Ballot Week Blues

I didn't enter this year's London Marathon ballot.  I have decided that there is enough rejection in life in general, without adding to it in your running life.  After all, isn't running supposed to be the safe haven, the place where we go to escape from negative thoughts?

Despite my non-participation, I do find myself feeling a bit peeved on behalf of others who are experiencing rejection this week, especially those who have been trying for a decade or more without success.  It just isn't fair, is it?  Yes, it's random but that's not the same as being fair.  To be fair, they would have to give those who have had the most rejections a go, but that's not how it works.  Of course, social media is awash with threads on this topic, the usual mixture of elation, despair and "what the hell have I done?"  I've been giving Facebook a fairly wide berth, but I've seen enough to know that it is just like it is every year.

Here are 10 things you are definitely going to see on your Facebook newsfeed during London Marathon Ballot Results Week if you're part of an online running group.

1. References to stalking the postman and a few photos of letterboxes.

2.  Endless photos of magazines saying "you're in".

3.  Endless photos of magazines saying "sorry."

4.  Someone encouraging you to get a charity place because £2,000 fundraising is achievable "if you want it badly enough."  The fact that you live in the middle of nowhere, work from home and don't know a soul is no excuse.

5.  Someone telling you to try for a Good for Age place, which apparently is also achievable "if you want it badly enough."

6.  Someone telling you that there are plenty of other great marathons and that the support and atmosphere at Scunthorpe (or similar hype-free location) is second to none.

7.  Someone trying to console him/herself with the fact they have done all the other majors at least twice, but they are still gutted.

8.  Someone feeling guilty about getting in at the first attempt and wishing other people could be happy for them.

9.  Someone who has run London three times but doesn't like it, prefers trail and recommends the Scafell Pike 24 hour Tough Mudder Ultra, or some similar character-building thing in the fresh air.

10.  Someone who is pleased to have the training top




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tunnel Run

Why are 'Flying Feet' such a big deal?

Marathon Envy and Doing your own Thing