Fridays are pretty good for me, I swim and run early in the day and do some gym work. However, over the last two weeks I have had to substitute PT time for gym time due to a tight IT band nagging my hip. I have successfully been receiving relief and kept up a full training schedule thanks to my PT, Heather North. Heather learned the art of physical torture under my hamstring savior Mark Plaatjes, the orginal Physical Torturer (In-Motion www.inmotionrehabilitation.com).  She picks apart my muscles with glee and then dry needles the hell out the area. The process works, but often times, it is not fun. I await the moment all the needles are removed, the e-stim and heat are applied, and I collapse for a 20 minute nap. Today as she was using the little dry needles, it felt like she was using a jack hammer.

During the process, Heather repeatedly stated, “You are doing great!” and it reminds of people that pass on “Good job!”. I know people mean well, but frankly sometimes it feels insincere and inappropriate. Most times people say “you look great”  and it really translates to “You look like hell, way to make it this far without dying.” A couple weeks ago someone in my lane, swimming much better than I, and with a lot less effort looked over after the set and stated “Good job!”  She had been at the wall for an eternity, possibly enjoying midday tea between sets. I arrived at the wall out of breathe, but still making the interval.  I knew that these words of encouragement had good intentions, but really I knew that I look like crap and it was a miracle I had survived the previous set.  Today while writhing and cursing on the torture table, Heather gave those weak words of encouragement, “You are doing great!”.  Frankly, I did not feel like I was doing great, and it would have been more appropriate to state, “You will live through this, barely!”, or “Lucky for you, I can’t quite pull the muscle through the skin”. With regards to the swim remarks, I wish my lane buddy had really stated what was on her mind, “Wow, you made it!”.

My other annoyance is when I am out running on the same trail as someone else, who looks like hell, tells me “Good job!”. I know I look good and there is no need for a “good job” because I am going to make it. Please, buddy, save your breathe, so you can complete your run.  I would prefer a simple “hello!”, “what’s up!”, or even easier, a hand wave. I am a pretty friendly guy who likes to wave while cycling or give a friendly remark while passing on the run trails.  I do not pass on weak words of encouragement. Honesty would be the best policy, but likely not as nice, so let’s just use “howdy” or “what’s up?” Back in VA Beach at Final Kick, it was “Rock On” and that was a mix of encouraging yourself and the people you were passing, but without the “you’re gonna make it” sound of “good job.”

I know this diatribe might garner me one less shout at my next race and likely too many “good job”s from my peers, but I decided to air my grievance concerning this bit of dishonesty amongst those who workout and those who are weakly encouraging.  Thanks for reading, “you did great!”

later,

billy