For the last two evenings the same guy has got on the treadmill next to me at the gym. He’s a pretty athletic looking guy, and is probably about 15 – 20 years younger than me and at least a foot taller. My fast speed (right now) is 3.5, his slow speed is 4.something.
Now realistically I know that I’m not in the same shape as this guy. But when he’s right there next to me running, I want to be able to do the same thing. I want to be able to push myself to keep up with him. To compete.
It isn’t just him. I do this with pretty much anyone that gets next to me. I have this urge to compete with the people around me. I know it isn’t rational or smart, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to be as good or better than the people around me.
I think I may need some of those blinders like they put on horses so that I can’t see what is going on around me. Do they make those for people?
Or maybe this is just one more thing I’ll have to figure out how to let go of?
Don’t forget to visit SITS today for the letting go event. You can share your posts on Twitter with the #SITSLettingGo hashtag.
{ 16 comments }
I do that, too. I feel like I should be moving at the speed of traffic. I would give myself a heart attack rather than think about what is my speed. Metaphorically speaking. I am not yet free enough to exercise just because it is the healthy thing to do.
If I do SITS Letting Go…do I have to do a sign? May not matter. May call the world in on my head if I do.
Yeah, you gotta let go of that feeling. Of course, I say that and I like to do that with cars. I want to go as fast as the fastest car on the road at that time. But it doesn't work because I drive an explorer. So not only am I NOT keeping up, I'm also drinking a lot of expensive gas in the process.
I'm the same way. In fact, I just really can't go slow and pace myself, which is why I suck at running. Going slow seems so pointless (I do everything fast), so then I totally burn out.
LOL! Yes….you need blinders. I actually think it's good that you want to compete with them.
I go one step further…I pear in very nosey fashion at their settings to make sure i am at least as fast or faster!
This is why we love each other!
Oh yes, I definitely do this- either on the treadmill or in a class. SIGH.
I do that as well. Working on letting go of it, but not doing so great
Ok, I don't see this as all bad…it's inspirations, goals, and pushing yourself…not necessarily competing…put a happy silver lining spin to it…be inspired by his fitness, set your goal for each time you work out, push yourself a litte more each time…or each week whatever… I saw a saying that hit me today… "What you want, wants you too" GET IT GIRL.
Yeah that is a hard one – when I used to go to the Y in the early mornings it was actually much older men who were running faster than me – how is that for an ego boost.
On a side note does this mean that you are starting to make awkward gym acquaintances. You know the ones where you kind of nod and smile at each other and pretend you are not all red faced and short of breath, but you really hope that you never see these people out of the gym because then it would be waaaaayyy awkward! Not that I know about anything like this.
Competition is good; it's healthy. I think we all naturally compare ourselves to others. At least you turn this into positive energy and push yourself harder. "They" are only making us stronger. We just have to remember that when we are finished looking out, that we take another look in and realize how awesome WE are!
Yep, figure out how to let go but keep that competitive spirit. One day it really won't matter. Promise.
This is the metaphor for everything in my life.
I compare myself to everyone. My kids, my car, my house, my hair, my weight, my blog, my EVERYTHING. Not that I need to be more or better, but I just can't stop the comparison monster.
When I run on the tredmill I try to keep up with the people around me. Sometimes I even feel awesome when someone is running at a lower speed! Its the need for competition I think!
That's funny… blinders for people. I think those would come in handy for a lot of people, especially my aunt, who's a shop-a-holic! We've actually joked with her about wearing them before.
And I say, hey, it doesn't matter what the guy next to you is doing, all that matters is that you're out there, doing something wonderful for yourself. Great job!
Hmmm. I do this too and never looked at it like a problem. I use the other people as motivation to kick my butt into gear. Though I'm fiercely competitive, so I'm not the best judge on these kinds of things. I compete with people while driving on the highway, while walking downtown to and from the train and I'm sure there's other instances where I'm trying to one-up my fellow man (or woman.) OK so writing this makes me realize that I probably have a problem, well yet again you give me good stuff to think about!
Like others have said I think this could be a good thing. You shouldn't injure yourself or anything, but use that desire to keep up to push yourself within your capabilities. And good job on continuing to go to the gym!
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