Friday Tri: Matchmaking

Last night at a company picnic with my husband, I was listening to an office mate explaining what he had learned about running. He said that if you want to go faster, you have to move your legs faster. I laughed a little, but he didn't think it was that obvious. He explained that he thought (and most people think) that in order to go faster, you have to take longer strides. But in fact, that only ruins your natural rhythm for running and puts you off balance. I knew all this, but it was interesting to hear him talk about it.

A few months ago, he and about four other office mates participated in the annual suffer fest that my husband sponsors, the Salt Lake Half Marathon. He was the one I was most worried about. He was working a lot of hours and he is a bit overweight and a half marathon is not a distance to sneeze at. It's not a full marathon, true, but it's enough to hurt you. I was worried in particular that he would end up pushing himself too hard, get injured, and decide never to run again. I worry about these things! I want other people to find happiness in their workouts. I suppose I feel a bit like an exercise matchmaker. And I want the match to have its best chance.

He hadn't run more than about three or four miles together when I last heard from my husband. 13 miles is a lot more than that. So when my husband finished, I asked if he had seen this guy and how he was doing. I eventually heard that he had run the first three miles and then wisely decided to walk the rest. In fact, he ended up having to deal with a customer while he was on his race, talking on the phone he brought with him. (One reason not to bring a phone to a race.) Anyway, he survived. It was still really a stretch for his abilities, but he didn't get injured as far as I can tell and I was glad about that. I haven't asked if he wants to do it again next year and maybe get a training plan from me. I suppose sometimes you have to let matches work out in their own way.

I have another friend I've trained with off and on over the past year. My husband and kids sometimes let me write up training plans for them if they have specific goals. And of course, I chat about my love of triathlon whenever anyone gives me the least excuse. And when people tell me that they have this injury or that one, and can't run or x, I have to bite my tongue not to try to help them. If they ask, I'm very willing. But you know, sometimes people don't want you to take away their excuses.

I don't want to be pushy. I don't want to sound like an evangelist. I know there are people out there who don't want to be happier with their exercise routine or with their bodies. This boggles my mind, and maybe I don't really accept it in any deep way. But they say this and what can I do? I hate to think that I intimidate people, that they see me and think that whatever I'm doing, they could never do. Because I don't believe I'm particularly naturally talented. I have a few years of experience behind me, but nothing more than that. Oh, and I have time that I've dedicated to working out, but I think that's a personal choice and I could still train someone who has more limited time.

Matchmaking is something I like to do for readers and books, too. It's fun to listen in afterward, as I listened in to the conversation about moving your legs faster, as someone realizes something about a book that I have known for a long time. It doesn't make me feel superior, just satisfied that I found the right match. I suppose I'm a romantic. I'm sure that there is a match for exercise for everyone.