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Gringo TornadosThe Tornado’s track record of fast and inspired running has attracted many other runners over the years. Very slowly at first, but now in greater numbers a strange and peculiar type of runner has joined the family, Gringo Tornados! Our running club is still overwhelmingly Latino, and I hope that it will always stay that way. For this particular Gringo has experienced nothing but love and encouragement for six years. I have found the Tornado heart to be very big, optimistic and generous. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have a little fun with our differences as we learn from one another!
Unfortunately for the Tornados, many of our Gringos are the most uncouth kind, Yankee Gringos! They are a strange type of Gringo that speak through their noses and have bad habit of calling our senoritas: “you guys!” Do Yankee Gringos even have women up north? Although the challenges are great, the Tornados have made progress with their Gringos, showing them how to put some fire in their running heart. I fancy the real break in training came though when we got to run in some Tornado’s cross country Sombreros. We ran faster feeling like el Guerrero, plus we didn’t have to lug all that extra sunscreen! However, more importantly our acculturation was made complete when we learned at the Taqueria Cancun that Mexican food does not come from Taco Bell! In this age of persistent tribalism from the Holy Land to the Sudan, it is really a beacon of hope when a sport like running can bring different cultures together. We learn to build on each other strengths and celebrate our differences. When we run hard together we all seem to blend into one. Shared pain, mutual sacrifices and common goals unite us into a family no matter how much melanin we possess. Jack McClintic |
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After
sharing so many miles with the Tornados I almost think that I have become a
little Latin myself and like to laugh at my own Gringo habits. I have observed
that Gringo Spanish either consists of garbled food phrases or is too school
book perfect. Many Gringo Tornados can run fast, but they sure can’t Salsa! We
are passionate about our PR’s but we need to show more passion towards our
fellow runners. A lot can be said with a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. After
standing next to the Tornados, I believe tanning salons and Coppertone is a
complete waste of money!
