yeah.
About the same as I what think about you and several other posters on these boards.
His FB page may be public. If so, you can get a sense the energy he brings with literally all things cross country, literally all the time, in his live interviews.
I ran track for Wayland Highschool in the 80's. I remember Mike at our Indoor meets helping with the Marion team. Great to see his passion and dedication for the sport has lasted so long. I saw him today at the TVL Showcase in Wrentham which led me to this story. Thanks for capturing his passion here.
Sorry, Zen Miler is way more of a superfan than this guy. Back when TrackTalk.net was up he would have the most accurate current/historical lists and assessments of all the teams around Wisconsin.
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