Marathon Cheering Signs

There's nothing like rounding an anonymous corner in a poorly-supported section of a big race to be confronted by a wild crowd cheering and screaming and brandishing hilarious signs. The kind of signs that make you smile, possibly laugh, strike up a conversation and remember that you used to belong to the human race. They are always a sublime blend of utter adulation, cruel mockery and shameless flirting, which to be honest sounds better than some nights out I've been on... I remembered this pleasing literary oeuvre a few weeks ago when the #marathoncheeringsigns hashtag was producing some absolute belters on Twitter.

Here are a few of my favourites, in no particular order (photos stolen from all over the place, sorry!):

All aboard the Pain Train!

I don’t even know you, but you’re my hero!

Looking for a man with great endurance.

From www.carlybananas.com

Why do all the pretty ones run away?

It’s not sweat, it’s your fat crying.

Good thing it’s not 26.3 miles because THAT would be insane.

From http://winnieyeo.blogspot.com 

Bet you wish Phidippides died at mile 20!

Cemetery ahead, look alive!

Worst. Parade. Ever.

From  http://3rdhouseparty.typepad.com 

Toenails are overrated.

Some day you won’t be able to do this. Today is not that day.

I got up really early to make this sign!

From http://femmebot.tumblr.com 

Your feet only hurt because you’re kicking so much ass!

Chuck Norris never ran a marathon.

I thought this was a 5k!

From www.andherlittledogtoo.com

Bet this seemed like a good idea 6 months ago!

Today is your ‘some day’.

You paid £45 for THIS!?

Happy cheering

Dave

2012 to date: miles run - 45.27, miles biked: 15.4, metres swum: 750

Be Seen Don't Die

A few days ago, driving home from work, I pulled out of a side street onto the main road and nearly killed a cyclist.

Reflective man: not dead

Those are horrible, awful words to write. The evenings are very dark at the moment, and this cyclist was wearing dark clothes, with no front-facing lights on his bike and no helmet. I only saw him because he passed through the headlights of another car waiting to pull onto the road. I slammed on the brakes and he swerved, almost into oncoming traffic, in the nick of time. He gave me the finger and ploughed on into the night, living to die another day.

The old ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ slogan doesn’t go far enough for me. ‘Be Seen Don’t Die’ would probably get the message across better. Being as I am hugely in favour of people cycling, walking and running their commute, I must in the same breath be hugely in favour of reflective and hi-vis gear for everyone doing these things, in addition to helmets as a matter of course for cyclists. I was asked recently why I wear my bike helmet even for laughably short journeys and for cycling on bike paths (as opposed to roads). I replied that I have to wear it because I am horribly allergic to brain damage.

When I run at night you will see me with at least one, often two sets of lights (red flashing LEDs on my rucksack or ankle and sometimes a headtorch if going anywhere without streetlights), as well as a hi-vis and reflective jacket. I wear light colours and even have reflective strips on my gloves. All that and I’m only using pavements and footpaths for the majority of the time.

For cyclists, it is required by law to have both white front and red rear lights when cycling at night. I’m starting to think that the something similar should apply to runners – at least a hi-vis requirement. If as a cyclist you’re not using lights, not only are you committing a crime but are endangering your life and possibly other people’s. What a stupid and reckless way to behave.

It’s so simple and obvious to me. I don’t want to die under the wheels of a bus in pursuit of a few seconds shaved off a PB.

I run because... is happy to endorse not dying pointlessly. Glad I could clear that up.

Happy running

Dave

2012 to date: miles run - 16.3, miles biked: 6.4, metres swum: 750