May I vent here.......

[lizdotcom99]

After reading all of the marathoning threads and working on training, I decided to take a look at a local running store. A couple of weeks ago I went and got new shoes and a pair of good socks....but I am thinking I need more socks...so I better go and buy some. May as well check out hte local running store.

So off I go. I park a million miles away from the store as it is my rest day and I really just feel like I NEED to do something. I walk into the store with a big smile on my face...I feel good about me and today!

So I start to walk back by the shoes and the store owner says, "You do know this is a store that specializes in running shoes right?" "Um, yeah, that is why I am here...to look at shoes and socks" "um, I don't think you understand, we sell running shoes" Um, yes, I do understand and am actually training for a 1/2 marathon" He glares at me and his face says you have no business running hte half marathon....but I WILL sell you some nice shoes. I proceed to tell him that I did buy some very nice shoes a couple of weeks ago and I was really just looking. Well, he wants to know exactly what I bought and where I bought them from. I tell him. He proceeds to tell my that the store I bought them from was really overpriced and it costs a lot to park there....and there selection of shoes was poor. I of course tell the "nice" man, actually parking is free, they seem to be priced about the same and they actually have a larger selection of shoes. So on to the next conversation with mr. jerk.....so what training guide are you following....as if I weren't following a training guide.......I tell him I really like John Bingham. He right off the bat tells me that John Bingham is a sloe poke.....(and if you have read any of his books, you will see that Mr. Bingham says this about himself) and he can finish a marathon in a little over 2 hours. I look at the guy and told him, I really prefer the Bingham meathod, cause I am not real fast either......most likely not going to be........and I really want to do this for personal reasons........he rolls his eyes. Then he gets in my face about nutrition and how I am going to kill myself by trying to do teh 1/2 marathon and being lo carb. At this point, I can't take it anymore. I can't believe I have stayed in the store this long, I look at the guy and tell him I have heard enough and leave. The guy is a jerk and made me feel awful. Then to boot, they did not have the socks they adevertisied having on their web site.

Maybe I am in the "sensative" time of the month for me....but I really can't believe that guy. I know it is hard to believe that a 259 pound person could even think about training for a half marathon...but I am doing it....and liking it!! I am gonna show that jerk oneof these days....when I get my medal for the John Bingham half, I am gonna just have to pay the creep a visit to show my medal, my self and and to let him know there are far better places to get my running stuff from...they actually get you excited about running.... even if they are 3 times as far to get there!!! So I have to say if you are ever in Valparaiso and need running stuff.....don't go to the running store there....the guy is a REAL jerk!!!

[crzy4pooh]

Liz - I am soooooo sorry you had to deal with that! Don't let him discourage you - just use it as more motivation! Keep imagining the day you will walk into the store with that medal on! Woo-hoo!!!! :cool1: BTW, I PM-ed you about the core stuff. I don't know if I did it right, so let me know if you didn't get it.

Cheer up - you know you are doing something great for you, and you can achieve anything your heart desires! :flower:

Big hugs!!! :grouphug:

[karebear1]

Too bad that had to happen..... but I really like you attitude! FYI- you and I are anout the same weight, and I just did the half at WDW. You can do it- and don't let anyone tell you otherwise Girlie! You just keep your head in the right place and you can do ANYTHING! And please- write a letter to him and the manager explaining your experience and how it would do his business a world of good if they would treat all people with respect. Good luck with your training!

[Cherylbug]

Hey Liz.

Just wanted to give you a :grouphug: and to tell you don't let this guys get to you. Some people only feel better themselves by putting other people down. We all know you can do it! I agree w/ crzy4pooh just use it as more motivation. I would like to see his face when you walk into his store w/ your medal. That will be the best "IN YOUR FACE!" Good luck with your exercising and training. We all have faith in you. :flower1:

[Susan--Ontario]

Liz,

tell him to pound salt and that if he doesn't leave you alone all your "larger" WISH friends are gonna head out on a road trip and pay him a visit.

Then we could see the look on his face when 50 or so WISH Walkers head into his store, take up the space and don't buy a single, blessed thing!!!

We don't like it when people pick on our friends. pirate:

[lizdotcom99]

Thanks gals...I needed that!!!! Ireallly appreciate everybody's support!! I too KNOW I can do this!!

Susan, splendid idea!!! And the jerk didn't have your power gel either.....but if he did...I would have had to buy it elsewhere!!!!! Not gonna give that creep a penny of my money!!

I am gonna have to go in there with my skinny self and my meadal....wearing some very new and expensive shoes that I will treat myself to after completing my first 1/2 marathon, for training for the Disney 1/2 marathon. We will see how he feels then.......ah, much better!! Thanks all!! You gals are awesome and just what the doctor ordered.

