The Houston Chronicle's "Advice for

The Houston Chronicle's "Advice for Marathon Spectators":

Unless you happen to be standing next to the 26-mile marker, try not to yell "You're almost there!" Runners ? regardless of pace ? know exactly where they are. And, unless they're passing the 26-mile marker, they're acutely aware that they are, in fact, not almost there.

Don't ask, "How do you feel?" because this forces your runner to answer, and the chances are good he feels like he's been trampled by a herd of buffalo and doesn't particularly want to talk about it. Better is, "You're looking great!" (Lie if necessary.)