Criticism

Criticizing performances seems to be a hot topic on message boards. The only problem is that most criticizing is negative. If someone puts out an outstanding performance and then doesn't duplicate it a week later, they are ripped apart. Or if someone posts about a sophomore that ran well, the "critics" come on and say that it was either luck, or that they will burn out by their senior year.

I have to admit that I have also been a part of the negative side of criticism. Every year I see the East Coast runners putting up amazing times in December and January and say that they will not last until May and June. The question for myself and others is;

"Why can't we just enjoy and embrace the moment?"

What's the harm in praising the performance as it is at that moment? No past, no future, just the present moment. Posting about how amazing it was to see or hear about what just happened on the track and letting it go at that.

Three personal examples of being in the moment for me come from different sports; hockey, basketball and baseball. The 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team!!! "Do you believe in miracles?" I don't think the U.S. has done anything so miraculous in Hockey since, but that moment lives forever.

The Chicago Bulls six championships of the 1990's with Michael Jordan! What a rush to be a part of that. The Bulls haven't really done much since, but that doesn't take away from the moment I experienced.

The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series!!! Okay, one can dream!

The point is that I experienced two wonderful events and didn't say things like, "the Bulls have sucked since Jordan so the championships are meaningless." I embraced the Bulls of the 90's.

With the same attitude in running, the sport will thrive with positive energy, not die with negative criticism. I'll start the trend by saying that I don't care what this kid runs in the future, but I witnessed (on video) a high school kid run a solo 5,000 meter race in under 14:00!!! What an amazing thing to experience! The End!