Spectators and Volunteers Looking For Return on their Investment

While cheering for athletes at an event, we love it when athletes give us a little love for our efforts. In fact, for just a little bit of love, we'll give you a whole lot more. I was reminded of this in a few separate occasions.
Last year while at Tri Del Sol a spectator who had been cheering for everyone who went by said something like, "I don't even know why I bother, nobody seems to care." What he was referring to was that none of the athletes gave back a wave, smile, nod, or gave him any recognition for his clapping and cheering efforts. Of course he was standing very close to the finish line and many were busy pumping their arms and sprinting for all they were worth and simply didn't have it in them to acknowldege the crowd.
Now, I'm not suggesting as atheletes that we need to acknowledge every spectator who cheers for us along the way of an event, that would be neither practical nor logical in many instances. However, giving a little love now and again in the form of a smile, a nod, a wave, a fist pump, or even a random high five can make a spectator's day and help them to feel appreciated.
Here's an example of getting more than you are giving as an athlete. While at the Boston Marathon this year, my friend Jim and I cheered on everyone who went by while we were waiting for our ultimate cheering opportunity when our wives went by. Anyway, if somebody were to wave or nod...well, they got more and louder cheers. This was especially true for those who had their names displayed. If we could read their names off their shirts, for example, we would yell or chant his or her name with words of encouragement. Our cheering would go something like this: "Bill, let's go Bill!" At this point we would move our eyes to the next set of people to cheer for. However, if Bill were to wave, nod, smile, or whatever, one of us would continue to yell something like, "Yeah Bill! Go get 'em Bill! That's the stuff Bill! Yeah!!!" Furthermore, this yelling would likely be louder and more enthusiastic than the initial cheers because it was apparent that he appreciated it. Our additional cheers almost always put a smile on the athlete's face. This was not a conscious thing that Jim and I did...or the other spectators for that matter, but it happened because it fired us up that somebody realized we existed and that they wanted us to cheer for them.
A third example is on the other side of the coin. While racing the Rev3, Olympic distance triathlon in Knoxville, TN this year I noticed a similar trend when I would give a subtle nod, smile, or wave to those cheering for us. I also made a point to pump my fists and smile while running down the finish shoot. I noticed the cheers louder again. I was pumped, in turn the spectators were pumped. People want to be pumped because they (we) get tired of seeing a steady stream of non-responsive atheletes...give us somehting man! However, we athletes need to show the spectators that we're up for it too. Granted, if I was in a sprint finish with somebody at Rev3, I wasn't going to be doing any fist pumping except in efforts to crank my arms and move my legs.
This giving of love is true of volunteers on the course as well, but I think more of us think to thank the volunteers than we think to acknowledge spectators. However, back to the volunteers. If you can help it, if there are kids volunteering, take the water (or whatever) from them. This will do at least a couple of things. One, it will make a little boy or girl's day and make them feel worthwhile. Two it may inspire the boy or girl to either return to volunteer or to participate in an event in the future. A high five to a kid can go a long way as well.
So, the next time you are out there competing, test out my theory. Wave, smile, nod, and see that not only are you giving back to those who have taken the time and energy to cheer for you, but they will give even more back to you.
Rock on...