Upon reading my posts, you may have gathered that I am a highly motivated, goal-oriented person. My friends and loved ones will attest to the contagiousness of my energy and enthusiastic spirit. My positive attitude combined with strong ambition fuel my ability to accomplish my goals and dreams.
This past weekend, my family and I went to my nephew’s 2nd birthday party. An old friend of my SIL’s also attended the party. She has been training for triathlons some time and I was excited to pick her brain about our shared interest in the sport.
I proudly told her about my latest endeavors and she snidely remarks, “Those aren’t real triathlons. If you aren’t swimming 2 miles and feel like you are going to die, then you’ve not done a real tri.”
Talk about crushing someone’s spirit! That’s like telling someone who runs 5K, “You’re not a real runner unless you run a marathon.”
Even in my shock, I scripted a pretty decent rebuttal. “I believe a triathlon is defined by completing 3 physical activities: swim, bike and run. If we went around the room and polled everyone, I think you would find everyone’s response to include those three things. And, yes, technically it is only a sprint, but it feels like a REAL triathlon to me. And despite what you may think, I do feel like I am going to die during and after, but I love it! It’s not about the distance for me, but the challenge and trying to compete against my own time.”
With a stunned expression, she replied “Well, I compete against myself as well, but I don’t event like triathlons.”
“Then, why do you even do them?”
“I do them because my friends convinced me to do it, but I don’t like them.”
“So, you caved to peer pressure? Interesting.”
The longer I spoke with her, the more my blood began to boil. I realize I am no Hollie Kenney, but I do best and I am damn proud of what I do! The other athletes I have met at the various races have been so supportive and encouraging. My friends and family applaud my achievements and in turn, I celebrate their hard-work too. Where did this chick come off?
To avoid an ugly scene turning even uglier, I took a few deep cleansing breaths and escaped to the patio to discuss politics with my BIL. Discussing Obama over a beer would make me feel better.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Denise,
I was very saddened to discover this blog post and see how you have distorted and misrepresented what actually transpired at your SIL’s house between us.
As the mother of three children, one with special needs, I celebrate everyone’s personal achievements. You will recall that I more than commended you on yours.
Setting the facts of the conversation straight, it was you who dismissed how hard I had worked when I told you how I had barely been able to finish the Mad Dog Tri. You stated that the events you were participating in were easy and “barely left you out of breath”. I then suggested that maybe you should try a triathlon that would test you more. That was the extent of my “criticism”. That’s it. No more.
I am not going to rebut your accusations point by point as they are without substance. However, it is almost slanderous to state that I don’t like triathlons or that I do them because of peer pressure.
I don’t have the time to participate in an extended war of words over a conversation that was friendly and mutually helpful and left no indication of bitterness from you at the time.
I would suggest that your name calling (Why Even Tri Girl?), and vendetta against me, as though our triathlon enthusiasm were anything other than a recreational hobby, says more about you as a person than anything you have said about me. I have never posted a thing about you, slandered you, or nicknamed you in a derogatory fashion.
I find that your unnecessary attacks on me run in stark contrast to your self proclaimed declarations of positive reinforcement. I am sure that there are readers who will agree with me.
However, I am happy that you have found comfort in beating me in the AFO half-marathon. I congratulated you then and I will repeat the same. However, I will not be drawn into your game as life is too short and I have too many races to run.
I wish you well, as I recall recently running into you at the movies and talking about races and joking about water-stops. Our interacton never gave away your true feelings towards me, but I consider this matter, as well as our friendship, to be now closed.