So I took our kids to a birthday party this morning, (seriously who has a kid’s birthday at 9:30am on a Sunday; but I digress). Chatting to one of the parents I had a conversation that went something along the lines of…
Parent; so do you watch sports?
Me; no, not really the Tour de France if I can but that’s about it I guess
Parent; oh so you don’t watch soccer…but your British?
Me; no, sorry, I run a bit and ride a road bike
Parent; oh do you race?
Me; yes, not to win though, just to finish
Parent; do you run 10ks then?
Me; no, I like longer races
Parent; oh?
Me; well I ran a couple of 50kms and a 50 miler earlier this year
Parent; oh…
Me; and I have just started training for a 100 mile race
Parent; oh…so have you run any marathons?
Me; yes I’ve run a couple, I ran LA last year
Parent; wow, running a marathon, now that’s a long way
Me; um yeah!
Yeah...there's really no where to go from there, is there? Do you think he had any idea that a 50 km run or a 50 miler is farther than a marathon? Ah well...
ReplyDeleteHahaha...
ReplyDeleteThe marathon is the be all and end all I guess to the layman. Hysterical.
I love non-runners. More specifically, ignorant, sedentary people who’s primary hobby is watching TV and eating popcorn. They make me want to peal my skin off.
ReplyDeleteLOL!!
ReplyDeleteLMAO... so funny. I was asked how long the marathon that i ran was.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, a sunday morning birthday party??
Amazing! Some people just do not listen....amazing...
ReplyDeleteHA .. thanks for the morning smile. great blog
ReplyDeleteExcellent commentary. I also run Ultras and find I engage in conversations like this quite often, but it never fails to make me laugh :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, those marathons are SO much longer than those 50 and 100 milers!
ReplyDeleteSome people do not understand us, do they? I don't even try to explain to people when I first meet them. It's not worth the time and effort. LOL If I know the relationship is going somewhere, I may take the time. I seriously don't think most people can grasp it.
ReplyDeleteWell next time you'll call it a 100 mile ultra marathon instead of a race.
ReplyDeleteTee Hee!
ReplyDeleteI like the "I hope you win" encouragement from non-runners.
Ha! At least he didn't ask you how long the LA marathon was!
ReplyDeleteLOL...I bet you thought that you had entered the Twilight zone.
ReplyDeleteWait - so you mean you have to run at least a marathon in a 50 miler? Well, crap.
ReplyDeleteAt least you didn't get the "Running is bad for your knees" response. I got this from a very overweight co-worker who was still limping around 2 years after having knee surgery. OK, I better quit running then so I can be just like you!
ReplyDeleteHa! Sounds all too familiar!
ReplyDeleteThis just cracks me up!
ReplyDeletehaha This is funny for me. Thank you for brighting someone's day! : )
ReplyDeleteYeah, well, at least you did run a marathon, so some deserved recognition...how many ultrarunners haven't? :)
ReplyDeleteLaughing my butt off!
ReplyDeletehahhahah hilarious! I have had very similar conversations! People are so dumb sometimes...
ReplyDelete