But, just one more thing.
Why is it that the negative sticks in our heads and swirls around and corrodes our beings, when there is just as much (if not more!) positive out there?
Here's the thing:
I raced the Philadelphia marathon. I finished in 4:18. Not the best time in the world, but I don't think it's anything to be ashamed of. I'll get faster; I'm getting faster. But even if I wasn't...I finished a marathon, that's pretty cool in and of itself, right?
And I got a million nice comments from everyone, my friends and family all supported me, and it made me feel great. I was proud.
But then this one anonymous jerk-off left a comment saying "4:18 in Philly? Did you walk the whole thing?", and now that's all I think about when I think of the race and my time. Yes, it's stupid.
So, Iron Pol...I guess that's where my degredation of my 10min/m came from. I know it's not slow (no, you can't walk a 9:52 mile); there's nothing wrong with it. But, I guess I just forgot for a little while that I should be proud of what I've accomplished and do my best to ignore the pundits--especially the stupid, mean ones...
8 comments:
Negative comments suck--especially the "I'm better than you because I'm so fast" variety.
When last I checked, nobody commenting in the blogosphere was ripping off 2:20 marathons. If you're getting your jollies comparing your 3:30 to my 3:53, how small can you be?
It's all good Curly, the internet lends itself to cowards, obviously this poster is on of them.
Would they say that to your face? I doubt it, but unfortanelty they can hide themselves on the internet. Don't let the clown bother you.
Congrats on your finish, and even though I will not be at Wildflower, I'm sure you'll rock that course too.
I try (and don't always succeed) to remember the advice of Dale Carnegie who, when confronted by a rude person, and responded with civility and politeness, said that he would not allow someone else to control his feelings and attitude.
Of course that is much easier said than done.
Ya know, I was going to say somethin' before about you saying something to the effect of "I'm not fast," because I was like, HOLD UP! Youse, like, MY pace! So if you put yourself down even just a teensy bit, you are sort of putting me down, too! And I am just not gonna take that! :) ha ha
And on that note, 4:18 on the nose is my current PR in Cincy--and I say that is just FINE with me! I know, I would totally be the same way if some sad little anonymous person threw a jab. But--just remember, you're out here for YOU. I cried like a little baby at the finish line of my 2nd marathon, when I realized I had PR'd by almost an hour on a relatively hilly course, as I realized what my body had just done and how far I'd come in a year...if memory serves me right, you weren't even sure you were going to do this marathon until a month before, right? Holy moly! That's AWESOME--there are some people who train all year and can't run a 4:18.
So it's not a BQ...ya know what? We've got plenty of years ahead of us and lots of races and PR's left.
You ARE fast. And you're only getting FASTER.
*gets down off of soapbox* :)
I've been thinking about a post on this topic. I think it doesn't matter how fast or far we go there will always be one jerk-off trying to bring us down to their level. Never forget how great all the things are that you've accomplished and how much they have added to what makes up you :)
any time someone makes a negative comment like that, i have to assume their ego is so small and fragile (Frajeeelay...sorry, just watched Christmas Story) that the only way they can feel good about themselves is to make someone else feel bad. makes me kinda almost feel sorry for them...but not really.
i think 4:18 rocks!
I can't believe someone said that! Especially about a 4:18!
So good on you for recognising the stupidity and cowardice of that jerk!
we've just gone through this with Team raceAthlete CSu. putting more, and more, of ourselves out there for scrutiny.
we finally decided that "you can't please everyone".
we lost a LOT of sleep, and were sick to our stomachs about what a few in the vocal minority said about us.
there are good wonderful people in the world like you, and then there are A-holes like Mr. Anonymous.
i'm over it. i hope you are too.
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