Great question, which I asked myself as I was reading. I guess first off, as a guy I suspect I’m much less likely to have strangers presume to comment on my physique or give me advice about. Sad that folks still feel like that’s okay today, though I suppose in your story it may be partly generational. I have had plenty of folks who don’t run tell me how bad it is for me. I used to overwhelm them with data. Now I just shrug and note I’ve run 25-60 miles a week for a few decades now and I’m feeling pretty limber at almost 54, so I’ll see where it goes.
That’s a great approach—to speak from personal experience. Especially if you have enough of it under your belt, it does seem to carry more weight with some folks than any study or other data you could show them. Or perhaps it’s just more difficult for them to argue with a living, breathing example than abstract numbers?
Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment!
Congratulations on having the "patience, mindfulness, empathy, confidence" to engage in this conversation (I'm afraid I usually take the other path and disengage in these situations). I haven't thought of these qualities as running products in this context before, but clearly they are.
Yes, my usual response is also to get away and try to forget about it. And I admit, as proud, bordering on smug, as I am about the outcome of this little experiment, I have no desire to try to repeat it.
People announcing misinformed views to me with impenetrable certainty is my kryptonite, you stayed far calmer and more articulate than I would have done. Nice article, thank you!
The man’s demeanor and otherworldly manners facilitated my (relative) calmness. If he were one of those know-it-all bros I sometimes have the misfortune to meet, I would’ve straight-up barked at him. 😄 Thank you for reading!
A well told tale! Could see it all as it un folded.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it! ☺️ Also, I’m curious, what would you have done, and/or have you had something similar happen?
Great question, which I asked myself as I was reading. I guess first off, as a guy I suspect I’m much less likely to have strangers presume to comment on my physique or give me advice about. Sad that folks still feel like that’s okay today, though I suppose in your story it may be partly generational. I have had plenty of folks who don’t run tell me how bad it is for me. I used to overwhelm them with data. Now I just shrug and note I’ve run 25-60 miles a week for a few decades now and I’m feeling pretty limber at almost 54, so I’ll see where it goes.
That’s a great approach—to speak from personal experience. Especially if you have enough of it under your belt, it does seem to carry more weight with some folks than any study or other data you could show them. Or perhaps it’s just more difficult for them to argue with a living, breathing example than abstract numbers?
Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comment!
Congratulations on having the "patience, mindfulness, empathy, confidence" to engage in this conversation (I'm afraid I usually take the other path and disengage in these situations). I haven't thought of these qualities as running products in this context before, but clearly they are.
Yes, my usual response is also to get away and try to forget about it. And I admit, as proud, bordering on smug, as I am about the outcome of this little experiment, I have no desire to try to repeat it.
Thank you for reading!
People announcing misinformed views to me with impenetrable certainty is my kryptonite, you stayed far calmer and more articulate than I would have done. Nice article, thank you!
The man’s demeanor and otherworldly manners facilitated my (relative) calmness. If he were one of those know-it-all bros I sometimes have the misfortune to meet, I would’ve straight-up barked at him. 😄 Thank you for reading!