Comments on: Rigorous Content

By: betsypatrick

betsypatrick — Mon, 20 Dec 2004 17:23:42 +0000

after reading your explanations, i realize that your comment was not directed at those whom i intended to defend. i apologize for my own harsh judgement, and i understand your position. my reaction was based on a misunderstanding and a sincere desire to promote compassion for a group of people who struggle with exercise addiction and disordered eating. i do apologize for not being more cautious and i hope that my words were not hurtful.

By: joan

joan — Sun, 19 Dec 2004 17:28:26 +0000

Hello Betsy,
Yes, of course I remember you. In fact, I just raced you in a half-marathon two weeks ago. I thought I should explain my position regarding “one-dimensional fitness freaks.” I was speaking about MOTHERS when I “judged harshly,” as you put it … not about single people who choose to pursue their running with single-minded passion. I do believe that when you make a decision to bring a human being into the world you must sacrifice some of your own personal time and energy to raise that child properly. I have observed over my years as a mother who runs (versus a runner who is a mother) that moms who are self-obsessed with their fitness goals tend to neglect their responsibilities to OTHER. Its one thing to be selfish when its just YOU … its antoher story entirely to be selfish when you have a child. I think you personalized my point of view and were way off base. When you have children of your own, you may understand where I’m coming from. In the meantime, you may want to try to be a little compassionate to us mothers … struggling for not just our own happiness, but for our children’s as well.

By: betsypatrick

betsypatrick — Sat, 18 Dec 2004 23:17:46 +0000

hi joan…do you remember me from unc? it’s great that you have this inspiration thing. i wanted to comment on one of your past posts about the women who have the fortune of balance in their lives-families, time to train, friends, good jobs, etc. versus the “one-dimensional fitness freaks who ignore the IMPORTANT things in life in order to be thinner or faster.” you judge harshly the women who struggle to find happiness and just haven’t quite figured out the right mix. when you come across someone who seems to be too ‘fill-in-the-blank’ for you to imagine them to ever be happy, maybe you should just try to have some compassion. or maybe even try to be a friend (who knows? you may be the one to help them make a first step toward balance).