That is what I told my wife before my first IM. I coached her about this. I finished arms high alone with my brothers in camaraderie.

Next IM I forgot to mention it. Well, my daughter (age 8) jumps the fence in LP (because she sees others doing it) and runs in with me. I cried. I smiled. I held her hand and she ran in with me. I DID still have my wits about me to look around, keep going after the line, etc. It is now my all time favorite photo in the world. I have it in various places in my offices, etc. I immediately felt bad and ashamed - then sheer joy. I wouldn't take that back for all the world! What makes me most upset was the way that I initially felt ashamed I was running in with her. That sucks, and it is only because of others who have posted things like this. How ridiculous is that?

I'll probably coach them not to do this again, but I'd wager most of the posters who find this activity awful have no children. Yes, there are lines that are crossed (like a double wide stroller stopped under the sign), but playing armchair quaterback watching is easy.

BUT, and as we can see from the video, this is a big BUT, there are way too many clueless people who stop at the finish line, block other people on the way in, block other people at the line, drop shoes, have the frigging strollers and so on.....and they ruin it for the normal people who are considerate enough to not do that stuff. I don't look upon all of them with scorn - just the inconsiderate dipshits. Doesn't sound like you're one of them.

Are those few seconds that valuable?

To close it now would lead to a huge back-lash.

Fleck

Umm, excuse me, did you actually read my post? Because if you did, I don't see how you managed to turn "inconsiderate" and "ruin it for (others)" and "clueless" into injury and maiming and death. Seems to me someone's a wee bit defensive - lighten up there, Francis.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?