The Crowd Cheers That Motivate Nobody
© ASOThey’re always there, faithful to their posts at sharp turns, roundabouts and aid stations. They clap enthusiastically, scream at the top of their lungs and hold up homemade signs, sometimes a little wonky but always sincere. We runners absolutely love them. And yet, let’s be honest… sometimes their encouragement, to put it kindly, misses the mark. Between the stock phrases, awkward compliments and comments that are a little too honest, there are plenty of gems heard from the roadside that have never quite managed to give a struggling runner wings.✓ Here’s a small selection of those sweet nothings, delivered from the heart… but received with very heavy legs.
“Come on, great, you’re done”
Not quite, sir… We’ve only just passed the 5th kilometre. If you do the maths, there are 37 left. Yes, 37. So thanks for the sentiment, but let’s save the enthusiasm for a little later, shall we?
“You’re beautiful when you run”
Well, that’s not exactly true… Between the rain wrecking the hairstyle, the ponytail in full free-fall mode, the make-up running like a swimming pool and the Niagara Falls-level sweating, this probably isn’t the best time for a beauty compliment. But thanks for trying.
“You’re crazy for doing this, come on, come on”
And right at that moment, the runners are already wondering why they’re here. No need to rub salt in the wound, as they say.
“You’re running really well”
The coach wouldn’t exactly put it that way. At the 38th kilometre of a marathon, the stride isn’t exactly light.
“It’s all mental now”
Ah, the famous mental game… Except the legs handed in their resignation a long time ago. So, as far as motivation goes, supplies are running low.
“Eat some sugar, you’ll feel better”
But don’t you know they’ve just spent four hours working their way through blueberry, banana and caramel gels? They’ve had enough of sugar. It’s on strike.
“The hardest part is over”
But… whatever you do, don’t say that. The Côte des Gardes climb, at 5%, is coming up in 2 kilometres. Want to crush their morale? Bingo. And lying is really not a good look.
“Come on, smile”
Nobody, absolutely nobody, wants to smile at the 35th kilometre of a marathon, sorry. Not even the official photographer, who’s been sitting there on his chair for four hours, valiantly shooting in the rain… without the slightest hint of a smile either.
“Come on, you paid to do this”
No, no, no. Don’t remind them. Please, never remind a runner in the middle of a crisis. At that precise moment, they’re adding up what they spent on entry fees, shoes, kit, gadgets… and the total makes them want to cry (or throw up).
“The important thing is taking part”
Are you the president of the “French Federation of Losing”? Nice to meet you. Thanks, but no thanks.
“You can do it”
They’re standing still, green in the face, in the middle of a full-blown puking session. We’re not so sure.
Anyway, we still love these Sunday supporters, with their shouts, wonky signs and awkward encouragement. Because deep down, even when they don’t always give your legs a boost, they still warm your heart. Beyond the clumsy phrases and impossible smiles, it’s that unique energy that makes the race come alive. So a huge thank you to you, roadside champions, for your unfailing enthusiasm. Even when it doesn’t give us wings, it always gives us a little warmth.