Is it OK to lie to a competitor (or teammate) about training or previous injury?

It's ok, I guess. It's a little weird, though. Especially lying to your teammates. I can't think of any good reason to do that. I think its normal to be a little vague to competitors, but I wouldn't lie to them about what I've been up to.

Why would you want to be known as being full of shit? It's kind of like crying wolf. One of these days you actually are going to be low on miles or hurt and they won't believe it. Then when they own you they're going to gloat twice as hard.

Better to be less of a creepy insecure ass and let the legs do the talking.

if you are a better runner than your competitors/teammates why would you need to lie? you could stomp them regardless so what does it matter?

are you afraid of them giving you their best effort? If not, I see no reason to lie. If you are, then I don't know why they would care what you do in the first place.

Lying to your teammates seems unethical to me. But anything you say to a competitor to give you an edge falls under the heading of gamesmanship. People should keep this in mind when they ask for elite athlete X's training plan. There are plenty of folks like Johnny Mac that give coaching seminars, and the information is probably relatively accurate. But an elite athlete that's competing has no incentive whatsoever to tell his competition exactly what he's doing (see: Marius).

It's only fair game if it's before the race, and you win. Pre-emptive trash talking is the only way to go. I once ran against a kid that told me he had lost to me because he had dropped acid the night before. Laaaame.

Lying about training and injuries is justifiable because everyone does it. It's like taking candy from a baby. Carl Lewis was lying about his training in 1988.

NEVER. Get off my team, you lying dweeb!

I lied to two teammates. The arrogant number 1 and 2 runners. I busted my butt over vacation and maybe had a shot at their spots but I didn't want to tell them how hard I worked.

I play a lot of head games before and during a race to my competitors. The injury lie was a couple weeks before a major competition. During races my best head game is to compliment my competitor. Its weird but I think it works. "Your looking strong" "Keep that pace up, good job" "Great race" "Lets push this pace" Its like you are so secure and confidant that you can throw a supportive compliment.

Or I like to draft up close for a while before blowing by.

cf. "Why do people like weasels????" thread.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor...

Your parents should have taught you not to lie, cheat, or steal. ( Not that I myself have EVER done any of them, of course)

But that is the ideal we all should strive for.

i wouldn't lie about being injured that's stupid, but there's nothing wrong with telling competition you don't think you're in shape

just a racer with drive wrote:

What's included in fair play and just good gamesmanship. I told a mutual friend of a competitor that I had a bad injury. I knew it would get back. I started the race slow and shocked him when I passed with a mile to go.

I under report the miles I run to some teammates.

YOU"RE A SUN OF A BITCH.

even though its spelled son.

just a racer with drive wrote:

What's included in fair play and just good gamesmanship. I told a mutual friend of a competitor that I had a bad injury. I knew it would get back. I started the race slow and shocked him when I passed with a mile to go.

I under report the miles I run to some teammates.

I lie to my competitors about not taking EPO and other drugs. It shocks them when I run sub-26:30 10,000 meters races and am not out of breath.

I don't understand the point of lying to them. So they disregard you in the race, and you surprise them? It won't happen twice. So they think you have natural talent and aren't training very hard? Then they'll be surprised when they improve from harder training and you never do. Think in terms of seasons, not race to race.

I think it's much better to be vague about your training and condition. "hows training?" "oh, you know, trying to get the miles in" when really you are working yourself into an incoherent stupor churning out blazing intervals and high milage weekends. And recovering like a Jamaican on vacation.

To me the strategy is to find a system which works better than everyone elses, and keep your mouth shut about it.

josh wrote:

I don't understand the point of lying to them.

the only reason anyone lies about training or injuries is so they have an excuse when they lose.

Yes. I wonder if he is saying it as a safe-guard?

sam w wrote:

josh wrote:

I don't understand the point of lying to them.

the only reason anyone lies about training or injuries is so they have an excuse when they lose.

So very true.