General Discussion Triathlon Talk » What words encourage/discourage you while racing? Rss Feed  
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2009-04-27 4:45 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Champion
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
Personalization rocks...good call on that.


2009-04-27 5:46 PM
in reply to: #2113825

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Master
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Ann Arbor, Michigan
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

I agree with much of what's been said but my number one peeve:

  • You're almost there! the last mile of a mary will never feel like "almost there" imho
  • Like personalization if my name is on my bib
  • always like the "you look great" even if I don't

 

2009-04-27 6:55 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Veteran
243
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Glendale, California
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

I love it all.  Anything will do.

Probably the only exception was when my daughter was 5 yo and cheering me on during my second tri . . . I was the first female out of T2 because I was in the second swim heat. My daughter said, "Mommy, run faster" as my legs became mired in sand, realizing for the first time we were going to be running on the beach.

2009-04-27 7:02 PM
in reply to: #2113524

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Expert
1019
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
shelly123 - 2009-04-27 3:26 PM Encouragement is always great, but saying to someone "you are almost home!" when on the first loop of a two loop course just sucks!

I HATE that!
2009-04-27 7:04 PM
in reply to: #2114064

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Elite
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Quebec, Canada
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
Run like an animal

Cool 
2009-04-27 7:08 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Expert
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Muncie, IN
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
At the Indy 500 Mini-Marathon, "You're ALL Kenyans!" and "Jack Bauer just passed you"  (from 24)

And during one of the training runs, there was a lady at an intersection who was dancing and cheering and just generally being silly that made me smile....because she had been doing that for an hour and a half!


2009-04-27 7:15 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Expert
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Chicagoland
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

At St. A's this weekend, I heard "great job, # 2268", "There's beer at the finish", or "hey, chicago".  that did it for me!  I don't have my game face on, or in the zone, I was just looking for mile 6!  If they can say that to me, I will always say thank you to those who are volunteering.  That is what makes me love the triathlon community, not the people who never said "on your left" when they almost clipped me or the people who pushed my bike and all my stuff off the bike rack or the people continually about the poor swimmers being the reason the swim was cancelled.  It was the little girl and her brother who had their own water station and insisted on getting me a glass.  It was the lady spraying me with her lawn hose!  Thanks, I'll be back next year!

2009-04-27 7:31 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Master
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Olney, MD
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

I love when kids stand on the side of the road with their hands out.  I always slap their hands as I'm running by.

2009-04-27 9:50 PM
in reply to: #2114079

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Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
Afletcher - 2009-04-27 6:08 PM
And during one of the training runs, there was a lady at an intersection who was dancing and cheering and just generally being silly that made me smile....because she had been doing that for an hour and a half!


If you like that you should come run the Bolder Boulder.  This year route entertainment (28 acts over the 6.2 miles!) includes Ms. TuTu with her "enthusiastic dancing".  Should be a crack up! 
2009-04-28 8:27 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Expert
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Apex, NC
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

I like calling them out by their race shirt or hat..."Nice job, Kerr Lake" (of course, last year's was a hideous color!), their bib number..."Good job 147", things like that.  Honestly, I just did Shamrock Marathon in March, and I can't remember a single phrase except "Good job, William" that someone said about mile 12.  Oh, well, I do recall someone else saying "Dang, they're flying" as we were passing some of the half-marathoners near the end.

2009-04-28 8:34 AM
in reply to: #2114122

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
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Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
vball03umd - 2009-04-27 7:31 PM

I love when kids stand on the side of the road with their hands out.  I always slap their hands as I'm running by.


X2, this is the best!


2009-04-28 8:35 AM
in reply to: #2113547

Extreme Veteran
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Lakeland, FL
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
ChrisM - 2009-04-27 3:35 PM Honesty is always a good policy.

"Dude, you look like crap...."

"Hurry up, all the food will be gone at this pace!!"

"Seriously?  You let that girl beat you?  Seriously????"

"You call that running?"


You forgot HTFU
2009-04-28 8:37 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Expert
1226
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Chicago
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
I tend to like things along the lines of cat calling...you know, the "construction worker whistle" and what not. When I'm spectating and volunteering I'll do stuff like that, or compliment how their rear looks in spandex, or ask them what they're doing later that night, or jokingly ask for their phone number. Randomness mostly to get a small smile.
2009-04-28 8:40 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
We need more cowbell.
2009-04-28 8:43 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Elite
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Raleigh
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
It wasn't a tri, but rather a ride across Mass. for the Pan Mass Challenge. More than 97% of the money goes to Childrens Hospital in Boston and the event raises over 20 Million dollars a year!

About 40 miles in on the second day, at a rest stop there was a young boy holding a sign that read "I am 4 because of you!" and the "4" was crossed out and it said "5" in red. Made me cry, but I was so glad I was doing what I was doing. No pain I suffered during the ride was as bad as what the kids endured. So I try to keep in mind the organization that the event supports.

