"that guy"

[Solon]

Are any of you bugged by "that guy?" [I know Colin Cowherd does a thing on "that guy" on his radio station - and I'm not ripping him off. I just don't know what else to call these losers at the YMCA.] You know, Mr. "it's a competition even though you don't know it" guy?

I go to the YMCA three times a week and run 10 miles on the treadmill. I'm not fast. I have no intention of working on my speed. I run 9.5 minute miles. My #1 goal is to run the last mile at exactly the same speed as the first mile. This teaches me to hold back at first, and to push myself at the end.

On Saturday, two different guys in succession got onto the treadmill next to me, looked over at my speed (6.3 mph), and promptly set their treadmill to 6.4 mph. After a couple of minutes at this slow pace, the guy decides he's a better athlete than that and bumps it up to 7 or so. After 10 to 15 minutes, the guy's tired and gets off the treadmill, seemingly satisfied at his great wheels. Meanwhile, I'm just cruising along, burning 120 calories a mile.

This happened twice. The guy sets his speed at .1 mph faster than mine, as if this were some kind of race, and then lets his ego kick his ass as he lasts only 15 minutes. Hey tough-guy, do 6.4 for ten miles, then I'll think you're a bad-ass.

I hate "that guy."

[il Padrino Ute]

Are any of you bugged by "that guy?" [I know Colin Cowherd does a thing on "that guy" on his radio station - and I'm not ripping him off. I just don't know what else to call these losers at the YMCA.] You know, Mr. "it's a competition even though you don't know it" guy?

I go to the YMCA three times a week and run 10 miles on the treadmill. I'm not fast. I have no intention of working on my speed. I run 9.5 minute miles. My #1 goal is to run the last mile at exactly the same speed as the first mile. This teaches me to hold back at first, and to push myself at the end.

On Saturday, two different guys in succession got onto the treadmill next to me, looked over at my speed (6.3 mph), and promptly set their treadmill to 6.4 mph. After a couple of minutes at this slow pace, the guy decides he's a better athlete than that and bumps it up to 7 or so. After 10 to 15 minutes, the guy's tired and gets off the treadmill, seemingly satisfied at his great wheels. Meanwhile, I'm just cruising along, burning 120 calories a mile.

This happened twice. The guy sets his speed at .1 mph faster than mine, as if this were some kind of race, and then lets his ego kick his ass as he lasts only 15 minutes. Hey tough-guy, do 6.4 for ten miles, then I'll think you're a bad-ass.

I hate "that guy."

If you want to get even with him, follow him into the lockerroom, grab him after he opens the locker, shove his head into the locker and slam the door on him until he is unconscious.

[pelagius]

Finally, a gym pet peeve thread ... next thing you know someone will complain about people doing curls in the squat rack.

[BigPiney]

Are any of you bugged by "that guy?" [I know Colin Cowherd does a thing on "that guy" on his radio station - and I'm not ripping him off. I just don't know what else to call these losers at the YMCA.] You know, Mr. "it's a competition even though you don't know it" guy?

I go to the YMCA three times a week and run 10 miles on the treadmill. I'm not fast. I have no intention of working on my speed. I run 9.5 minute miles. My #1 goal is to run the last mile at exactly the same speed as the first mile. This teaches me to hold back at first, and to push myself at the end.

On Saturday, two different guys in succession got onto the treadmill next to me, looked over at my speed (6.3 mph), and promptly set their treadmill to 6.4 mph. After a couple of minutes at this slow pace, the guy decides he's a better athlete than that and bumps it up to 7 or so. After 10 to 15 minutes, the guy's tired and gets off the treadmill, seemingly satisfied at his great wheels. Meanwhile, I'm just cruising along, burning 120 calories a mile.

This happened twice. The guy sets his speed at .1 mph faster than mine, as if this were some kind of race, and then lets his ego kick his ass as he lasts only 15 minutes. Hey tough-guy, do 6.4 for ten miles, then I'll think you're a bad-ass.

I hate "that guy."

I am still trying to figure out how you can run for an hour and a half on a treadmill and not commit suicide.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am still trying to figure out how you can run for an hour and a half on a treadmill and not commit suicide.

42 in plasma TV.

[creekster]

SOlon, I really like you. I have enjoyed your contributions as much as any, except perhaps those of Pelagius in his bulking phase, but I have to say that if it ticks you off that a guy goes faster than you and you know he's a loser becasue while you don't go as fast you go longer (and stop me if your wife has heard that before) then in a way you are that guy, too.

[YOhio]

SOlon, I really like you. I have enjoyed your contributions as much as any, except perhaps those of Pelagius in his bulking phase, but I have to say that if it ticks you off that a guy goes faster than you and you know he's a loser becasue while you don't go as fast you go longer (and stop me if your wife has heard that before) then in a way you are that guy, too.

You're that guy who has to be a turkey to that guy who is just venting a little. Yeah, I said it. You're that guy.

[creekster]

You're that guy who has to be a turkey to that guy who is just venting a little. Yeah, I said it. You're that guy.

Yes. Yes I am.

I am that guy, except with typos.

[Teenage Dirtbag]

10 miles three times a week on a treadmill?

If that were my only option, I'd choose obesity and an early death.

[Solon]

SOlon, I really like you. I have enjoyed your contributions as much as any, except perhaps those of Pelagius in his bulking phase, but I have to say that if it ticks you off that a guy goes faster than you and you know he's a loser becasue while you don't go as fast you go longer (and stop me if your wife has heard that before) then in a way you are that guy, too.

That's cleverly put, creekster.

You're right. I shouldn't let it get to me.

He's not a loser, though. There are no winners or losers. It's not a race, although the guy seems to think it is.

It doesn't bother me in the "keeps me up at night fuming way" but somehow I think it's lame. I'm not angry, just perplexed.

And, it's not hard to run on a treadmill for a long time if you just zone out and let your mind turn off. I listen to podcasts, watch whatever soap opera is on the Y's TV and whoever's on the weight machine in front of me, and just turn the brain off. Don't get me wrong - I'd much rather run outside - but the city doesn't plow the bike trails and I don't dare run in the street (too many drunken college kids driving around - seriously). So I'm stuck indoors until we get a little thaw.

[Tim]

10 miles three times a week on a treadmill?

If that were my only option, I'd choose obesity and an early death.

CAN I GET A WITNESS?!

[Jeff Lebowski]

CAN I GET A WITNESS?!

Don't listen to them Solon. That's impressive.

I do five miles at a time but I go a little slower. I also mix it up and use the incline. But I burn about 850 calories per hour.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

I can use a treadmill, I am not sure about for 10 miles but I am a fat ass anyway. Much better than running in the rain.