My husband is one of the top local athletes in our area. He often wins his age group in local races or at least places in the top 3. He runs extremely fast, an 18 min 5K - he’s 46 by the way, and he averages about 25 mph on the bike in the HIMs’ he competes in. People will sort of ask him questions and look to him to lead group rides and such. I, on the other hand, do not win my age group…ever! Unless of course I’m the only one who shows up that day, that has happened. Or the other ladies move up to Masters (I’m in the 50 = 54 age group, not a big one). Does it bother me? Yes actually oftentimes it does. I run about a ten minute mile on long runs, he runs about a 6:30 pace. I have to remind myself that if I have a good run, I felt great, was within my personal time goals, etc,. then I need to focus on that and congratulate myself and not feel ‘stupid or slow’ because he effortlessly goes so much faster than me. It is really hard. At least there is some solace in the fact that not many women can keep up with him, none really on the bike, a few can out run him but they are all ten years younger…which sort of leads to another reason why it is hard for me.
Of course he says he doesn’t care about that, he doesn’t love me because of how I run. Obviously. Still sometimes it’s tough to hang with him and all his fast friends; I’m sorry but they might want to think they take my athletic endeavors seriously but they so do not! Okay maybe my husband does, he’s very encouraging but the rest of them look at me like “who are you”…