Ok, You:ve Gotten Your Wish:

[SQUACKEE]

I am a bit surprised at some of you. This is your big chance to show off your sport, and not wait for the paltry news coverage to attempt to do it for you. What happened to being an earth-shaker and getting the word out?

I suspect the average person doesn't want to be the kind of pain in the ass who bores his friends with his obscure hobby. Track is a religion to most of us, but that doesn't mean we should be out going out banging on doors trying to sell our passion to others.

I've taken the time to educate some of my co-workers with facts and on-line videos and they really DO get it. " Look, thats Bekele, he's running a indoor 3,000m, about 2 miles, indoors against some of the best runners in the world. Now watch when he makes his move, watch his burst when he hits it. Look at that! WOW!"

A good salesman can sell ice to an Eskimo, give a little time ive sold track.

[gh]

I suspect I'm not the only one on the planet who lists "being sold to" as near the top of life's little dislikes.

[SQUACKEE]

I suspect I'm not the only one on the planet who lists "being sold to" as near the top of life's little dislikes.

Its near the top of my list. Im really not selling anything. Im just sharing something i love and thats what people do. I know what im sharing is worthy and my approach is a very soft. The main point is they GET IT, YOU GOT IT.

[tafnut]

I suspect I'm not the only one on the planet who lists "being sold to" as near the top of life's little dislikes.

Um . . . isn't that your JOB? Selling track, selling T&FN, selling TAFNOTs, selling books, selling this web-site (oops, bad example), well, you get my drift. I thought you were in the business of 'selling to'.

We're all in the business of "selling to'. Lord knows, my 'customers' don't want to buy everything I'm selling - lots of homework now, for the 'possibility' that they'll get a job later in life that they'll want to do and be well compensated for. I think 'selling' T&F' to others is part of waht we all do around here, one way or another. I also sell the sport to my athletes who only see their own little world of T&F.

[MJD]

We're all in sales. Fortunately, most accountants don't understand that.

[mojo]

I "sell" the sport to young impressionable youths every opportunity I get.

And I not above threatening them with extra laps if that's what it takes to instill a love for the sport! :wink:

[gh]

I suspect I'm not the only one on the planet who lists "being sold to" as near the top of life's little dislikes.

Um . . . isn't that your JOB? Selling track, selling T&FN, selling TAFNOTs, selling books, selling this web-site (oops, bad example), well, you get my drift. I thought you were in the business of 'selling to'.

We're all in the business of "selling to'. Lord knows, my 'customers' don't want to buy everything I'm selling - lots of homework now, for the 'possibility' that they'll get a job later in life that they'll want to do and be well compensated for. I think 'selling' T&F' to others is part of waht we all do around here, one way or another. I also sell the sport to my athletes who only see their own little world of T&F.

Perhaps I'm drawing a fine line others don't see, but I think there's a big difference between selling something that people are already interested in as opposed to something they have no interest in.

Put another way: if I walk into a car dealership, I expect to be sold to. If somebody shows up at my front door selling ANYTHING they get a 2x4 between the eyes.

[mojo]

But isn't it also part of your job to make people interested in the sport?

[SQUACKEE]

I have experienced this 2x4 and he's not kidding!

[tafnut]

I think there's a big difference between selling something that people are already interested in as opposed to something they have no interest in.

Ah yes, but the trick is, of course, to make them think they wanted it all along, but did not realize it until you pointed it out to them. I once THANKED a traveling vacuum salesman for selling me a $400 vacuum. NOw THAT guy was good!

[bekeselassie]

I knocked on someone's door once, and they said, "Are you a Jehovah's Witness?" I said, "Worse! I'm a baptist."

[mike renfro]

I was in San Diego last weekend for my grandson's league meet. Friday, after the meet, we went to a brew pub (Mary & I were the only drinkers, the kids obviously couldn't, and our daughter and son-in-law have funny ideas about what is and is not food). There was an NBA game on the tube, and I noticed "TRACK" on the crawl. Has to be a WR, ESPN doesn't bother else, so I had a few minutes to guess what. I decided that Shaheen was the most likely suspect. I is a "home" meet for him. Pleasantly suprised that it was Justin. Turns out the coaches from several schools were at an adjacent table, but they hand't looked at the TV. They did know who Galin was.

Oh, the kid made it through to section prelims, so another death march to SD. I havn't had time to go through the collegiate meets, except Pac10 and SEC.

[EPelle]

I suspect the average person doesn't want to be the kind of pain in the ass who bores his friends with his obscure hobby. Track is a religion to most of us, but that doesn't mean we should be out going out banging on doors trying to sell our passion to others.

gh, you missed this part of that post: "Obvsiously, I am not asking if you guys/gals stand on street corners next to a local zip code-less inhabitant selling yesterday:s news." Do you know anyone who passively follows this sport in being a general sports fan? Those people are the ones I would like to see engaged - if only for one conversation. Now Gatlin:s time is yesterday:s headlines. Perhaps you will have another chance if he sets a new WR.

And tafnut: I am a big geek now! Just trying to keep pace so that I can stay at least half-way to you! :-)

[SQUACKEE]

Im afraid i wasnt clear in posting about my attempt to spread the word about track.. Im only sharing with friends and realitives. Some examples-

Wife says, "What are you watching?" I tell her in a few mins. the Paula Radcliff story leading up to her attempt out sprint the Kenya woman in New York Marathon. My wife is mesmerized as Paula slowly pulls away. Later she watches some, not all, of Paula breaking the field at the world champ.s marathon.

Guy at work is 275 lbs. I have encouraged him to start walking and he's even mixed in a little jogging. He knows about Bekele, Geb and of course that female Russian polevaulter! And Btw- i pretend to be interested in his New York Mets- actually i am a little.

I'll be watching a replay of something on WCSN on my Lunch hour and a co-worker will ask,"Whats that?" And i tell them ,"Thats the best distance runner in the world, ect. ect. ect. ect.

[EPelle]

Squackee, that is perfect. Exactly what I wondered.