Creative Conditioning

Chicked (verb): When a man is outperformed, and therefore passed, by a woman during a physical activity, such as running, biking, or swimming. (I.e. “Dude, you got chicked!”)

It’s a common term that most men hate. But what is it with guys who don’t like to be passed by women? Are they insecure? Do they have some sort of complex or a testosterone imbalance? Or is it pure idiocy, perhaps?

But as the years go by, and the more miles I have under my belt, I’m passing more and more men. And so are my female friends. Let’s face it: Women are just getting faster. And the boys who can’t deal with it, those Guys who don’t like to get “chicked,” are just going to have to suck it up!

Imagine this scene: Subject F (chic), Subject M (dude)

F is on a leisurely run in Central Park, enjoying her peaceful mind state. She doesn’t have a care in the world as she trots past others, waving, smiling, and is in turn passed herself. But as she proceeds to run by M (a quick, easy and obvious pass), M speeds up. F increases her speed a bit too. M pants, over-strides, hits his VO2-max, but just does not give in because he…he…he does not, want, to, get…“CHICKED!” She laughs, eventually burns him out, and continues on her way.

This scenario is becoming all too common in endurance communities throughout the world, but it’s especially rampant in Type-A, NYC!

Why? Doesn’t M realize how stupid he looks? Or how much harder it makes F work to seem nonchalant about the whole thing?

After much consideration, I finally said something to an M on Sunday, hence my post today.

I was doing an off-the-bike run (a triathlon training workout in which you do a run immediately after riding your bike) around the lower loop of Central Park. I was focused on my own workout when a Subject M appeared and a scenario similar to the one described above ensued. He had been panting next to me for about 30 seconds when I turned to look at his sweaty, red little face and said: “You just can’t bear to be chicked, huh?”

Then, I gave him a thumbs-up and jacked the pace to a sub 5:30-mile. The guy wasn’t going to give in right away, so I played a mental game with him for about a mile getting progressively faster until he finally just dropped off. 

I didn’t need to turn an easy run into a harder workout, but the fact that I sped up for this idiot just made me realize how stupid men can be. And how competitive I can get. (Was I being stupid, too? Am I too competitive with the boys? Maybe this is why I’m single…) Still, it felt pretty darn good to play with that guy and pass him like a girl!  

The motto of my story…and lesson learned from my circumstances:  Train, race and live in the sport of triathlon at your own pace.  Stay away from scenarios that might get you caught up in ego matches like the one in this case.  Sunday was the first time I ever said something to someone because I had enough of the competition – a build up of several years.  But if you see a situation coming like I did, avoid it by letting the guy go!  Trust me he will stall sooner or later – then laugh it off in your head when you do pass him – because you will be flying right by him. 

Remember this is an individual sport, but sometimes the invitation of healthy competition is a good thing.  That’s why some like to join triathlon clubs, masters swim teams or other training groups.  Those athletes like to be pushed.