Things you see and hear again and again at cross country meets

"You gotta get out!!!"...dumbest thing ever. I actually had a D1 college coach (actually a reputable distance running school) tell my sons, who ran for him, that "running even/negative splits is p*ssy high school running". Apparently, the way the human physiology works changes between high school and college.

Actually, I find that high school kids respond to any cheering that's positive, no matter what is said or makes sense/not. Most kids pick it up when yelling/cheering people are around. Go back in the woods where all there are is crickets/frogs, and you see how different they respond.

As a high school coach, I appreciate any parents coming out and having the enthusiasm to support the kids. What truly baffles me is that probably 60% of kids have parents I've never even met or seen all season. I just don't get that.

A few things. The risk averse parents that freak out about everything. "They are going to trip and break one their ankles on the roots! With that many in a race, somebody will fall and get trampled! They should not run on roads. Somebody will get killed! I don't know why they have these huge meets. Look at all these tents! These kids run too much. It will hurt them!" So on and so forth.

Then that slow guy that always says the lead runners go out too fast, while he plods along with a 5:30 first mile and aims for the negative split. I had a high school teammate that always criticized my running style. He beat me once in four years.

The overly official official that goes on way too long at the start line about running a clean race.

Gotta have the superfans that show up to post season meets with body paint, flags, costumes, and run all over the place. Gotta love those kids.

I am surprised that no one said anything about all the runners collapsing through the chute. There is always at least one person who needs help to stand after the race is over.

Girls crying after the race. It's not a real race unless some girl is crying after the race.

And who could forget the over zealous official - ranting and over-reacting in the bluster of his authority.

Sounds like a fun project to me. Lots of ready material.

yeah, the girl crying or "passing out" at the finish is a must have ('cause you GOT to have drama right?)

Best thing I've ever heard somebody yell at me:

I'm coming around this corner in 2nd place with about 800 to go and I see this coach from a track club that I know. His guys are far back but since I know him and it's the NE Regionals, he's super excited. He starts yelling:

"Let your lower lip HANG! Let your LOWER LIP HANG!"

Apparently, I needed to relax a bit...

Of the many things that immediately came to mind, three were already mentioned: girls crying after their race, the pity clap for last place, and parents smoking.

Two things I always see that were not yet mentioned:

Someone always brings a dog on one of those annoying really long leashes. It is usually a large majestic purebred, and they merely brought it to show it off and to call attention to themselves.

Also, there are always two guys throwing a football around, also annoying because neither can throw or catch.

I was at a major D1 school back in the day and head coach had a family issue to deal with so sent us up to Franklin Park with the Assistant track coach. Sure he had never been to a cross country meet before. He was running around the field yelling splits at us at all kinds of crazy spots. I guess I PR'd at 1.69, 2.45, 4.34 miles that day. Not sure what we were supposed to do with that info?

when you see the fools trying to kick a soccer ball around as the freshman race is going on.

EZ10Miler wrote:

"- Out of shape parents making self-deprecating jokes about their tendency to fatigue while simply DRIVING 5K"

I think there was a line like that in Once a Runner. 10 miles? I couldn't run 10 feet har har har. The first time I read it I instantly remembered the dozens of times I'd heard the same thing.

it was much more frequent with the HS girls, but it always bothered me when runners let up about 10 m before the finish line and walked/jogged across the finish line.

Equally annoying was seeing runners just stop moving once they had crossed the finish line and not walk through the chute. That would always screw up results at big invites.

CrossFan wrote:Actually, I find that high school kids respond to any cheering that's positive, no matter what is said or makes sense/not. Most kids pick it up when yelling/cheering people are around. Go back in the woods where all there are is crickets/frogs, and you see how different they respond.

As a high school coach, I appreciate any parents coming out and having the enthusiasm to support the kids.

+1

Lots of cheering is dumb and makes little sense. But that's really not the point. What matters is enthusiasm. Which the parents that yell dumb negative things at their kids don't seem to get.

I love yelling drop the hammer.

The only time I was ever told "Don't let this guy pass you" I immediately got passed.

An hour of awards for every possible permutation of sub-groups after the race. Or two hours. God help us.

Some guy running around the course whistling really shrilly right in my ear..he always finds me. I don't know who that guy is but man he annoys me.

Girls crying after their race

Will you shower with me after the race?

Utah, get me TWO!.

"Lean down the hill!" This could be followed by a huge pileup of athletes once they take the advice and all faceplant.

"Pump your arms!"