Lately, I've become sensitive to the over-use of the term "marathon." Like on TV, when it's gonna be a "marathon" of a certain TV show or movie; the other day, I overheard the caption "mini-marathon" on a TV commercial (wouldn't it be more accurate to call it a half marathon; you don't hear of half marathoners talking about that "mini" marathon they have to train for!?), and I sometimes hear people casually sprinkling their language with the term: "I did a marathon of house cleaning today" or "It was a marathon of paper grading," etc.
Now, I understand why the word is getting used in a such a manner, and it's never bothered me before, but suddenly I find myself feeling rather snarky about it.
I guess I don't like the idea of the race's challenge and difficulty being diminished by belittling comparisons. Grrr.
I don't know, I'm feeling a little cranky today. Maybe it's because I'm all out of Diet Pepsi (drank my last one yesterday and have not had the opportunity to get to the store for a refuel; they do have vending machines at school, but it's only sold in 20 oz bottles there -- I can only drink it out of a can), and I guess my system is low on phosphoric acid -- this irritability is the result.
9 comments:
Maybe sniffing some microwafe popcorn would help you out. LOL
I understand what you are saying. It's "those who won't" trying to identify with the difficulty of training and dedication of those who do. But you won't be doing a marathon of running, you will be a marathoner. (Multiple time, right?)
Though I have not completed an Ironman yet, I do have a problem with calling a half Ironman an "Ironman 70.3", where the distance of a full Iron is 140.6. Kinda similar, but then again it's kinda not, since what you refer to is an attempt to extract the importance and accomplishment of a marathon to doing something menial for longer than is comfortable.
I know what you mean. More DP is in order. I refueled today as a matter of fact. Hope you make it to the store.
I also can't stand it when people (like my mom) says, how are your feet? Well not a lot better. Then why are you still running? Your surely not going to run that race, are you? GRRrrrr...
Oh, the worst is when people who know nothing about marathons say, "I did a marathon" or "My friend/sister/husband did a marathon," and you find out they mean they/their friend/relative did a 5K or 10K. They think "marathon" means race. Makes me crazy!
I describe that feeling as "grrr" -guess you are more lion than tiger.
trying to preserve the purity of the 'marathon' is a difficult endeavor.
I love it when I tell people that I did a marathon, and they ask how long was it?
Then I talk about the half marathon, and they say oh, OK - so how long is that race?
Amen!!!
Now go sub that DP for some coffee :-)
LOL. I met a rocket scientist who had a problem with people saying "It ain't rocket science!" I guess its the same idea. Unless you've been there, you really don't know what you are saying....
Now, execuse me... I have a marathon blog reading session ahead of me ;-)
You have a good reason to be snarky. Anyone who can train and run a marathon should be put in a class above the housewife who cleans from top to bottom. (Whom I also admire but in a different way.)
On the other hand I'd say you were reading too much into a word...drink your D. Pepsi.
On another matter...what is happening with Scooter and the assoc? I know you will prevail!
I agree with Marcy....add some coffee.
Who knew David was so wise "extract the importance of accomplishment". Look at all his smart talk up there. I think he just does that for your blog. For my blog he is like, "what up dog?". LOL j/k
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