Comments on 2nd Chances: How do you explain it?

What a wonderful blog Melanie. I also face the sam...

2011-01-11T13:24:28.218-05:00

What a wonderful blog Melanie. I also face the same things as you, the incredulity, the running is bad for you/your knees/whatever. I also smile and nod when people say "wow, running IS important to you isn't it?" without trying to explain. How can you explain passion to someone who clearly doesn't understand it? A passion, be it for anything is a passion and only another person who FEELS passion can begin to comprehend the feelings we get when we complete a workout, even if we're dead tired and we sit and think out loud "why on earth am I doing this again?" LOL

You're an inspiration to us all. Thank you for entering my cyber life :)

I recall a quote earlier this year in Ultra Runnin...

2011-01-11T11:41:41.357-05:00

I recall a quote earlier this year in Ultra Running Magazine that went something like this. For those who understand, no words are needed. For those who don't, no words can explain.

Ha, those days are long gone! people expect it out...

2011-01-04T12:28:24.914-05:00

Ha, those days are long gone! people expect it out of us now. they come up to me and ask if I'm entered into a crazy event they read about.

I know the feeling and there are definitely a few ...

2011-01-02T07:11:17.741-05:00

I know the feeling and there are definitely a few people in my life who make the "addicted" and "crazy" accusations and don't bother to take the time to try to understand.

In the end, they are the ones missing out!

Keep doing this for you.

Glad to see you back on the blogging saddle. Keep...

2011-01-01T01:34:59.347-05:00

Glad to see you back on the blogging saddle. Keep it up, you are an inspiration to all of us!

I think we all have people in our lives that don&#...

2010-12-31T21:47:48.373-05:00

I think we all have people in our lives that don't get the need for challenging themselves. People think I am crazy for doing triathlons, scuba diving, still being in the reserves, etc. If it is what makes you happy and a better person then stick with. Great post.

Over time, my running friends have become my best ...

2010-12-31T00:24:40.060-05:00

Over time, my running friends have become my best friends as I've drifted away from friends I now have less in common with.

My family probably doesn't understand completely, but they don't really question it anymore. People who know my parents even ask me about my running sometimes. Clearly, my parents think it's brag-worthy to have a marathoner for a daughter. :)

The real funny thing is that I used to BE that per...

2010-12-29T19:39:12.284-05:00

The real funny thing is that I used to BE that person saying, "I'd never run Xk, I can't even run 1k" yet I just emailed a half marathon clinic coach today. Proof that people sometimes CAN change and "get it".

I don't have any friends who share - well ANY ...

2010-12-29T18:44:51.299-05:00

I don't have any friends who share - well ANY of my interests be it endurance training, weight lifting or diet. So, I don't get asked to justify it much. People tend to simply avoid the topic with me. If I'm asked why I'm going to bed early, or skipping the drinks and I say it's because I have a race the next day, the topic is usually dropped faster then it came up. But, I'm in it for me - and so I keep at it.

Even my marathon running friends dont get my Ultra...

2010-12-29T15:51:21.951-05:00

Even my marathon running friends dont get my Ultra marathoning .. LOL. Most of my non running friends dont ask me about my "crazy" running anymore.

I actually don't really have a running circle....

2010-12-29T12:10:46.606-05:00

I actually don't really have a running circle. I'm fairly new to this group and learning quite a bit on my own. I do have a special connection with my running buddy because she gets why I refuse a drink or leave early to fit an early run in the next day.

A lot of people have told me I am crazy, but I rea...

2010-12-29T11:50:44.026-05:00

A lot of people have told me I am crazy, but I really don't care what other people think. I do what makes me happy and keeps me sane. I definitely talk to my friends who aren't involved endurance sports about it, but people I am not close to I don't really give them the time of day..they can just think I'm crazy :)

Gosh I wish I could be 'addicted' to any k...

2010-12-29T11:34:25.966-05:00

Gosh I wish I could be 'addicted' to any kind of excersise right now in my life LOL. I sooo want to be. But my mind mentally is just not there - it hasn't been in a while. *sigh*
I used to be a 'workout-aholic" in my 20's ...for a looong time. So I do get it. And I remember people giving me looks or making comments when would turn down an invite to go somewhere b/c I said I HAD to go to the gym...

look who it is!!! :-) depends on whether or not i...

2010-12-29T11:15:35.488-05:00

look who it is!!! :-)

depends on whether or not i like the person. if i do, i'll try to explain or talk about my passion for it. if i don't like them, it isn't worth my breath.

yeah i can't explain it. people are usually li...

2010-12-29T07:55:13.651-05:00

yeah i can't explain it. people are usually like "why? that sounds miserable". i guess not everyone gets it (well, obviously). i've just kinda given up on trying to explain. a few people have picked up on it/started a little running/workout habit which is kind of cool.

welcome back :) hope you and t had a good christmas!

Welcome back to blogland! I just try to explain w...

2010-12-28T21:55:27.728-05:00

Welcome back to blogland! I just try to explain what I like to do and leave it at that :)

Most of my friends think I'm crazy, but they a...

2010-12-28T20:28:21.432-05:00

Most of my friends think I'm crazy, but they also think our traveling to visit brewpubs is crazy. So, in general, people just find it amusing LOL. I never bother to try to explain.

Yeah most people don't get it, I like to think...

2010-12-28T20:06:31.972-05:00

Yeah most people don't get it, I like to think I am allowed to breath the rarified air above the layer of smog...but that's just me

And yeah about this absentee blogging thing!

Yah, a mixed bag like the other comments above. S...

2010-12-28T18:17:45.270-05:00

Yah, a mixed bag like the other comments above.

Some people can't imagine that running is really good for you.

Nobody remembers marathon distance unless they're a runner or live with one ;)

When I say i want to run 8 marathons in 12 months some people stare like I'm completely bonkers.

Oh well 8)

I just smile and wave, smile and wave. You can'...

2010-12-28T17:42:47.804-05:00

I just smile and wave, smile and wave. You can't expect people who do not run to understand our "obsession". They never will UNTIL they start to run themselves.

My all time favorite question is still, "How ...

2010-12-28T17:15:38.217-05:00

My all time favorite question is still, "How far is that marathon?" Sheesh...you would think after the 2nd or 3rd time they would get it...They just don't get it.

I don't really have any friends that are endur...

2010-12-28T17:05:31.788-05:00

I don't really have any friends that are endurance athletes, so none of my friends really "get it." I've tried to explain it to them, but have really just given up. Now, if they ask me something, I'll give a very brief answer and won't elaborate unless they ask. It's just not worth it anymore for me to try and explain things to them over and over again!