naysayers

Yeah...just tonight I got "So when is your little marathon, Cindy?" while at work.  Never mind that the woman who said it is normally good hearted and TBH I don't think she meant it the way it sounded. Which I think is the norm...not that people mean to discourage, they just don't get it. 

When I'm among non-athletic types, I keep my tri talk pretty much to myself.  I find that even if they aren't out and out "naysayers" they don't usually get where I'm coming from so they say off the wall stuff.  I don't blame anyone...different strokes for different folks right? 

My biggest issue to start with was when people asked me what I was training for, and I said a sprint tri, and explained the distances, about 4 of my colleagues said "but surely you can just DO that, you shouldn't need to train should you?".

I then had several people tell me that they can do a sprint tri from a sofa start, particularly the running 5km bit. "Most people can run 5km Jac, aren't you being a dramatic saying that you're training for it?".

I didn't bother explaining that I have always found running really hard, and that I'm really excited about the progress I've made so far.

I actually hadn't intended to tell anyone at all that I was training, but my partner, who also works with me, is really proud of my progress, and he told some colleagues who then asked me during after-work drinks.

It doesn't help that one of my colleagues is an ex age-group triathlon champion and had world rankings a few years back. On the surface of it he is supportive, but is also quick to laugh and make "that's nothing, when I was training......" statements quite often.

But, you know, I don't care because I'm training and getting fitter and stronger and I don't give a flying fig that anyone thinks I'm silly. At least not that I'd admit to anyone other than BTers anyway.

Fools, the lot of 'em!

I recently did my first Oly and while discussing it with my non-tri mates afterwards, two (both runners) said 'i could do the cycle and the run, but i'm not a very good swimmer'.  Complete BS.  It takes training to cycle 40k then do a 10k run, even if you can manage a 10k on its own.  Ditto for a sprint.   Mastering the three disciplines is what its all about.

I'd direct the naysayers to your training log and ask them if they exercise/train as many hours as you do.  That's an awesome blog with all the biking and effort.

My work neighbor is a huge biker and she just signed up for the Lake Placid Ironman next year.  I thought she was nuts, but always supported it and found it really cool to hear about it.  That support led to my interest and searching and inevitable entry into training for a Sprint.  Heck, if she can do an Ironman, I can do a sprint right?  Now my wife and I are both into it!!!

So maybe you need to share more with them and you'll be their motivator.

More importantly you already have the support you need with your mom and wife!  Forget everyone else!

That stinks!  I'd expect so much more from someone like that.  What a jerk.  So many people on this site are totally supportive and happy to welcome newbies and coach/motivate them.  Its a shame his ego is getting in the way.

I get this all the time from co-workers and even well-meaning family members who just don't "get it."  I completed my goal race of the season this past weekend (an oly) and, when I returned to work on Monday with numbers on my arms and legs, I got all kinds of questions...

Did you run a marathon?  Yes, I just sweat so profusely that it would have destroyed my race number and therefore I had to be body-marked.

Did you win your triathlon?  Seeing as it was the Canadian National Championships and this is my first season, obviously I blew all the pros out of the water.

But you know, one of my co-workers goes to the gym every morning to train for curling.  Yes, I said curling.  So I understand what he must think when I explain that I went to the lake for a swim at 6:00 am.  To each his own.

I'm pretty sure that my colleague, the champion, intends to be supportive and helpful, and makes his comments to illustrate that he too struggled at times. He has been really helpful at other times, which is why I find it so hard when he does it!

Everyone is right, non-converts have no real idea of what it is we are trying to do, do they?

My first question would've been, "why the hell do you still have your bodymarking on?!?!". 

You know that rubbing alcohol takes it off quickly, easily and painlessly, right? 

Thanks for the tip!  I scrubbed and scrubbed and it just wouldn't come off...

You need to keep statements like this to yourself. My wife might see this. After my first TRI she asked if I was going to wash those numbers off. In response to the tone in her voice I said yes. "Sorry honey, I scrubbed as best as I could. They will just have to wear off." She was ok, sinced I tried, when actually I just rinsed the sweat and salt off of the markings.

Taylor, have these people just visit my website: www.ucankissmy@$$.com