Welcome to Wednesday Word, a weekly linkup for everyone, not just health and fitness bloggers. Each Wednesday you will have a single word prompt to write about. Let your imagination run free and share with your readers your interpretation of that word, or simply use it as inspiration for your post. Today’s word is opportunist… I’d love to have you link up, and if you do, please remember to follow my six simple rules.
Opportunist – someone who tries to get an advantage
or something valuable from a situation
without thinking about what is fair or right
~ Merriam-Webster
A lawyer and a personal trainer were sitting next to each other at a bar. After chatting briefly, the lawyer asked the trainer what he did for a living. Upon discovering he was sitting next to a trainer, the attorney proceeded to spend the next thirty minutes asking the trainer what he could do to lose those ten stubborn pounds he’d gained around his waist, what nutrition tips would fit into his newly acquired workout routine, and how he could train for a half marathon the following spring.
After sharing many great ideas and even jotting down a couple of workout routines on a cocktail napkin, the trainer decided to ask the attorney for a little free advice. When he asked, the attorney handed the trainer his business card and suggested he call the following day during business hours…
In the above situation, the trainer is more than willing to give out free information and the lawyer is more than happy to take advantage of the trainer who doesn’t realize he’s devalued his time until the roles are reversed. I don’t really think that the lawyer is being an opportunist until the table is turned and he’s not willing to reciprocate with at least a little free advice.
In the running world, there are plenty of situations where people can become opportunists – some are in bad form and some are not…
- Running in a race as a bandit rather than paying for the race like everyone else (bad form)
- Showing up at the track to take mental notes when the running coach is going through drills with his running group who paid for his program (bad form)
- Going on a run with someone you know will give you lots of training tips during the run (good form because we all know that runners love to talk about running)
- Tagging along with a friend who’s going to a running expo to listen to a speech by a celebrity runner even though you’re not running in the race (good form as long as there’s plenty of seating)
- And just this week, I realized that I don’t need to wear a headlamp when running with my friend Tiffany because her light is so bright!
In what situations have you found it to be advantageous to be an opportunist? Or, when have you been taken advantage of by an opportunist?
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Next Wednesday’s Word: Nuisance
This was a great word prompt. Add, after reading your definition, my race (recapped in my blog post) fit the definition almost perfectly.
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Mercy Live Up Loop 5-Miler recap
Awesome! I’m always happy to hear when a word just “works!”
Looks like we were of the same mindset with this word! I struggled a bit–I didn’t want to make it too negative! After spectating Chicago and seeing all the bandits run by made me realize how many opportunists are in our sport.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…You Might Be A Runportunist…
I loved the way you wrote about opportunists. It was very creative! And you’re right, we do have a lot of opportunists in our sport – probably more at the bigger races than the small town ones.
Great fun post today! I need to get back on these Wednesday workouts. How about runners who join MRTT just to get our race discounts?
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Will Run For Chocolate-Hershey Half Recap
Oh, that’s a good one and I had no idea people did that!
Well, expos are free and open to the public, and while it’s been a long time since I’ve been to a big one, I found people often didn’t take advantage of the talks. Which is a darn shame!
I don’t think I’m really that much of an opportunist (as I say in the blog), but I certainly would’t have dreamed up this post! Good job.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Opportunist: how will you use your minutes?
I had the pleasure of hearing Bart Yasso speak before the Virginia Wine Country Half a couple of years ago and there were only about ten of us who showed up. Of course, the timing of the speech makes a huge difference. Bart’s speech was in the middle of the day and tough for people working 9-5 to attend.
Great post!
I love the headlamp example…those suckers are bright right!!!
I think I am one who takes advantage of opportunities that will benefit me but not take advantage of anyone or anything.
The new LED headlamps are so bright! I have an older one that hardly lights up in comparison, so I have good reason to be a headlamp opportunist. 😀
It’s a total pet peeve of mine to see those running as bandits when everyone else paid!! And totally not safe! Thanks for a fun link up today!
You’re very welcome!