Seriously, What Is Wrong With People?

Apparently, others share the view that doing an Ironman is insane. I get it. I really do. Most people think running a marathon is insane, and this is tacking a good bit on to that. What I fail to understand is why said people feel compelled to make horribly inappropriate comments.

When someone asked me why I bought a bike this weekend, I told that someone about my plans to train for an Ironman. An appropriate response would be, "Hmmm, interesting," or "Wow, that's crazy," or even "What the hell are you thinking?" What I got was, "Why don't you just have kids?" I was speechless. I'm still speechless. I searched my brain for the rest of the day, and I still can't think of a response that would have been appropriate. The only thing that comes to mind involves profanity and asking in return why that person doesn't lose 100 pounds so maybe his or her back wouldn't hurt anymore.

Another someone told me I needed to get a hobby. I asked what sort of hobby they thought would be better than the three-in-one hobby I have planned. The suggestions included scrapbooking*, video games, and crocheting.

My favorite was the person who told me I had too much time on my hands. This may very well be true, but the fact of the matter is that I live in the middle of Delaware. There isn't a lot going on most of the time. The line from Wayne's World sums it up pretty well..."Hi. I'm in Delaware." It is lovely and flat, and as it turns out, one of the 10 most bike-friendly states in the country. Short of growing corn or taking up scrapbooking, I think this is a fairly good use of what free time I have.

I am picking up my new bike tomorrow! I will also be buying a nice pair of padded shorts and perhaps a slightly cushier seat...bum still sore.


*I am not anti-scrapbooking. I think other people's scrapbooks are awesome. I have neither the
fine motor skills nor the creativity nor the patience to scrapbook. I have a box, purchased for $6.99 at Target, where I keep my non-digital pictures in no particular order. The box matches my furniture and sits inconspicuously on a shelf in my living room.