Spectator Smoking During A High School XC Meet...Really????

It was standing in the start area of an XC meet. A minute or two, in between strides etc. As close as 10 or 15 feet. I was definitely more sensitive when I was younger, but I doubt I am the only one to have experienced this.

..."Jezzuzzz!!!", come on now, really???? Give the spectator a break! After all, it is outdoors.

And since they're not exhaling in your face, what's the diff?

Paul John wrote:

I smoke at meets. My choice. I also fire up my chainsaw at 6am on Saturdays and Sundays. I don't have anything to cut, I just love the sound of that big 77cc engine. The Commi neighbors complain, but its called FREEDOM baby! Don't tell me what to do. Don't like it then move to Iraq.

It is exactly because of people like you that this country has so many rules and regulations.

it's sad news when people can't tell the difference between Freedom and Anarchy!

Nobody tells you what to do in a free country.

Freedom Baby is telling you what you cannot do... because sadly enough not everyone is smart enough to have the sense of compassion and respect for his neighbors.

Running Patrol wrote:

It is exactly because of people like you that this country has so many rules and regulations.

it's sad news when people can't tell the difference between Freedom and Anarchy!

Nobody tells you what to do in a free country.

Freedom Baby is telling you what you cannot do... because sadly enough not everyone is smart enough to have the sense of compassion and respect for his neighbors.

Just to check, you are aware that Paul John's post was intended to be sarcastic, right?

We need regulations to prevent runners from expelling gas while racing or avoiding showers to stench out the competition.

And while we're at it we should eliminate pollen from outdoor events since it has been proven to trigger asthma attacks. Cut down and destroy anything that blooms within 10 miles of a track.

I'm not putting up with anything, and "It's all about ME!" as Walter White would say.

as long as he wasn't blowing it in your face don't worry about it. Don't be a busy-body.

God there are a lot of Nancy-boys on this thread.

At least he was at an xc meet. In China & Indonesia, runners stop and take smoke breaks during a marathon.

As we try to move the sport forward in a positive direction, what type of message does it send to high school athletes when spectator is smoking at their meet?

I would sure get pissed if I was finishing a race (or warming up for a race) and I could smell someone's secondhand smoke.

Running Patrol wrote:

Paul John wrote:

I smoke at meets. My choice. I also fire up my chainsaw at 6am on Saturdays and Sundays. I don't have anything to cut, I just love the sound of that big 77cc engine. The Commi neighbors complain, but its called FREEDOM baby! Don't tell me what to do. Don't like it then move to Iraq.

It is exactly because of people like you that this country has so many rules and regulations.

it's sad news when people can't tell the difference between Freedom and Anarchy!

Nobody tells you what to do in a free country.

Freedom Baby is telling you what you cannot do... because sadly enough not everyone is smart enough to have the sense of compassion and respect for his neighbors.

There is a compromise of freedom and regulations in this country. There has to be. Should people be allowed to drink alcohol while they are driving? NO. Perfect example where freedom has to be limited.

I saw a guy wearing a Boston Marathon shirt smoking on the sidewalk this morning in New York.

I wear my finisher T-shirts with pride! Coincidentally had one on this AM - so I gave him the evil eye.

I think this is just as bad as smoking at an XC meet.

I used to smoke 15 cigarettes per day while running 30:45 at Lehigh's 10K X-C Course. Not smart- but its out there ...and for spectators too.

truth.com wrote:

Yesterday I was at a high school cross country meet that was being held at a nearby forest preserve. During the meet, there was spectator (most likely a parent) that lit up a cigarette. I didn't feel like it was my place to say anything, but I couldn't help but think how inappropriate it was of him to start smoking. This got me thinking...

Given the nature of our sport (where it's not necessarily always on "school grounds"), should smoking be allowed at cross country meets?

your opinions suprise me wrote:

As we try to move the sport forward in a positive direction, what type of message does it send to high school athletes when spectator is smoking at their meet?

Message? I don't think there is any "message". The high school athlete may become aware that there are people that smoke. Unless they are incredibly naive they probably would have already been aware of that.

LP!!! wrote:

I saw a guy wearing a Boston Marathon shirt smoking on the sidewalk this morning in New York.

I wear my finisher T-shirts with pride! Coincidentally had one on this AM - so I gave him the evil eye.

I think this is just as bad as smoking at an XC meet.

Was the evil eye before or after you said "heavens to Betsy"? Did he give you the bitch-slap you deserve or just a wedgy? "Coincidently" had it on? You wear it every other day, it was a coin flip that you were wearing it that day and we all know you bought a ton of other memorabilia.

Should all smokers run their wardrobe choice past you?