Last week at the gym, I was ‘briskly walking’ as a warm up for my run. I was strutting along on the treadmill; listening to a song called “I Got A Man“. It’s about a guy who is trying desperately to pick up a girl and won’t give up. I distract myself with songs that make me laugh to make the time go by faster. Sample these lyrics:
I got a man
You got a what?
How long you had that problem?I got a man
I’m not tryin’ to hear that see.
Running has been an emotional journey right along with the physical one. The program I am using increases time and distance gradually, but it’s still scary. My husband pointed out to me that for four weeks straight, I told him that I couldn’t possibly do the next week’s workout – and then went and did the workout. I have finally let myself feel some pride and entertain the possibility that I might just run the whole race I am training for. I’d rather run slowly than walk; so run slowly it is.
So there I was; just getting ready to bump up the speed on the treadmill when I heard (over Positive K), “See like her. She’s not going fast enough”. It took me a second to realize that someone was talking about me. What the French toast?
I looked over at the two rudest people in the world who unfortunately, were occupying the treadmills next to me. They were laughing. At me. I got defensive and said “I’m just warming up”. They laughed again. One of them said “Still, you got to go faster. You’re not going fast enough”. I explained that this was my workout – I had it under control. They laughed again. I gave them my “mean” look, and they laughed at that too. ”Ooh, she’s getting mad!”.
I don’t know these people. I have never talked to them before. They both have about 15 years on me and seemed to be unlikely candidates for random meanness. I finally ended up just moving to another treadmill. If they thought I walked slow they would fall apart laughing at me when I started running.
You know what I wanted to do? Leave. Cry. Give up. I get wonderful support from my husband and the other women in my running group but two complete strangers came dangerously close to shutting me down. But they didn’t. I ran. Slowly, but I ran. And two days later I ran a little faster, a little further, and for a little longer, just like I was supposed to.
My silly music can block my mental whining out (my knees hurt, my lungs hurt, my feet hurt, I’m bored) but it couldn’t block out the two bullies next to me.
I thought I would turn it into a teachable moment for my daughter. I thought we would have a discussion about how to handle it when people are not nice. I thought I would tell her that sometimes you just have to move away from people, and if that doesn’t work; tell someone in charge. But when I told her about it, she said “Well, how fast were they running?”
She wasn’t even there and completely caught what I missed – they weren’t running at all. They were just hanging around being jerks. Am I really that fragile? Is my four year old daughter really that strong? I’m glad she has enough of her Dad in her to respond with “Oh yeah? Well whachYOU got?!” instead of getting defensive and derailed. It was definitely a teachable moment, but this time, I was the one who learned a lesson.
Is this a joke because Iwant to hurt them. Seriously??????!!!!
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Sheesh, people, get a new hobby. Or pick on someone your own age. Or just go outside and beat each other up.
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Listen it’s just like anything in life, people are put in places and intermingle in our lives. You will, unfortunately remember “the jerks at the gym that one time” but they won’t probably remember you or the impact they had on you. Like my grandmother says “It’s the devil working within them”. I believe she is right, but you passed that test and are now a stronger person because of it! You are awsome and steady and insipring to me…if it was not for you I would have quit a long time ago! I just want you to know if this doesn’t make you feel better I will take out their kneecaps…we’ll see how fast they can run then!
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Now see if it were me, I probably would have gotten off the treadmill and started swinging to see how fast they could run. Then again, I might have some anger issues.
Your daughter is right though…she must have learned that from some very wise adults! I always find it amazing to learn teachable moments from our children…they really do pay attention!
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Dang that song is a major blast from the past!! Anywho, what the??? I am always shocked that people have nothing better to do with their time then be rude.
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Children are our little reminders everyday of how to live real and honestly. I totally get what you are saying about running. I started a year ago with some girls a few years younger than myself. They are training for the River Bank Run and I am just trying to keep up with running 3 miles without dying a year later. Luckily, life is not a contest or a race and I believe with all my heart in a little thing called karma. Last year I couldn’t run 3 miles without dying inside. I won’t be doing the River Bank, but I can run 3 miles for the first time in my life so I keep running. Keep it up and whenever you need a reminder you know where to go.
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Seriously? I am speechless.
Lauren is an observant and mindful soul like her mum.
Proud of you that you didn’t let them get the best of you, we all know how strong and fiesty you are Jen! Keep up “your” workout you are doign a great job. And don’t let anyone take away what makes you feel good. You rock!
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How horrible! They must really have problems with themselves to have to do that to someone.
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I have so many things to say, I’ll try to get it all out…
First, I love that song. Anything ghetto rap with some serious base is perfect for running.
Next, don’t ever let someone steal your joy of running. Mean people suck and they suck no matter what you’re doing. It’s just like the old people who honk their horns and scowl at me as I run down the road. I can almost hear their sad little brains thinking ‘why’s that girl running, she’s going to shrink her ovaries and become sterile’. Forget about those stupid people that know SO MUCH that they can’t DO anything.
Remember that there will always be someone that runs fastser than you and there will always be someone that runs slower than you. At least we’re running
Lastly, never underestimate the power of our children to teach us. I forget and am reminded of this all the time. Heck, I’ve even learned a thing or two from my dogs.
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