Do you guys know anyone with this attitude? Part of my journey has been about trying my hardest to be a more compassionate and understanding person. To be less judgey about other people’s choices. Trust me, I don’t always get there! But it’s an ongoing effort.
Recently I had a friend of mine who was up on his high horse about how running on a treadmill isn’t really running. That you have to be out there – in the cold, pounding the pavement to be a “real” runner.
That’s not the first time I’ve encountered that attitude. I even believed it. Just a year ago I found myself running outside in the teens – freezing my fucking ass off and dodging ice patches. I came into the building where I work and had to ask a security guy to open a door for me because despite heavy gloves I couldn’t move my fingers. It took about 30 minutes for the feeling to come back.
But I had in my mind that I had to do this.
Not anymore.
I have run 117.6 miles so far this year. And every single one of them has been on the treadmill. So does that make me a “fake” runner?
That same friend, who told me that my treadmill miles didn’t count, also chose to scrutinize what I was eating last week when we were at a conference.
“You’re going to have to run 30 miles on your treadmill to burn that off!” he said staring at my plate. “Why don’t you not worry about what I am eating and how far I’m going to run?” I said back to him.
I don’t get why some people feel the need to sit on their high horse and judge how other people eat and exercise.
Now taking someone to the side and having a frank discussion out of concern for something like an eating disorder is different. OR if you make a pact with a friend and ask that he or she tell you when you are veering off course – that’s totally different.
As you all know, I am struggling with my weight right now. But I am trying. And how I chose to go about it? I would think that people would support ANY effort someone makes to get healthy instead of judging them.
And I’m going to remind myself of that the next time I get an attitude towards someone and how they are choosing to run their lives!
Running on a treadmill is still running!!! Don't let this friend rent space in your head. Maybe you could have a discussion about the way you would like to be supported in your efforts.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this person defines "friend." Acquaintance, associate, co-worker, maybe.
ReplyDeleteStick with the treadmill. It is indeed real running!