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Sep. 1st, 2013 11:18 pmI attended a Sporting Event this weekend.
It isn't quite a first for me, as I have a vague and probably repressed memory of being taken to Lords by a cricket-obsessed boyfriend, and I know I had an outing to watch the greyhound racing once, because it was more like comedy than sport (though it probably wasn't much fun for the dogs). However, I have never before been to watch an athletics meet.
This was the English U17 and U15 championships just up the road, in Bedford. My nephew ran in the 300m, and won his heat and his semi-final in fine style. Sadly, he came 4th in the final, because after a glorious moment of storming round the bend and overtaking the favourite, he didn't quite have the legs to put in his usual sprint finish. However, he did pretty well.
And the whole thing was fascinating. Firstly—they go really, really fast! Seriously, much faster than they do on the telly. I know that actual timekeeping would disagree, but when you see them live, it's much easier to appreciate what the athletes are doing. Secondly, I was reminded of the impression I got from the Olympics—athletes are, on the whole, a really good-looking bunch. I think it must be to do with symmetry, which is probably why they are athletes at all. Thirdly, there were some Ambulant and Wheelchair races, because this meeting was big enough to be able to draw in enough disabled athletes to run these events. One girl ran 1500m, far behind the abled girls in the race, but broke her own PB by about half a minute, which was pretty damn impressive and I don't know if it was patronising of me to feel tears in my eyes, but I did. Fourthly, it was such fun to see the constant activity—the races went perfectly to the timetable, but there was always something in the field to watch. Pole vaulting is a *ridiculous* thing to do. Watching the girls (U15s) and young women (U17s) today, I kept saying Wheeee! to myself every time I saw one fly over the bar. Awesome. Oh, and watching the hammer-throwing, well. Wow.
It is very tiring being out in the fresh air all day.
Also, Lance Bass just got engaged! Awwwwwwwwwww!
It isn't quite a first for me, as I have a vague and probably repressed memory of being taken to Lords by a cricket-obsessed boyfriend, and I know I had an outing to watch the greyhound racing once, because it was more like comedy than sport (though it probably wasn't much fun for the dogs). However, I have never before been to watch an athletics meet.
This was the English U17 and U15 championships just up the road, in Bedford. My nephew ran in the 300m, and won his heat and his semi-final in fine style. Sadly, he came 4th in the final, because after a glorious moment of storming round the bend and overtaking the favourite, he didn't quite have the legs to put in his usual sprint finish. However, he did pretty well.
And the whole thing was fascinating. Firstly—they go really, really fast! Seriously, much faster than they do on the telly. I know that actual timekeeping would disagree, but when you see them live, it's much easier to appreciate what the athletes are doing. Secondly, I was reminded of the impression I got from the Olympics—athletes are, on the whole, a really good-looking bunch. I think it must be to do with symmetry, which is probably why they are athletes at all. Thirdly, there were some Ambulant and Wheelchair races, because this meeting was big enough to be able to draw in enough disabled athletes to run these events. One girl ran 1500m, far behind the abled girls in the race, but broke her own PB by about half a minute, which was pretty damn impressive and I don't know if it was patronising of me to feel tears in my eyes, but I did. Fourthly, it was such fun to see the constant activity—the races went perfectly to the timetable, but there was always something in the field to watch. Pole vaulting is a *ridiculous* thing to do. Watching the girls (U15s) and young women (U17s) today, I kept saying Wheeee! to myself every time I saw one fly over the bar. Awesome. Oh, and watching the hammer-throwing, well. Wow.
It is very tiring being out in the fresh air all day.
Also, Lance Bass just got engaged! Awwwwwwwwwww!