Yeah, I wish I could have a little bit more fun, like Engels, or like his public image indicates, anyway. In many ways, I think "good for him" for enjoying his many opportunities to make light of his experiences and embrace life - the good and the bad - when so many around us seem to have personal rain clouds over their heads that turn into raging downpours after life's worst moments.
However, does a smile and a laugh really indicate what the man is thinking and feeling in more recent times after finishing 4th in the Olympic Trials and second in the Falmouth Elite Mile, and then after clowning around at the finish of the B mile on hallowed ground in Eugene? MAYBE. Maybe his media hype doesn't reveal the true follow-up to disappointment, and that he seethes in anger and even wallows despair behind closed doors after each defeat or missed opportunity.
Is Engels really going to love the fact that his antics at the end of last night's mile will immortalize him on YouTube, where some enterprising videographer will shortly make use of the episode to illustrate showboating and "how to celebrate too early"? Craig Engels, on YouTube alone, will have his notoriety FOREVER. Sure hope he's happy. Sure hope it's worth downing a few brewskis over, accompanied by hearty belly laughs and backslaps.