Why Therapists (and politicians) Are Lousy Race Directors

My running buddy and I lead a group run up Lookout Mountain Road every Thanksgiving Morning.

It's 4.75 miles of calf-crushing, lung-burning joy to the top.....with 1600 feet of elevation gain to boot.

Nothing like stimulating the gag-reflex to usher in Thanksgiving!

We've been hosting this come all, come early, choke-and-puke event for six years.

The requirements to attend are pretty simple.......get laced up at Beverly Heights Park at 6am.

..........and then run......walk......or crawl until you hit Buffalo Bill's Grave at the top.

Oh yeah....no leaving anybody behind.

Ever.

Egos and PR ambitions are to be left at home today.

Because this morning, we're all in this together.

The group is pretty simple......friends.....friends of friends.......current and past co-workers...... and anybody invited by anybody with the guts, grits and cajones to participate. 

The group gets bigger each year.

It also gets better.

Because great running partners do something that therapists and politicians are unable to do:

Bring people together.

Even people with nothing in common.

Except when running.

Then they have EVERYTHING in common.

I marvel at how many runners I have learned from......and shared the trails with.......whom I know have completely different world views than my own.

But on the trails.......in those early hours before the meetings and emails .....it just doesn't matter to any of us who voted for Mitt.......or bought the million dollar home............ or who missed church last week. 

Indeed, running is the great class equalizer.

Whether you are the CFO or the 19-year old single mom.......

The trails are an "equal opportunity employer!"

Running partners are like families.......

.....but without the dysfunction.

Perhaps it's because religion and politics are seldom discussed.......

.....and personal discussions never leave the trails.

For most running relationships, the runners get together.........set big goals........ hold each other accountable........ and support and encourage one another when the weather gets rough.

Because the weather always get rough. 

This is what families do.

Perhaps the next Secretary of State should not be a diplomat...... 

.......but a race director.

She could organize a MARATHON for regions of the world where diplomacy has failed.

Just think of the race tees........"I survived the Axis of Evil" Marathon!"

It looks like the weather is going to cooperate for our Thanksgiving run tomorrow.

Cold temps but sunny skies.

Another record turnout I suspect.

Perhaps Bob and I will make it an official race event next year.........

It would be a lot of fun.

And bring people together.

Better get working on those tees.

AMJ