I've not been a runner for long. At a race last year, someone pulled up along side me and commented, with a wry smile, "some people run *with* their legs, but you run *on* your legs".
I mumbled a confused thankyou, but I've never understood what he meant? Was it a compliment, or was he taking the p1ss out of my running style? Words of wisdom, or pure hokum?
An explanation and/or similar experiences are welcome!
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Did you ask for his advice or did he just think he had the right to tell you ! The arrogant pratt !
I totally agree with you. There is nothing worse than this sort of put down, casual remark for discouraging anyone from their chosen activity. If the criticism isn't constructive by way of an offer of advice or encouragement, there is just no point.
Neilruns,
The upside to this is that the saddo anorak doesn't have any friends and probably has a BO problem.
He was obviously 'balking tollocks'
Steve Cram: "here comes Neilruns storming past Gabreselassie, look at the way he runs *on* his legs, what a great example that is to any youngster watching, fabulous technique, etc...."
Brendan: "...yes that's right Steve, too many people make the mistake of running *with* their legs, but running *on* them takes real talent, dedication...etc...
Hazel Irving: "...hmmm and sexy too..."
Steve: "Hazel, can you concentrate on the race please. Hazel?... sorry viewers, we seem to have lost Hazel for a moment."
Paula: "Well, Steve, I think he's ON something but definitely off his head! I just wish I had that sort of commitment."
Steve: "yeh, Paula, you always were a bit slack in the preparation department!"
Scotty's right mate, the bloke was bang out of order.
Sod him anyway. You were running, and it's none of his business how you choose to do it. If he's so pretentious that he has to use phrases that only he understands, then he's a pretty sad, selfish git anyway. What would be next? "Hmm, not quite at your lactic threshold yet, I see. Never mind, keep it up...."
Actually, isn't it fascinating watching the different running styles in races? Sometimes the most awkward biomechanically inefficient looking people are the ones that come hammering past overtaking everybody at the end. So Neilruns, every cloud has a wicking dri-fit lining doesn't it?
Next time, just smile and thank him for the compliment. If he tries to explain that it wasn't a compliment, run past him and throw two words back in your slipstream - Emil and Zatopek. Now, there was an unreproducible technique that got results.
Cheers, V-rap (whose running technique, much mocked in the school playground, was emulated to great effect by one Zola Budd several years later - and I'm not referring to the bare feet).