Someone I had never met sat down where I was stretching at the local YMCA and told me that I would never be able to beat the best runners in my city. He had never run with or against me and could not have known my best times at any distance!
I was surprised but said nothing.
I had a guy tell me that I looked more like a soccer player than a distance runner. I think he meant it as a complement but it started a serious eating disorder that I’m still not over 100%.
At a public gym. Personal trainer next to me had a very huge client.
Was doing a threshold session, the trainer said something along the lines of 'sprinting on the treadmill is pointless, it's just good for the ego.' to her client, whilst looking at me.
Was in the middle of a 5 x 6 mins @ HMP, never felt so insulted.
a personal trainer wrote:
At a public gym. Personal trainer next to me had a very huge client.
Was doing a threshold session, the trainer said something along the lines of 'sprinting on the treadmill is pointless, it's just good for the ego.' to her client, whilst looking at me.
Was in the middle of a 5 x 6 mins @ HMP
Moran
I PR-ed with a 2:48 and when talking to people at work someone asked me how far I was behind the winner. I said about 40 min. He then said (jokingly) "did y'all start at the same time"?
I was always told by other runners (mostly teammates) that I looked slower than I was. Probably that. In hindsight it was true though, there are some pretty funny videos of me racing against good collegiate runners and it did genuinely look like I had to be the slowest guy on the track, even when I won.
Similarly, I had an asst track coach tell me, "You don't look like you're running very fast, even when you are."
Like, what?
I think he meant, I'm a taller runner, so my turnover isn't as fast.
Not really an insult but I heard "Mom, why's that girl running shirtless?" when I was running on vacation once.
Coworker said I looked like a 3:08 — 08!— marathoner.
At school a teacher said I run like a demented camel. This was for 100/200.
a personal trainer wrote:
At a public gym. Personal trainer next to me had a very huge client.
Was doing a threshold session, the trainer said something along the lines of 'sprinting on the treadmill is pointless, it's just good for the ego.' to her client, whilst looking at me.
Was in the middle of a 5 x 6 mins @ HMP, never felt so insulted.
An insult from an idiot is the best compliment ever. You should be happy about it. :)
Runnerrrrr wrote:
Similarly, I had an asst track coach tell me, "You don't look like you're running very fast, even when you are."
Like, what?
I think he meant, I'm a taller runner, so my turnover isn't as fast.
Without further context, I would assume he meant to say "you run relaxed, even when running fast", which was supposed to be a compliment actually. But again, I don't know.
Precious Roy wrote:
I PR-ed with a 2:48 and when talking to people at work someone asked me how far I was behind the winner. I said about 40 min. He then said (jokingly) "did y'all start at the same time"?
Ouch.
This post was removed.
Atlantic City Marathon 10 years ago - age 54. I was feeling good about my 8 minute/mile, BQ pace and a boardwalk pedestrian shouted "Let's go old guy!". Not intended as derogatory but...
John Parker: "Did you used to be a football player?"
Me: "Yes."
John Parker: "Yeah."
More recently.
Redneck in a Huge Truck, On a Country Road: "Man, how many miles a week do you run?"
Me: "About 45-50."
Redneck: "Well, Sir, you are an inspiration to all the young people around here."
my two pennies wrote:
I was always told by other runners (mostly teammates) that I looked slower than I was. Probably that. In hindsight it was true though, there are some pretty funny videos of me racing against good collegiate runners and it did genuinely look like I had to be the slowest guy on the track, even when I won.
I was always told by others that I looked fewer peniled than I was. Probably that.
plodder pacer wrote:
Atlantic City Marathon 10 years ago - age 54. I was feeling good about my 8 minute/mile, BQ pace and a boardwalk pedestrian shouted "Let's go old guy!". Not intended as derogatory but...
These types of comments are made by someone who has never really run. They know nothing and might even be a Hater. There are lots of those!
"Maybe you should stop running"
He told me I could and should be racing Jakob Ingebrigtsen if I actually trained and took care of myself properly. I told him to shut up, hand me another beer and cordially give me permission to make move on his sister.