For one reason or another so many distance runners seem to have this entitlement complex that makes us think that we are so important and pure. That somehow the simplicity of our pursuit makes us better than our counterparts in other sports. Just where and when this complex was formed is a mystery but it is absolutely mind numbing if you are around it enough.
What really brought this issue to a head for me was our nations nordic combined teams success at the Olympics. Nordic skiing and the combined event have been around since the eighteenth century and are a true test of fearlessness and endurance. Our team has clearly lived and trained in obscurity knowing that one day they would have the chance to medal at an Olympics. These brothers in arms have been launching themselves off remote ski jumps and putting in countless hours of training to hone their strength and form. When Johnny Spillane made his mad dash for home from over a k out he was living in the moment while simultaneously living his dream. Thankfully for all of us the first question he was asked post race was not what his performance meant for American nordic combined athletes.
Mark
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