As far as I can remember, I've been running in this event for oh, off and on more than 10 years. I ran in both 5K and the Half. This year, I thought I ease into a 5K. It was one of my first runs I participated in when I first moved to San Francisco.
Today was no exception in terms of the attendance, but the weather was ideal. Forecasters expected temperature to reach a high of 70 in the City. Mark, my partner told me to remember to have fun and I did. But it dawned on me how the people who today participates in this event or any running event in the new decade. I lined my self up in the 5K group at the start line and noticed to my left, right and practically everyone around me had either a a smart phone, cell phone, ear plugs to music, etc in total use. Oblivious to what really was around them.
I started noticing this a little in the last few runs I've done but today, everyone was in total disconnection. The reason why I'm bringing this up is that I was so much in a good mood alone, I wanted to share some conversation or connection with my fellow runners. Earlier, when I boarded the bus shuttle to the start line my neighbor was already on the phone calling someone to see if they could provide him with some safety pins for his bib. Couldn't he just asked me to see if I knew? I'm the closest human being who might know, if not, I could at least direct him.
This is a yearly event and well run by a huge sponsor and backing, the registration tables would definitely have an answer to his question.
The running community unfortunately has changed and reluctantly I must change my attitude. When I started running it was a way to clear my mind, take in the setting and hopefully meet people along the way. Wasn't this whole event suppose to do this? Maybe I've been blind to all this happening but come on, if people really need to connect wouldn't this be the best route?
I came to this run with my running gear, bib, correct shoes, etc and with it a thirst for camaraderie to ring in 2011. Did not find, until after the event.
As I walked back to my bike at the Beach Chalet restaurant, I simply walked up to a woman up close and said, "Did you have great run?", and conversation flowed, she seemed to be open to conversation and I was careful to keep it light and friendly, maybe this might be my saving grace, not be too uptight with the reality of things but savor what you can at this point and end on a positive note.
Running shouldn't be another task in life, I say enjoy.
By the way, my running results wasn't too bad after all. Finished in under 30 minutes, thank goodness!
5K Results
Today was no exception in terms of the attendance, but the weather was ideal. Forecasters expected temperature to reach a high of 70 in the City. Mark, my partner told me to remember to have fun and I did. But it dawned on me how the people who today participates in this event or any running event in the new decade. I lined my self up in the 5K group at the start line and noticed to my left, right and practically everyone around me had either a a smart phone, cell phone, ear plugs to music, etc in total use. Oblivious to what really was around them.
I started noticing this a little in the last few runs I've done but today, everyone was in total disconnection. The reason why I'm bringing this up is that I was so much in a good mood alone, I wanted to share some conversation or connection with my fellow runners. Earlier, when I boarded the bus shuttle to the start line my neighbor was already on the phone calling someone to see if they could provide him with some safety pins for his bib. Couldn't he just asked me to see if I knew? I'm the closest human being who might know, if not, I could at least direct him.
This is a yearly event and well run by a huge sponsor and backing, the registration tables would definitely have an answer to his question.
The running community unfortunately has changed and reluctantly I must change my attitude. When I started running it was a way to clear my mind, take in the setting and hopefully meet people along the way. Wasn't this whole event suppose to do this? Maybe I've been blind to all this happening but come on, if people really need to connect wouldn't this be the best route?
I came to this run with my running gear, bib, correct shoes, etc and with it a thirst for camaraderie to ring in 2011. Did not find, until after the event.
As I walked back to my bike at the Beach Chalet restaurant, I simply walked up to a woman up close and said, "Did you have great run?", and conversation flowed, she seemed to be open to conversation and I was careful to keep it light and friendly, maybe this might be my saving grace, not be too uptight with the reality of things but savor what you can at this point and end on a positive note.
Running shouldn't be another task in life, I say enjoy.
By the way, my running results wasn't too bad after all. Finished in under 30 minutes, thank goodness!
5K Results
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