Flashes of Panic

(Once again, blowing a good column idea when I’ll have one due soon.)

There’s a certain amount of angst in track circles about “record mania.” The complaint is that many fans can see a “good race” and yet go away disappointed because there was no record. On the other hand, in a lot of record-setting races, the record is the only thing that makes them exciting: the fact that nobody has ever run faster.

I’ve seen a few records in my day, even a few world records. Some were thrilling, some weren’t. I’ve seen a lot more exciting races where the time wasn’t really important.

I wonder if the problem isn’t the fans in the stadium, but the fans out of the stadium. Anyone can recognize an exciting race when it’s in front of their nose. It’s a lot harder to convey that excitement to someone who wasn’t there; it’s even hard to explain why it was exciting. Even on television it’s not easy to see it.

So the global audience falls back on what it can get from an event: the results, in times and distances. The numbers are the only things speaking for the event, and the missing record is more of a let-down there.

We can certainly share some blame out to the meet promoters looking for the quick hit of a world record, and the fans who show up hoping to see someone do something that’s never been done before. But maybe some blame should go with the way we report and share these events with those who aren’t there watching? Numbers are not drama, not without context.

Now Playing: Alleluia from The Honesty Room by Dar Williams