I have managed to even bore myself with my blog.
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The ultimate prize in long distance running is an Olympic gold medal. I think that is a solid assumption. All of us toil to get as close as we can to that goal. Obviously, only a very few will reach it, but most of us are still motivated by reaching the highest rung on the ladder that is beneath the Gold. The Gold is at the top. Is the ladder/pinnacle image thing working for you? I could have used a mountain or something. I think my point is made, syntax notwithstanding.
So we want to go to the uhlympics!
(initial disclaimer, I refuse to do any research short of an occasional wikipedia check)
To many, the Olympics have come to represent a huge entertainment/marketing vehicle. Loads of money are spent in the 8 years prior to a games to prepare a host city for onslaught of athletes, media, and corporate types. Once everyone is there and billions are spent preparing, the games are kicked off with the most spectacular of events - The opening ceremony.
Each olympiad, the host city does is damndest to outdo all the other host cities prior with their bombastic and symbol-laden opening ceremony. They try to display the talents of their artists and athletes as best possible with wild stunts, as well as often ham-fisted homages to the indigenous people of the country, as if this makes up for everything.
Now, to an actual point-
I can think of no event that needs this kind of crap less.
After the ridiculously over-the-top, excessive, overdone opening ceremony, the next two weeks will be filled with the greatest displays of athleticism anyone has seen in at least four years and won’t see again for another. I believe that is more than enough entertainment and intrigue. Millions of dollars spent on a four hour interpretive dance and drumming festival are wasted when compared to something like Bob Beamon breaking the long jump WR by near two feet or Billy Mills stunning finish in the 1964 10k. Try to watch the latter without getting a chill. I just got one thinking about it.
London plans to spend $121 million dollars on its opening and closing ceremonies. I don’t pretend to know where that’s coming from, but I’m sure it’s not being recouped in sales of plush versions of these stupid things. There were riots in the streets last year because of government austerity programs going into effect. Are we all insane?
I want to plead for something reasonable here
Lets have the parade of athletes and some speeches and stuff. Then lets say thanks for coming, good luck, and let the athletes go get some sleep and not overload their senses. They have a lot to do in the coming days.
-------Let’s change the subject completely--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ultimate prize in long distance running is an Olympic gold medal. I think that is a solid assumption. All of us toil to get as close as we can to that goal. Obviously, only a very few will reach it, but most of us are still motivated by reaching the highest rung on the ladder that is beneath the Gold. The Gold is at the top. Is the ladder/pinnacle image thing working for you? I could have used a mountain or something. I think my point is made, syntax notwithstanding.
So we want to go to the uhlympics!
(initial disclaimer, I refuse to do any research short of an occasional wikipedia check)
To many, the Olympics have come to represent a huge entertainment/marketing vehicle. Loads of money are spent in the 8 years prior to a games to prepare a host city for onslaught of athletes, media, and corporate types. Once everyone is there and billions are spent preparing, the games are kicked off with the most spectacular of events - The opening ceremony.
Each olympiad, the host city does is damndest to outdo all the other host cities prior with their bombastic and symbol-laden opening ceremony. They try to display the talents of their artists and athletes as best possible with wild stunts, as well as often ham-fisted homages to the indigenous people of the country, as if this makes up for everything.
Now, to an actual point-
I can think of no event that needs this kind of crap less.
After the ridiculously over-the-top, excessive, overdone opening ceremony, the next two weeks will be filled with the greatest displays of athleticism anyone has seen in at least four years and won’t see again for another. I believe that is more than enough entertainment and intrigue. Millions of dollars spent on a four hour interpretive dance and drumming festival are wasted when compared to something like Bob Beamon breaking the long jump WR by near two feet or Billy Mills stunning finish in the 1964 10k. Try to watch the latter without getting a chill. I just got one thinking about it.
London plans to spend $121 million dollars on its opening and closing ceremonies. I don’t pretend to know where that’s coming from, but I’m sure it’s not being recouped in sales of plush versions of these stupid things. There were riots in the streets last year because of government austerity programs going into effect. Are we all insane?
I want to plead for something reasonable here
Lets have the parade of athletes and some speeches and stuff. Then lets say thanks for coming, good luck, and let the athletes go get some sleep and not overload their senses. They have a lot to do in the coming days.
I know I don't really have any business talking about an event I won't ever participate in. I feel however this is a pretty level-headed plea coming from someone who rarely makes a lot of sense. Should that count for extra?
Here's last weeks stats for me -
147 miles (9 runs)(1 day off)
8 mi tempo - 42:00 (bleh)
temps between 16 F and 50 F -
podcasts:
Watch this music video:
