Getting teased for training

MrsK20141004 · July 2013

Tell him to put up or shut up.....

He's obviously a loser who can only feel better trying to put others down. Offer to pay the entry fee for him and watch him weasel his way out......

Exactly. I had the exact same situation with a coworker a few years ago. She was on me about starting to run and so I finally got her to sign up for the race, she did well (and she trained too) but still was on me about being slow and fat. She was a treat.

rml_16 · July 2013

I thought it would give me motivation and support to "go public" with my upcoming 5k in September. I'm doing the couch to 5k running program and I'm on week 4. I'm starting to notice that I'm getting faster and have more endurance, so I'm getting excited for what my race time will be. There's a co-worker who consistently teases me for training for a 5k. I've told him time and time again that I haven't run regularly in over a year and don't want to hurt myself. He just scoffs and tells me he could run a 5k in under 30 minutes with no preparation. It's very discouraging. Have any of you been in a similar situation? If so, any pointers on what I can say/do in this situation? Any advice on what I can do to stay motivated despite the snarky comments from this negative nancy?

So challenge him to prove it. Have him stop running between now and then and see how he does.

I'm not very fast and I don't do any "official" training, but when I don't have two broken arms, I do a lot of cardio -- running, elliptical, swimming and rollerblading (thus two broken arms), so essentially, I'm always training. It's necessary, for sure.

ryry_ · July 2013

I find the easiest way to tell someone to take it elsewhere only involves a one word answer.

Without looking up from your computer, just say "cool". You have to extend the oo sound and have just the slighest hint of sarcasm in your voice. At no point do you look up from your monitor.

ken_hogan · July 2013

Tell him to put up or shut up.....

He's obviously a loser who can only feel better trying to put others down. Offer to pay the entry fee for him and watch him weasel his way out......

I liked this advice. I was going to say something similar to ask him to do the run with you if he's that confident...

deeprender · July 2013

Bring him a sign up form for your race and tell him that you are targeting sub 30 and you were hoping he could be your pacer.

I agree that this guy isn't worth your time but at some point enough is enough.

Love this reply, lol!

StaceyP211 · July 2013

Whether or not it is true that he can do the 5K in under 30 minutes (which would mean that he can run a mile in a bout 8 minutes), he needs stop using you to boost his ego. Congratulations on your decision. I did my first 5k and it took me 48 minutes to do it! You know what the awesome part is? I FINISHED!!!!

Don't allow him to discourage you or steal your thunder. When you are ready to run yours, challenge him to run it with you... I'll bet that he won't show! :laugh:

stealthSLOTH · July 2013

He just scoffs and tells me he could run a 5k in under 30 minutes with no preparation.

It's not nice, but if he is driving you bananas, you can just look at him and say in a deadpan way: 'Were we talking about you? Why do you always make this about you?' :laugh:

marsha. marsha. marsha.

if that doesn't work, step two would be: 'Do you really need to put me down to make you feel good about yourself? Because I'm starting to be embarrassed for you...'

I think he won't have a reply to that one. I do admit that it's mean. :embarassed:

ntjelmeland · July 2013

He's agreed to run in the race. Hopefully he plans on bringing plenty of ice for his injuries post race... If he finishes.

mazdauk · July 2013

Bring him a sign up form for your race and tell him that you are targeting sub 30 and you were hoping he could be your pacer.

I agree that this guy isn't worth your time but at some point enough is enough.

Yes to this!!! Of course if he does take you up you've got yourself a new running partner......

cwolfman13 · July 2013

People often mock what they don't understand. In my experience, most people are ****ing lazy *kitten* which is why they're also fat *kitten*...so they don't understand remotely the concept of getting in shape and getting healthy. This is from one of my friend's profiles and is absolutely truth...

Is It Really Worth It?

It will require commitment and dedication.

It will require you to say “no” sometimes.

It will require sacrifice.

It won’t be quick.

It won’t be easy.

It won’t be fun all of the time

Your friends will laugh at you for doing things differently.

Your coworkers will gawk and poke fun at your new eating habits.

Your loved ones will call you crazy and ask you to “be normal.”

You will have to change some habits.

You will want to give up.

You will want to go back to bed.

You will want to say “eh, good enough.”

And you will ask yourself: “is it really worth it?”

You’re damn right it is.

You will feel great when you set a new record for push ups.

You will let out a rebel yell when doing your first pull up.

You will feel awesome running faster this week than last week.

You will be amazed at how far you’ve come when looking at old pictures.

You will feel good when people ask “have you been working out?”

You will smile when your kids say “I want to be strong like you!”

You will be surprised when people come to you for fitness advice.

You will feel pride when you look at yourself in the mirror.

You will go to sleep knowing that you’re a better person today than you were yesterday.

It is worth it.

ntjelmeland · July 2013

Ran the race and he was a no show! Ran my first 5k in 30:13!

TR0berts · July 2013

Ran the race and he was a no show! Ran my first 5k in 30:13!

Shocked, I am... SHOCKED!!!

Oh, and good job on completing your first 5k!

VioletNightshade · July 2013

Remember the Tortoise and the Hare fairy tale? You're slowly and surely working towards your goal steadily and he's bouncing about, wearing himself out, lazing around, and when the time comes to put his money where his mouth is, he'll be asleep under a tree while you pass him by. Let him gloat, it's all he really has. He may have the natural ABILITY to do what you're doing, sure, if his strutting is, in fact, justified, but 'slow and steady wins the race,' and who cares if he can? Are you doing this to impress him? No? Then he can take his opinion and stuff it.

And congrats on your first 5k!! Go you!!

malk2651 · July 2013

Ran the race and he was a no show! Ran my first 5k in 30:13!

Oh sweet, sweet victory.

bokodasu · July 2013

Ran the race and he was a no show! Ran my first 5k in 30:13!

You are awesome, and I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Now when you see him at work you can say, "hey, somehow I missed you at the race, what was your time?" all innocent-like and watch him squirm. Good times!

kdkyzer · July 2013

Way to go!!! Well done!

JenAndSome · July 2013

Don't be discouraged because some guy is being a jerk. If he can do a 5k in under 30 minutes without training, good for him. Some people are just better/faster runners. Just ignore him or don't talk to him about it anymore. It sounds like you are doing good. Focus on your goals and keep up the good work.