Why do people LIE to serious runners?

There are really 2 explanations.

1. People ran the time they specified, but the distance is just completely inaccurate. The best example I've heard of is usually the gym class mile or something, where they're told that they're running the mile and do like 3 laps around the school or something... These people usually have no context for what the distance really is and just go based upon what they're told... A perfect example is that dope from the weight lifting message board who said he ran the mile in 3:10 or something, and totally believed it... someone has the link I'm sure... i wasted a good hour reading that thread dying laughing.

2. People just try to sound fast, but don't have any context as to what fast is... "Yea, I ran 1:46", but have no idea that would take you to USA's almost every year.

As I've gotten older, it doesn't bother me that much anymore, but when i was in college, and training my ass off, I thought it was pretty insulting.

It nags you because this is something that identifies you and something you work your ass off year round, 24/7... and to have some dope associate his own performance with yours, when you know it's bullshit, is insulting, it's like introducing yourself as something your not...

Hi, I'm 14:58 5k, it's nice to meet you. Yes, I ran in college and trained my ass off for 5 years...

Oh hello, I remember I ran a 5k race once, I ran 11:42... but I decided to focus on tennis.

I think it just boils down to most people just don't care or don't know enough about running to have any type of knowledgeable context about it.

Giddy wrote:

I think it just boils down to most people just don't care or don't know enough about running to have any type of knowledgeable context about it.

I would agree and why do they feel the need to pretend, or try and act like they do. The Lie is usually not to try and be deceitful it is simply made in conversation. I played football all the time as a elementary kid, but if I am talking to a former college player I don't bring it up. Yet I can still talk football without being a douche.

Like most ex runners He can't remember what times he ran. I know, I meet these people all the time.

Read my post! It has nothing to do with his memory. He lied about taking 3rd in State -- my accomplishment!

Did his misremember crossing the finish line in third? No! He lied.

If I'm a jerk for pointing out his lie and laughing at the absurdity of his lie, then I guess that's something I can live with. But, at least I have integrity.

I don't open conversations with strangers who I discover are girls basketball coaches saying, "when I was in high school I dunked on Lisa Leslie."

And why do I care?? Because it pisses me off when people lie to my face and treat me like fool. Don't you care when people lie to you?

You're not a jerk for calling people out on lies. Let them know they're lying. They SHOULD know.

4/10 because some bought it.

I have people say similar things to me all the time too. I give them the benefit of the doubt and just assume that since they know nothing about running that they just remembered incorrectly. I have no need to call them out on it. Not slamming you for doing it...just saying it's not something I do, because if I did, I'd have to correct people all the time, and that's just not in my nature.

I don't think I would have a choice whether to laugh at that guy or not. If someone says "1:26 for 800" I'm going to laugh IMMEDIATELY, without a doubt. Same as if they said 8 seconds for the 100. It's silly. Anyone who wouldn't immediately laugh upon hearing something ridiculous like that doesn't know enough about track records to appreciate the outright absurdity. I'd actually get way less annoyed with someone saying dumb stuff like that than I would with the more usual situation, which is someone making up a time that's ALMOST believable, but you know they didn't actually do it.

and wrote:

Lying is not forbidden by The Ten Commandments.

Number nine, you godless sonofabitch

I'm totally with the OP and the quoted poster on this one. How are you supposed to feel when you've trained your butt off for years and run some fantastic times, only to hear that this guy thinks he's a minute faster than you (or the world record) in the mile. Maybe he tells your friends and coworkers too. It trivializes your efforts and it's a big jerk move on the part of the liar.

"The older I get, the better I was." - Dizzy Dean

you did the right thing!

I agree that the OP did the right thing by calling out the liar.

But this thread makes me wonder how many people think I lie about my running accomplishments. I ran low 4:20s for the 1600 in HS, then 14:38/31:30 in college, but two decades later you'd never know it because I weight in excess of two bills and probably couldn't bust 2:00 for a quarter.

look, the lie is not the worst part of all of this. it is the fact that this guy HAD to tell you have fast he ran for 800 meters. did you ask him? no. so why he felt the need to brag (or in this case, lie) is beyond me. are people really that desperate for attention that they go around telling of past accomplishments? the ego is a funny thing.

and wrote:

Lying is not forbidden by The Ten Commandments.

Yeah it is moron. Thou shall not bear false witness. That also covers lying to your neighbor.

An old roommate once told me that he ran 4:12 for the mile in high school as a sophomore, won the 1600m at the NY state meet, and that he "got bored" with running and decided to get into music after winning the race. I checked...nada.

This guy was very fit, and one day proclaimed that he was taking running "back up". We decided to jump into an all-comer's meet for kicks and race the 800 together.

I wasn't running much at the time, but still managed a 2:02. The high school sophomore phenom, who didn't have an ounce of fat or bulk muscle on him?

2:28 for 800m.

4:12 mile/ NY State Champ my a$$.

Giddy wrote:

There are really 2 explanations.

1. P A perfect example is that dope from the weight lifting message board who said he ran the mile in 3:10 or something, and totally believed it... someone has the link I'm sure... i wasted a good hour reading that thread dying laughing.

Another recommendation for finding this thread, there is a link somewhere among LR threads. A very amusing read.

stuck with match.com wrote:

'why do runners get their panties in a bunch when they hear other people make wrong statements'

Or maybe the better question, 'why do other people get their panties in a bunch when Galen Rupp runs well'

So you're ok with running fibbers but not ok with running fast - I can now see why that girl wanted nothing to do with you.

Brent wrote:

You are obviously lost. Let me help you out. The game is to not call him, or anyone, EVER, on their lies, so that they will never call you on yours. That's the game, and those are the unspoken rules. Enjoy!

Seriously, give it a try. Tell him that you used to be the most highly recruited basketball player in the country, but you decided you wanted to go straight into coaching track. In fact, you almost signed onto an NBA team straight from HS, but you can't say any more than that because that team requested you to keep it all hush-hush.

This was the correct answer.

It lets him know you know he's lying, but allows him to save a little face. And hopefully you can both laugh at your little white lies.

You do have to work with each other.

Try to get along.

The world already sucks bad enough, don't make it worse.

rcyouknow wrote:

If I'm a jerk for pointing out his lie and laughing at the absurdity of his lie, then I guess that's something I can live with. But, at least I have integrity.

[...]

And why do I care?? Because it pisses me off when people lie to my face and treat me like fool. Don't you care when people lie to you?

Hear hear!

Keep fighting the good fight.