2009-04-28 8:57 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Pro
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Norwalk, Connecticut
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
i love the kids and cowbells, if they can be out there high fiving and ringing those things for an hour or better, the least i can do is slap their hands and smile and put a little more effort into it for them.



2009-04-28 9:11 AM
in reply to: #2114971

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Master
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Small Town
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
DougRob - 2009-04-28 9:43 AM It wasn't a tri, but rather a ride across Mass. for the Pan Mass Challenge. More than 97% of the money goes to Childrens Hospital in Boston and the event raises over 20 Million dollars a year!

About 40 miles in on the second day, at a rest stop there was a young boy holding a sign that read "I am 4 because of you!" and the "4" was crossed out and it said "5" in red. Made me cry, but I was so glad I was doing what I was doing. No pain I suffered during the ride was as bad as what the kids endured. So I try to keep in mind the organization that the event supports.



Man up, but that would have made me cry too.

I like hearing my bib# called out, or anything that personalizes the encouragement.  I appreciate volunteers as much as anyone, but I also know that they are saying the same thing to the next person.

I'm also highly encouraged when I hear something that makes me laugh... last year a coworker who [finished way ahead of me] called out 'Run Harder Beefcake!'
2009-04-28 9:20 AM
in reply to: #2114971

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Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
DougRob - 2009-04-28 7:43 AM It wasn't a tri, but rather a ride across Mass. for the Pan Mass Challenge. More than 97% of the money goes to Childrens Hospital in Boston and the event raises over 20 Million dollars a year!

About 40 miles in on the second day, at a rest stop there was a young boy holding a sign that read "I am 4 because of you!" and the "4" was crossed out and it said "5" in red. Made me cry, but I was so glad I was doing what I was doing. No pain I suffered during the ride was as bad as what the kids endured. So I try to keep in mind the organization that the event supports.



I would have been a boohooing mess and probably crashed my bike. 

During our winter trainer sessions my coach would encourage us to "leave it all here" in other words you can't take the effort home with you and even now running or riding in training I'll repeat that mantra to myself.  If I heard someone on the course (although it better be toward the end) yell that to me I'd probably laugh first then pick up the pace.
2009-04-28 9:33 AM
in reply to: #2113478

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Master
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syracuse
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
actually, the best thing to say while volunteering, is no motivation at all....

I want to know whats coming up on the course.  "Stay right."  "Sharp turn ahead about .5 mile up."

I volunteered at a race last year and was right where runners were leaving T2 and runners were coming back from the run to finish.  Runners coming back had to turn L, down a small hill, towards the finish, and it was a blind corner (couldnt see runners leaving T2).  I found telling both runners (coming and going) to stay left coming back into the park/leaving the park was much more appreciated than, "finish strong" or "looking good."  It avoided several collisions and allowed those attempting to finish to hold their pace.

just a thought.....



Edited by cusetri 2009-04-28 9:35 AM
2009-04-28 9:58 AM
in reply to: #2113478

New user
73
2525
Collegeville
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

I like the personalization aspect that many have mentioned. Having someone I didn't know specify me gave me a lift. Calling out a race number with an "atta athlete" is short and sweet -  "atta way to work 5-2-7".


Ed
2009-04-28 10:16 AM
in reply to: #2113547

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Expert
1121
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Chicago
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
ChrisM - 2009-04-27 2:35 PM Honesty is always a good policy.

"Dude, you look like crap...."

"Hurry up, all the food will be gone at this pace!!"



The only drawback with those is that I'd probably start laughing and snort Gu or Gatorade out my nose.


2009-04-28 2:37 PM
in reply to: #2113772

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Official BT Coach
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Englewood, CO
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?

At the Bolder Boulder last year some hippy looking dude looked right at my son, wife and I and said,

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions, get movin slackers!"  I laughed my off!  Best line I ever heard.

2009-04-28 2:46 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Master
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Southern Ontario
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
Whooohooo!
Way to go!
Great job!

Actually - just people smiling and making eye contact makes me feel better.  Like I'm not all alone out there - cause sometimes you get a little tunnel-vision and it feels that way.

I always say thanks and smile to the volunteers!! I really appreciate all they do and I'm sure that not everyone is smiley and wonderful during their day...

My favourite - although this doesn't work for volunteers - my brother and I were racing the same sprint.  He hit the turnaround on the bike before me (obviously) and on his way back yelled "Stef is my hero!"  I laughed so hard I almost fell off the bike.  Still makes my day thinking about it! *giggling*
2009-04-28 6:42 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Master
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Almaden Valley, San Jose, California
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
Someone yelled 'nice a*#' at the Napa Marathon and it made me grin for 3 miles!!  Especially since I knew my husband was miles ahead!

Cool
2009-04-28 7:29 PM
in reply to: #2113478

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Elite
2796
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Texas
Subject: RE: What words encourage/discourage you while racing?
I was coming in on the run with about a mile to go at my first IM 70.3 back in 2006. One of the female pro triathletes gave me a "woo hoo you look great 525!"

Never mind the fact that she lied. That was cool.
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