On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Monday, July 16, 2012

Hurdles in the media

I was flipping through a recent edition of US Weekly recently, admiring their feature on Olympic athletes, when I saw this ad:


What do you think? This is what High School Tracy would have lovingly referred to as a "twat shot." And yet... that angle is fitting for the subject, no? I hate the stupid "mother nature's monthly gift" euphemism, but I like that the ad is focusing on women's strength rather than how much we like to dance on the beach wearing all white during that time of the month.

That said, I challenge you to find me a competitive athlete with a rack that large.

Next up, the WSJ has been running an Olympic-themed video series entitled "How hard can it be?" This week's episode features the steeplechase (and also Delilah of, ugh, "Hey There Delilah" fame*). Spoiler: the reporter gets wet.



And not hurdles, but still relevant: Ryan Hall is featured in the NYTimes talking about his coaching plan and how he lists God any time a form asks him for the name of his coach.

*Dear Plain White T's: it's called a vocative comma. Learn it; use it.
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMon Jul 16, 10:07:00 PM EDT

    That reporter and I were on the Herald together back in the day! This should be good. -Ellen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TMon Jul 16, 10:29:00 PM EDT

      I think "Stu Woo" might be one of my favorite names of all time.

      Delete
  2. Brooke AndrusTue Jul 17, 05:27:00 PM EDT

    I knew I should have been a hurdler.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AmyThu Jul 19, 05:08:00 PM EDT

    Hurdling the package is priceless imagery. I don't think you can find an Olympic athlete who even gets her period... those ladies train harddd.

    ReplyDelete

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