What's with Americans falling down after the finish?

being someone who has fallen at the finish line, i was completely exhausted physically and i just wanted the pain in my legs to go away. so pretty much i just let go of everything and collapsed

I never fall down at the end of a race!

That was a slip....

Ramaala fell in NY

i see nothing wrong with falling down...you just ran hard enough...that's really all it means.

I once fell down in the middle of a bowling match. I was approaching the lane to bowl, my right foot caught on a sticky part of the floor and I fell down. This was very embarrassing, but I was allowed to bowl my frame and finish out the game. It took me many years to overcome this incredibly embarrassing event. I had to take a little bit of time away from the lanes. Did this affect my overall bowling prowess? I really think so. I think this unfortunate event may have kept me off 'The Tour'. This is something I have still not completely recovered from. Following this incident I was never able to post an average above 228. For this I am truly ashamed.

Now I run.

In all fairness to Mr. Cheerio, he slipped on the slick paint at the finish at Chicago. he wasn't doing a "Drama Queen" fall.

the verdict wrote:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/23/sports/23marathon.span.jpg

yes

If you saw the video, you'd see that he slipped and ate it at the finish. He didn't collapse.

Dire Tune at Boston though.

Your Mom falls in XC wrote:

the verdict wrote:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/23/sports/23marathon.span.jpg

yes

If you saw the video, you'd see that he slipped and ate it at the finish. He didn't collapse.

Dire Tune at Boston though.

Dear everyone responding to this with "OMG SO UNFAIR! HE LIK TOTES SLIPPED!!1":

You suck. Get a sense of humor.

Thanks,

Everyone who's not retarded

World cross 07 he didn't even make it that far, sh*t happens

Herb Lindsey wrote:

Have I missed the Africans doing the same thing?

I guess you didn't watch the Boston Marathon this year (women's race) or the Euro Cross Championships. There are two good examples of non-Americans of African discent collapsing at the finish line at major events just this year. Maybe you should think before you post Herbie.

I've never collapsed after a race, but I have thrown up after a race a few times. One time I ran 3000 meters after eating a Taco Del Mar fish burrito and smoothie about a half hour before, and that was rather unpleasant when it came back up.

"Why should you have enough left to be able to stand after a race?"

-Deena Kastor

Jacob Hernandez collapsed in the 2008 NCAA 800 as he held off a late charging Wheating.

Also, Solinsky collapsed in 2007 outdoor in that 5k when Rupp had a huge kick to beat him at Hayward field.

I think it's true more Americans collapse but I think it's because we have some really cool and dramatic races. Other countries don't have NCAAs or Footlocker. Those are dramatic races that often result in very dramatic finishes. I'm sure other countries have races where people collapse after but they're not broadcasted like they are in the USA.

Herb Lindsey wrote:

Have I missed the Africans doing the same thing?

the verdict wrote:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/23/sports/23marathon.span.jpg

yes

Slipped and fell while celebrating. Obviously different.

Kemboi, on the other hand, actually legitimately collapsed after winning the WC steeple this year.

I can't believe some of the dumb replies on this thread.

Its just the fashion for (nearly all girls) to fall over after the finish of ,say, an easy 6K XC. Guarantee absolutely none of these chicks are that tired - it's expected otherwise the coach thinks they're not trying hard enough. Duh.

"I guess you didn't watch the Boston Marathon this year (women's race) or the Euro Cross Championships. There are two good examples of non-Americans of African discent collapsing at the finish line at major events just this year. Maybe you should think before you post Herbie."

You guess I didn't watch the two examples you mentioned-and you quote my question in your reply? I'm guessing you are not too bright. You provide ample evidence that YOU should think before your post. But then again, the flaws in your reasoning indicate a limited ability, so we'll just have to hope you get a clue.

"...ok, so please let me know when Bekele 'runs hard enough' to be able to collapse at the finish line, ha!"

That has been my first thought when I see an American fall across the finish line. He's the only one with an excuse to fall after the finish. The other thing I think about is watching El G after his Olympic wins-he didn't really look that tired at all. He goes to his knees to pray, but really looks somewhat fresh.

I guess I understand someone diving in attempt to finish ahead of a competitor. I'm probably referring to the women who fall across the line en mass. It just looks a little much.

no way man. chicks have those heavy things on their chest that make them go palummmmkz and fall flat on their face when they get tired