I’ve been on the receiving end of harsh comments the majority of my life. Chalk it up to a lifetime of being short, pudgy, etc. You would think that after over 42 years of criticisms, meant or not, I would be hardened, have a tougher skin, but that isn’t necessarily the way it is.
Running strong.
Today was our ½ marathon training group’s long run. It was a brutally hot and humid morning like so many others so far this summer. I had hydrated, eaten clean and rested as well as I could on my day of rest Friday and was ready to get it done. Coach informed us that today we were running the Medical Center Pkwy Bridge. YIKES! 6 miles including the bridge right at the beginning, time to gird my loins and suck it up…it was go time.
Off we went! I got the better of that bridge this morning and was feeling pretty pumped and good about myself even if I was struggling with the heat and humidity. P and I realized early we were going to have to take our pace down a notch or two or we would never make the entire run. So that is just what we did, we slowed it down. Remember my previous coach Daphne always said “slow and steady!” Keeping an even pace we were over 2/3 of the way and a couple of runners came up behind us. This is where I let my feelings creep out on my sleeve.
Careful what you say, you never know who is listening!
The two runners commented we, the group collective, must be the half marathon training group, look how spread out we were, wonder how many miles we were doing today? Runner #1 said he thought we were doing 6 miles. Here it comes, are you ready? Rude runner said “Oh, is THAT all?” I was immediately flush with anger. The very nerve! I was ticked! Frankly, it was all I could do not to call her out, but I decided I’d be the better person. I didn’t want to be though. You should NEVER make flip, haughty comments like that. How discouraging to those of us out there giving it our ALL! Just because we may not be up to what she considered quality running material, didn’t make our achievement and work any less valid.
That comment really took the wind out of my sails. I know I shouldn’t have let it but it did. The remaining run was a huge struggle. I about let the comment, heat and fatigue get the better of me. Thank goodness I have a fabulous coach. He never lets us come in on the last part of our runs alone. He and the mentors are always there to bring it home with us. Struggling, I look up and there is Coach. He was going to run the remainder with me. I felt that little click, that part of me that wanted to pump it up and kick that last leg of my run. To not show any defeat to Coach or to me for that matter.
After the run, stretching and a bit of a cool down, I told Coach what had happened. He basically told me that Rude Runner didn’t matter. He gave me and P praise on how well we were doing with our training and that he was pleased we were hanging in there and feeling good about our group. I felt better. Whew! Thanks, Coach!
P and I adjourned to our favorite coffee shop for a post run snack. I made a healthy choice. I shudder to think what I would have consumed if I hadn’t had that little validation moment with Coach.
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| YUMMO! |
The smoothie was all fruit, no milk, added sugars, etc. and the bar was also all natural and oh, so yummy! This scrumptious snack may become my regular post run refreshment.
The moral of my ranting today is a little tidbit we have all heard preached to us numerous times. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. You never know who is listening and whose spirit you may crush in the process.
Until next time, run strong.
Until next time, run strong.
6 comments:
yup the other runner was a cocky jerk. the opinions of others are not nearly as important as our opinion of ourselves. run on and run strong.
I am SO proud of you young lady! This literally brought tears to my eyes at the end bc I have been there & I empathized with you during this time. I have been in your shoes & for you to buck up & strong it out....I totally admire you & respect you for that. Especially after the conditions that you all were enduring. Your words & actions just proved who the stronger person was on this training run sweetie & that was you! People like that has self esteem issues, trust me on this one! You have a good heart & a good coach, you will always finish strong with those qualities gf :) Again..i'm so very proud of you...& not many, including myself would have shined at the end as you did!
So sad that others words brought you down! I, like the others, are so proud of you for setting a goal...and then working very hard to obtain it! People say to me so often, "I don't know how you can run like you do!". Well, basically, with one foot in front of the other...and one mile at a time! Guess what...that RUDE runner needs to remember that she runs the same way that we all do!
Yeah, SCREW 'EM, LOL! When I first starting running at 195 pounds, I barely went faster than a brisk walk, but it was much better than what I WAS doing, which was N-O-T-H-I-N-G. You've taken charge, young lady, so bully for you for not handing it over to mean people!
I luv u! I'm also so very proud of you because you have made such a huge lifestyle change for all the right reasons! Stay strong!
Thank you for all the encouragment and kind words! Once I got it all out, I was pretty much over it and feeling better. Rude Runner really is to be pitied. She must feel terribly about herself if she must belittle her fellow runners and women.
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