Words of encouragement or "jerkish" comments in a race (Page 4)

During my 1st tri (sprint), I was having lower back spasms during the the run and had to stop and stretch my back from time to time. Somewhere near the last half mile @ BOP w/ noone else around, one SOB spectator yelled "Run Fat Boy, Run!".  (Yea I'm a clyde). I couldn't identify exactly who made the remark and I'm sure it wasn't intended as encouragement. I did finish by running with a sprint at the line.  DFL in AG, but finished.
I'm not a violent person but I contemplated making an exception in this case!!  

I passed a guy on the run in my AG who was wearing an Oklahoma State cycling jersey. As I passed him I said, "Come on, don't let a Longhorn beat you." After the race I sought him out to make sure he knew my comments were in jest. His reply after I told him that I was having fun, "Y'all beat us in football every year. Why not triathlon?" Good sense of humor on that guy.

I passed another guy in my AG and as I passed him I said, "You're in my age group. I MUST CRUSH YOU!"

The run is where I hit my stride; I've been only passed twice (freak 6-6 50ish man and top woman finisher). I get the usual comments of "Keep it up," but one is the best..."Nice calves."

Never have encountered any jerk activity and I hope I never do because I turn into Woodrow Call when there's rude behavior in a man.

I was in the second wave of beginner women last night, so the men started after us.  They started passing me during the bike portion since I had some technical difficulties in T1 (and a slow swim). 

Almost every single one of them said things like "Good job!" as they blew my doors off. 
I LOVED it!  I was feeling like I was in their way, but instead I felt encouraged. 

My favorite of course was my kids cheering like I was about to win Gold or something.

Since it was my first tri, it left me with a very favorable opinion of the sport and the people in it.  I like the supportive atmosphere.

There are some great and some horrid comments on this thread!

Last year I was doing my first organized sporting event in many, many years which was a 2 day mountain bike event in Winter Park Colorado called the Fat Tire Classic.  I'd only had about a month to prepare so it really was pushing my abilities and I was doing it alone.  About 3/4 of the way through the first day (having already ridden farther than I'd ever ridden before) I stopped at a rest stop, ate a bit, bandaged a couple of blisters, refilled my water and got ready to head back on the trail.  One of the volunteers said it was downhill from there which it appeared to be from that little spot in the trees.  Except that going around about 2 more bends there was a nasty hill with switchbacks.  Not only did I have to get off and walk but I had an asthma attack as well.  I nearly turned around knowing I'd have to go back up it to tell the stupid volunteer that that was not nice!  I'll never trust another volunteers assessment of the upcoming course after that. 

During my first Sprint tri this summer in Southern Utah, there's a steep long hill just before the turnaround point.  I come up on a group of 4 or 5 guys and we're all moving at what seemed to be a snails pace.  I look over at them and say "Good times huh?" just to lighten the moment a little since we were all hurting at this point.  Not one of them responded.   They probably thought "Great, another wise guy making comments while I'm trying to concentrate."  I passed a guy about a mile into the run and said "Nice job man" and he responds with a "you too, keep going strong."  Amazing how a simple exchange of words gave me a boost of energy and helped me pick up the pace. 

Not so much a comment as an action.
My first Tri was a Sprint in Richmond with a snake swim start based on estimated times.
The guy that took first place completed the course in well under an hour.
When he was done he came back to the swim start and was clapping and cheering those of us still in line waiting our turn.

Triathlons are full of great people. The encouragement we give each other is what it's all about. If everyone could just give words of encouragement throughout their regular day, the world may be in a better place today ( I know kind of corny but it's Monday).