This was in today's "Dear Abby" column in the paper:
DEAR ABBY: I am a 55-year-old female who competes in triathlons for fun, fitness and health. I consulted my doctor because I was having foot pain. When I told him I was a runner and was preparing for a marathon race, his response was, "At your age, you could hardly call it a race."
I was shocked. I repeated the insulting comment to my husband, who has never supported me in this nor attended my races. He replied, "Well, you don't actually consider yourself an athlete, do you?"
I am so offended that I want to dismiss both my doctor and my husband. I just finished a race with 5,000 women. Every one of them was fabulous and serious, no matter how old or what they looked like. It was the spirit of the sport that mattered. At what age does one stop being an athlete? -- OLDER ATHLETE, EUGENE, ORE.
This raised some interesting questions in my mind about support, encouragement, or the lack thereof. I don't want to discuss the "athlete-yes-or-no" question. Instead, I'd like to know how people out there deal with non-supportive spouses, friends, co-workers, doctors, etc.
My own experience includes being teased by my co-workers for "getting beat by a 70-year-old woman." (This was after a big meet where they viewed my results on the Internet.) This came from men who are at least 50 pounds overweight and can barely walk from their cars to their desks.
Former Member
Nothing is more irritating that a co-worker's cell ringing.
Especially when they leave it on their desk and leave.
I always keep mine on vibrate and in my pocket. :D
Poolraat:
My eldest just got a toothbrush that plays the theme from Rocky for 2 minutes to encourage lengthy teeth brushing. That is annoying.
Nothing is more irritating that a co-worker's cell ringing.
Especially when they leave it on their desk and leave.
I always keep mine on vibrate and in my pocket. :D
uh-huuuuuuuuuuuuh
I think that toothbrush would get broken if it was in my home.
It was obviously purchased by an unsupportive spouse. What is that avatar, Poolraat? It looks like it might be crushing a toothbrush.
My coworker (and partner on my team) has an austin powers ringtone. Unfortunately, she hasn't mastered the art of putting your phone on vibrate at work, and the dam thing goes off every couple of hours.
:dedhorse:
Nothing is more irritating that a co-worker's cell ringing.
Especially when they leave it on their desk and leave.
I always keep mine on vibrate and in my pocket. :D
It's the least corporate america can do for the cause of fitness. :p
Amen! We're cutting down on health insurance costs, though I am sure my company was not excited to find 2x ~$1500 worth of broken bone claims in my name in '04 and '05.
:thhbbb:
"I can't help it baby it's my mojo. Do I make you randy Baby? Oh behave!"
:joker:
My coworker (and partner on my team) has an austin powers ringtone. Unfortunately, she hasn't mastered the art of putting your phone on vibrate at work, and the dam thing goes off every couple of hours.
:dedhorse:
If you have co workers or friends who don't think we are working hard in the pool, keep track of your yardage and quote it to them, they will be impressed by the mileage - give them something they can relate to.
Fortunately I have a very supportive family even though my husband would rather take a beating than sit at a swim meet, he has been known to accompany me. My younger daughter is my lap counter on longer swims. Also my co workers kept track of my swims at Worlds on the website.
I broke my shoulder on December 1. It wasn't a bad break and didn't require surgery. I'm sure the doctor had my date of birth in mind when he told me that I would probably be able to become completely functional - that I would be able to comb my hair with my right hand.
...
Today the therapist asked if I could comb my hair with my right hand. GRRRR! I find the low goals they set for me very discouraging.
Doctors always have to prepare you for the worst. I find it motivational: "You tell me I can't swim in a full arm cast, well I'll show YOU!" (I did). Just be prepared that your body could behave as bad as the doc thinks, but also as you are finding out, if you work hard, you will surprise both him and yourself.
Happy Rehabbing! :wave:
I broke my shoulder on December 1. It wasn't a bad break and didn't require surgery. I'm sure the doctor had my date of birth in mind when he told me that I would probably be able to become completely functional - that I would be able to comb my hair with my right hand.
It didn't register on me until I got home - what he said. I don't consider being able to comb my hair as being functional. The next time I told him that I was a swimmer, and he wasn't very encouraging.
When I started physiotherapy he said I could swim, and I do breaststroke - did a thousand yards yesterday and included a couple of laps of freestyle. The breaststroke is easy, though I still don't do a good steamline off the wall as my bad arm isn't completely straight - but it's improving every time. The freestyle was hard, but I am hopeful that it will get easier.
Today the therapist asked if I could comb my hair with my right hand. GRRRR! I find the low goals they set for me very discouraging.