I do have to say some good did come of this....I was so ticked when I got home...I am a TOTAL stress eater...and yes, this to me was STRESS....so I grabbed a diet soda and a handful of olives, and a a devield egg.......no candy bar or carbs.....just stuff that was good for me. (OK the diet soda isn't, but I have drank just about all of my water)...and my deal to myself is...1 water for every soda....I think I am up to 6 waters....1 soda!!!

Thanks again!! I don't know where I would be without you guys!!!
:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[TigerBear]

Can I SCREAM with you? :mad: He is obviously a horrible, horrible man. I just can't wait until you prove him wrong. :cool1:

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: Go Liz! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

:flower:

[MelanieC]

Hold your head high Liz, that guy was a major jerk. You are doing a fantastic job, so keep up the good work and dont' let loosers like him get to you!

[keenercam]

What a jerk!

You ignore that mean ignorant man, Liz! You are so on track and committed that you are inspring the rest of us. I am so glad you didn't give him one red cent! Reminds me of that scene in "Pretty Woman" -- "You work on commission, right? Big mistake, big, BIG mistake!"

You go, girl!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That guy is a jerk

But truthfully--it is tough to train endurance and do low carb--once you are on your training schedule, you should consider switching for smart carb. EVERY coach I encountered told me this....of course this guy was such a jerk--he's what you would call an elitist and until he showed me actual racing results--I wouldn't believe his 2 hour little over nonsense for finishing a marathon--the weenie wouldn't be working in a running store if that were the case. MORON!!!

I'd document--and let his manager know :) I mean--do we really think with that attitude he'll be there in a year ;)

[chimera]

Doesn't matter what time of the month it is...the guy's a moron. :sad2:

Just remember Liz...you can lose weight AND compete in a half marathon...he'll always be a jerk!

[Tiger Lily 03]

:hug: Liz, I am sorry that you had to endure this. Let it make you stronger. I am glad you came here to vent. That business certainly will not succeed with someone as snobbish as that. I am glad that it was not your first visit to a store such as that. There are better stores out there and I am glad you found one of those first. I must say too that I like the John Bingham method. It does work as long as you keep pushing yourself at it you will make that time. Just don't over train.
You can do this. Keep on keepin' on.

[zagafi]

OMG, what an ****! Yep, I'm casting another vote for strutting in there medal proudly hanging around your neck and offering him your smaller butt to bite!

[littlegreydonkey]

we have many quaint olde english words that I could use to describe mr sportsshoe, but I'd get kicked off the forum so I'll just growl inwardly at him.

And while I agree with Lisa that smart carbs are better than very low carb, you can do a half marathon when doing lo (ish)-carb - I know *** I ran three in six months. The only carbs I was eating were vegetables at lunch and dinner, fruit and porridge in the morning and the ones in my pm protein bar.

[mykel mouse]

As someone who enjoys working towards an athletic goal as much as you seem to I wish you never came across this gentleman. He as taken away some of your reasons for working out. I always like to think that I am doing this for myself. People noticing is just a byproduct. I guess what I am saying is stick to your original reasons and as they say in the lion king leave the past in the past.

[lizdotcom99]

Well, Mr. Butthead has just convinced me to get my medal and go back in there and tell him he where he can stick his "customer service". Thanks so much for all your encouragement and kind words. I feel so much better now...just think I needed to get it off my chest and move on. SO here is to moving on...onward and downward!!

Lisa, about my lo carb...I am more SBD than Atkins and am to the point where I can slowly add some carbs. I do try to eat the good carbs and so far I seem to be OK with what I am doing. Once I get farther along in my training, I am definately going to be adding more good carbs...like whole grains and such. At 2 miles a day and 10 miles for the week, I think I am fine where I am at with carbs. And I am actually looking into switching over to WW core, we will see how this all works out!!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent......tomorrow is another day...and another day closer to my goal!! Whoo hoo!! I :love: you guys!! You all are awesome!!

Liz

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[KimRaye]

Maybe I am in the "sensative" time of the month for me....but I really can't believe that guy.I think HE is in HIS sensitive time of the month!!! WHAT NERVE!!! That guy lost about upteem sales with everything he said WRONG!!!! WHAT a Horse's you know what!!!! You persevered much longer than I would've, and you were pleasant! He didn't deserve your company, let alone your time and money.

:grouphug:

You GO!!! :cheer2:

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well, Mr. Butthead has just convinced me to get my medal and go back in there and tell him he where he can stick his "customer service". Thanks so much for all your encouragement and kind words. I feel so much better now...just think I needed to get it off my chest and move on. SO here is to moving on...onward and downward!!

