It was when operating as a hydrator with the runners preparing for the Dublin City Marathon some years ago that I first noticed the eyes of the runners. (A hydrator is the official title given by Fás to people who hand out water to dehydrating runners at races and training spins, I think Or else it was a title bestowed on us by Pat Bogue.) The runner approaches the hydrator from a distance but has not spotted the hydrator yet. From that distance there is an intensity and a strain in the eye expression of the runner. It says: ‘Keep going’ or ‘Jas.., I can’t go on’ or ‘I must keep up with that shower of...’ who are threatening to get away and leave the misfortune out in Spancil Hill, alone. Tension, determination, strain all combine to tighten the facial expression and also tighten the muscles throughout the body. The eye expression is not attractive to the onlooker. Then the runner spots the hydrator. At times the eyes seem to react with a certain disdain: ‘About bloody time’ or ‘where the (expletive) have ye been for the last half an hour’? Disdain gives way to welcome as the runner confirms to himself that this water stop is not a mirage. As the runner reaches out to take the bottle the eyes light up with ‘Thank you’, real genuine gratitude. I feel my eyes light up too: ‘amn’t I glad I got up this morning’. The gratitude is sincere, the courtesy profound.
At 7:50 on any Saturday morning it is worth one’s while to take stock of the pairs of eyes peering out into the new day as they gather at DNG. Some show delight at meeting up with companions and the meet and greet radiates from the eyes. Other eyes are a medium for banter and serious slagging. And other eyes do not express the same confidence. They suggest a bad week with a poor run or an injury. The self doubt is in banner headlines in the eyes. Another pair of eyes does not make much contact with its eye kinfolk, maybe preoccupied with problems left at home that morning or maybe insecure about their surroundings. It is easy to spot the ‘ first morning’ pair of eyes. Very little changes in the eye expression during the stretching or the announcement of the route. I cannot say that I look into anyone’s eyes during the run. The focus is on the surface ahead, safety.
By the time we get back to DNG all has changed in the eye world. It is as if the eyes gather together as a joyful choir to chorus their delight at what has just been achieved. Perspiration covers the face. The sweaty right hand is extended. The latest arrival is greeted. The eyes light up and shine at the arrival of each companion on the run. The delight of the new arrival into the carpark is reciprocated by a smiling expression. There is a brightness in peoples’ eyes, a glow, health, vibrancy, a shine. The transformation amazes me. Other peoples’ eyes draw one into a celebratory sharing of our common achievement over the past hour or whatever. Yes, it was worth getting out of the scratcher this morning. I can feel that glow from my own eyes as I head for the car. And reality.
At 7:50 on any Saturday morning it is worth one’s while to take stock of the pairs of eyes peering out into the new day as they gather at DNG. Some show delight at meeting up with companions and the meet and greet radiates from the eyes. Other eyes are a medium for banter and serious slagging. And other eyes do not express the same confidence. They suggest a bad week with a poor run or an injury. The self doubt is in banner headlines in the eyes. Another pair of eyes does not make much contact with its eye kinfolk, maybe preoccupied with problems left at home that morning or maybe insecure about their surroundings. It is easy to spot the ‘ first morning’ pair of eyes. Very little changes in the eye expression during the stretching or the announcement of the route. I cannot say that I look into anyone’s eyes during the run. The focus is on the surface ahead, safety.
By the time we get back to DNG all has changed in the eye world. It is as if the eyes gather together as a joyful choir to chorus their delight at what has just been achieved. Perspiration covers the face. The sweaty right hand is extended. The latest arrival is greeted. The eyes light up and shine at the arrival of each companion on the run. The delight of the new arrival into the carpark is reciprocated by a smiling expression. There is a brightness in peoples’ eyes, a glow, health, vibrancy, a shine. The transformation amazes me. Other peoples’ eyes draw one into a celebratory sharing of our common achievement over the past hour or whatever. Yes, it was worth getting out of the scratcher this morning. I can feel that glow from my own eyes as I head for the car. And reality.