“In the battle of the sexes, woman gains her greatest victory by surrendering.” Really? ....Really? A few run-ins with the opposite sex has led to the inspiration for this post. Now don't get me wrong, this is not some 'girl power', feminist rant on how girls are better than boys, yardy yarda...No, it is my first hand observations on how a few males still view women as supposedly the weaker sex harking back to the cave where we were dragged across the floor by our hair in a fit of male domination and superiority.
I have been privy to several amusing episodes...
Scenario 1: In the Park
Picture the scene, I am approaching mile 11 of my 12 mile training run at long, slow distance pace; around 2 minutes slower than half marathon pace. I have been enjoying the scenery and the refreshing spring breeze blowing off the river. I have been pretty consistent in my pacing and am feeling comfortable albeit the legs are starting to tire. I am on the river path approaching a man out for a jog. I think nothing of it as I catch him up and begin my passing. However, I don't seem to be taking over him; I appear to have gained a running buddy as he has suddenly sped up and is running alongside me. I find this annoying and it has put me off my pace. Naturally my overly competitive nature kicks in and something approaching my 800m pace ensues. My legs despise me for this abrupt change in pace but I will be darned if I don't get past and lose this chump. Suddenly there is a bridge in sight and he strategically decides to cross this rather than race me to a finish line that does not exist... He thinks he has left the 'race' with his dignity intact but as I glance round and smirk at him grasping the edge of the bridge, we both know who really won this battle. Yes good sir, you have been 'chicked'.
Scenario 2: On the Track
My good friend Colette and I were midway through a rather tough session of 4x1200m interval reps on the track. Half way through the second we inevitably caught a guy hogging the inside lane going at a slower than leisurely jog. Those of you who train on the track understand how exasperating this can be. As usual, I made my way into the second lane and passed him. Colette, who was hot on my heels also pulled this same manouevre. As she drew level what can only be described as Usain Bolt-like speed was unleashed by the guy. He left us for dead, both of us left running in the second lane staring incredulously at each other. Was this guy for real? Needless to say, this speed did not last long and half way down the finish straight he stepped off the track, hands on knees looking at us as if to say 'ha ha chickies, victory for me'. Dude, come on, we both smirked at him as we carried on with our repetitions whilst he recovered in a heap on the side of the track.
Scenario 3: In the Pool
A very annoying scenario. every single week I can guarantee that I will have an unplanned race day swim in the pool. The most annoying being when a guy actually changed stroke to beat me. I was happily pacing up and down my local 50m pool working on my front crawl endurance. I see a guy swimming breaststroke in front so I pull out into the centre of the lane to move in front of him. However as I draw level he suddenly realises that I am of the fairer sex and abruptly changes to a rather splashy front crawl. I thought he was drowning at first then groaned inside as I realised I was being challenged. Stepping up the pace we were level up to the end of the pool. I turned and began another length, he stayed and caught his breath. Now was that really necessary??
I am fairly sure that I am neither the first nor the last to experience this kind of bravado and unwillingness to lose to a girl. I think maybe this behaviour stems from the playground in childhood and the ribbing a young boy got if 'urgh, you lost to a giiiiiirl'. All I know is that it is extremely exasperating and in this day and age an attitude such as this is pretty antiquated. Women have gained the right to vote and have equality in the workplace and society....But in the physical domain equality will never completely be reached. I have trained with tons of guys who have no problem with superior female athletes or those that give them a good run for their money....It is just a select few that appear to have a complex.
Therefore a message / plea to the select few...Please let the fair lady pass instead of attempting to bar her way, you will be sure to keep your dignity intact. She has clearly come from afar, maybe she has already ran a few miles and has now caught you up...Either way she is clearly keeping a better pace than yourself. I thank you kind sir.....no a race will not ensue as you will surely lose. Just let her breeze past with the wind in her hair, spring in her step and yourself in the clear knowledge that you are eating her dust, yes my friend, you have indeed been chicked. Have a nice day.
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