Lisa, about my lo carb...I am more SBD than Atkins and am to the point where I can slowly add some carbs. I do try to eat the good carbs and so far I seem to be OK with what I am doing. Once I get farther along in my training, I am definately going to be adding more good carbs...like whole grains and such. At 2 miles a day and 10 miles for the week, I think I am fine where I am at with carbs. And I am actually looking into switching over to WW core, we will see how this all works out!!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent......tomorrow is another day...and another day closer to my goal!! Whoo hoo!! I :love: you guys!! You all are awesome!!

Liz

:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

Cool--even some Olympic teams did Atkins--but it was a modified Atkins...walking running or whatever--it isn't the distance...it is the amount of time your body is active.

I did SBD for several weeks into training--but did get to a point where I had to "stop"....but due to the amount of activity--I didn't gain an ounce no matter how liberal I got. Now I am back to no refined sugars--so hard :(

The guy was a butt.

[maryliz]

Liz, I am soooo proud of you! For having the courage to sign up for these races, and especially for handling yourself with dignity in the face of that absolute MORON!

But you ladies are all too nice ... it wouldn't be enough for me to have the medal hanging around my neck ... I'd need to clock him with it! And for those that haven't done Disney yet, the medals are nice and HEAVY ! He'll have the Donald Duck impression on his head for at least a week :rotfl:

I think you should get the store managers e-mail address, PM it to all of us, and we'll all send him a note about how this moron has cost him a ton of business. LOL - he doesn't need to know that I'm from Ontario ! And believe me, that jerk costs the store business every time he has a shift there.

Use this like you would picture someones face on a baseball just before you clobber it for a homerun! I'm up for a road trip if you need us! :teeth:

Mary-Liz

[lizdotcom99]

I think you should get the store managers e-mail address, PM it to all of us, and we'll all send him a note about how this moron has cost him a ton of business. LOL - he doesn't need to know that I'm from Ontario ! And believe me, that jerk costs the store business every time he has a shift there.
Mary-Liz

Well, since you asked.....

The Human Race Sports
www.humanracesports.com
58 W. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46383
219-465-5335
Email: humanracesports@ameritech.net


Thanks again for your support!! It is MUCH appreciated!!!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sent my e-mail. Just sharing it--don't copy it though...gotta make it look like en masse--a bunch of us able-bodied intelligient (sp?--how ironic!) women are boycotting their store.

Hello,

I just heard from a friend of mine of how she was horribly mistreated at your store in Valparaiso a couple of weeks ago. The actions of the employee towards my friend were appalling. To make statements such as "You do know this is a store that specializes in running shoes right?", calling John Bingham a “slow poke”, and to make glaring looks while trying to sell shoes is inappropriate. Many people of all sizes have completed half and full marathons and it is not up to the employees to make such hateful judgements of their customers. It is fine if you wish to offer your expertise—but it can be done in a much less elitist fashion.

The best advertising is by word of mouth—and my friend has shared her story with many and we will all be avoiding your store for its poor treatment of customers. We come in all different shapes and sizes and finish times with money to spend. It is unfortunate for you that we will be spending it elsewhere and encouraging our friends to do the same.

:teeth:

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is how ludicrous this guy is--I found some pics on their web-site and I just don't get his reasoning and need to have an elitist attitude.


Not good with my weight guesstimations--these are the pics I found on-line on their web-site. Nice hypocritical sales system they got going. So how did these people start out and prove their athleticism.

On the street, This woman would NOT look like an athlete--yet her pic is posted on their web-site b/c of course she is one..

http://www.humanracesports.com/04_indianapolismini.shtml

another one
http://www.humanracesports.com/images/av14.jpg

hmmm...some more non-stick figures
http://www.humanracesports.com/images/laketahoe1.jpg

some more
http://www.humanracesports.com/shamrock.shtml


Hmmm...methinks employee is an IDIOT!!

LIZ--you just show 'em...heck, show up to a few of their weekly scheduled training runs--like maybe once a month or so.....then disappear and come back :) You can have lots of fun..heck maybe even make friends--and then still REFUSE to spend money in their "we care for mankind" shoe-land!

[lizdotcom99]

Lisa,

Have I told you how much I :love: you? Thanks for all your support!! I think that first picture is a picture of the **** and his wife.....I could be wrong. I tried not to look at the guy. Hard to believe he would be married to someone that weighs more than he does. (Not my thinking that it is wrong to do that mind you...he just gave me that impression)

I am so glad my SO loves me for who I am....big or thin.......it is SOOOOOOOOO what is on the inside.

Thanks again!! How is the back feeling these days? Hope you get that resovled quickly. You must be going stir crazy!!!

:wave: