The Strangest Thing I've ever seen at the Starting Line!

As you read my blogs hopefully they can be thought provoking, inspirational, and/or provide you with helpful information. Today's entry is none of the above.

I ran the Jingle Bell Run 2009 Sundance Square Fort Worth, TX this past Saturday (12/5) and I saw the craziest thing I've ever seen in my 20 years of racing. As I pushed and squezzed my way to the front I ended up next to this middle-aged guy getting prepped for the run.

As I bent over to get that final stretch of my hammies I by chance happened to look at this guy's shoes (don't ask my why, I always look at other runner's racing shoes...). Anyway, I noticed a puddle of water under his feet as well as a stream of "water" pooling into the puddle. To my disbelief this guy was "relieving" himself at the starting line!! Thankfully it was just #1.
I've never seen anything like that in my life. I wondered if it was a pre-race ritual that I've never heard of, or maybe he just didn't have time to hit the porto potty and get back to the start in time so he figured no one would notice. Who knows? I guess I'm writing about this with hopes that maybe someone has an explanation for why?

FAQ

No - I didn't ask him why he was taking a leak on himself at the starting line.

No - I didn't shake his hand and wish him good luck in the race.

No - He didn't get out of line to go clean up.

Yes - He did take off when the gun fired and I lost track of him...he might have beat me, not sure.