Question for those who went "couch to triathlete" (Page 2)

I went from a complete 20-year slug to tri's last year and to a half marathon this spring.  Don't expect too much from your friends.  You do all of this stuff for you, so keep your friendships "other focused," if you know what I mean. 

I understand that common interests are a factor in lots of relationships, but just because you are newly obsessed with this as a way of life, you can't expect others to jump on board with you and be as enthralled and "supportive."  Heck, I don't even know what being "supportive" of your exercise regime means.  Is that just saying youwant them to be as excited as you are, or as excited about it as you think they should be?  In my view, that is asking too much.  They are either interested in it, or not, but I'm happy if they just don't get in my way.   

Think about how much you like to listen to others' interests, when you don't share them!  I mean, pick something... anything you don't like.  For example, if I had a friend who was interested in collecting, um, those bug-eyed "Precious Moments" figurines, and I had to listen to more than two minutes of it, I'd probably lose it.  If they aren't into it, and will listen politely for two minutes (at some point) about my exercise, that is giving a lot. 

Finally, consider the possibility that your world may have become too narrow if you can't find other things to relate with people you call your friends.  Its up to you to put forth some more effort in being focused on something else so as to make the relationships work. 

I've lost about 105 pounds since I started all this 6 years ago.   

My non-running friends might ask me if I have any races coming up, but I ususally know to keep my answers short.  I don't know how many times I have had to answer the question "how long is that marathon?"  If I want to debate the merits of Yasso 800's versus 1600 meter track intervals I do it with my running friends. 

My first Ironman is coming up in July.  Penticton is about a 4.5 hour drive from home.  I'm expecting a few running friends to be there, and some close family.  Not the non-running friends though. 

In some respects, my dive into the world of triathlons has been a wild success in terms of my friends -- over the past three years, I can count almost 10 girls that would NEVER have done a tri if it weren't for me.  I'm proud that I was able to get them out there, even if they haven't become as obsessed as I have about the sport.

On the other hand, I too have (had?) a couple of close friends who just don't get it.  They get upset when I don't go out to the bars all the time.  I really, really want them to come out and watch me compete just once or twice, but it's too early in the morning for them.  I don't need for them to jump into the sport, I'd just love for them to show some interest in ME.  One of them is into martial arts (something that doesn't interest me a whole lot), but I make an effort to go see her compete though she doesn't return the favor.  Just makes me realize that probably the biggest thing we had in common was drinking....  I miss them, but it's probably the way it was meant to work out.

And - now because of BT I have some GREAT new friends!  People who can talk all day about tris and not get bored.    People who, when I say, "hey, what do you think about going doing 60 miles on the bike and then doing a quick 45 minute run", don't think I'm completely wacko!