Oh! So people were happy for AJ Acosta substitute teaching while training to make his life (and that of the kids better)....oh wait..
People were happy that Mary Cain decided to turn pro and appreciated everything about her. Oh shoot...
People were happy that Katelyn Tuohy developed an even better kick. Or...hmmm..
People were happy that Lori "Lolo" Jones stayed true to her faith. Darn it...nope as well.
Nick Symmonds and his engaging YouTube contests?
I'm not clear of your point.
My point is that if your initial reaction to this story is to be negative like you are, there's either something wrong with you or you've gotten burned in the past. Just my opinion - maybe a lot of other people feel the same way and it's more common to pizz on a recovering addict who turned their life around than I thought.
So should we then be holding Dustin Johnson and Mike Lindell as heroes too?
Do we like successful former addicts more than the people who never got hooked?
Why would I care if he smoked weed? Are you implying that it is some sort of moral failing that we should care about?
Then why is the addict heroic? Apples to apples, drugs to drugs.
Had both qualified in their respective years, they were fast enough to qualify.
And drug users.
I'm not seeing the point.
Lots of vitriol in this thread. Most coming from our resident unhinged anti-social dimwit Mike Smith.
One of the greatest ironies of life is that people who publicly demean mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment are often the very first people to discretely seek out these resources for themselves or their loved ones when it's necessary. Because they and their loved ones are special, of course.
Then why is the addict heroic? Apples to apples, drugs to drugs.
Had both qualified in their respective years, they were fast enough to qualify.
And drug users.
I'm not seeing the point.
Lots of vitriol in this thread. Most coming from our resident unhinged anti-social dimwit Mike Smith.
One of the greatest ironies of life is that people who publicly demean mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment are often the very first people to discretely seek out these resources for themselves or their loved ones when it's necessary. Because they and their loved ones are special, of course.
Rouse.
Not Smith. Don't confused screen name with name.
Drug addicts don't deserve vitriol?
We should love drug addicts?
So on Beyond scared straight, why do the inmates scream at the kids to get off of the drugs?
Oh! So people were happy for AJ Acosta substitute teaching while training to make his life (and that of the kids better)....oh wait..
People were happy that Mary Cain decided to turn pro and appreciated everything about her. Oh shoot...
People were happy that Katelyn Tuohy developed an even better kick. Or...hmmm..
People were happy that Lori "Lolo" Jones stayed true to her faith. Darn it...nope as well.
Nick Symmonds and his engaging YouTube contests?
I'm not clear of your point.
My point is that if your initial reaction to this story is to be negative like you are, there's either something wrong with you or you've gotten burned in the past. Just my opinion - maybe a lot of other people feel the same way and it's more common to pizz on a recovering addict who turned their life around than I thought.
I can’t wait for all you people to welcome back Regina Jacobs and Alberto Salazar for just messing up, making mistakes, not being perfect, but just being positive and turning their lives around! Because someone taking PEDs at worst keeps a middle class white guy/girl from running in some meet no one cares about, but a heroin addict robs and steals for real!
Then why is the addict heroic? Apples to apples, drugs to drugs.
Had both qualified in their respective years, they were fast enough to qualify.
And drug users.
I'm not seeing the point.
Lots of vitriol in this thread. Most coming from our resident unhinged anti-social dimwit Mike Smith.
One of the greatest ironies of life is that people who publicly demean mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment are often the very first people to discretely seek out these resources for themselves or their loved ones when it's necessary. Because they and their loved ones are special, of course.
Plus, you can be assured that I support mental health and substance abuse treatment.
The sour grapes in this thread is outrageous lol. Pretty understandable. A lot of folks just haven't had anything this difficult, like drug addiction, to overcome in their lives.
This guy is killing it. The greatest motivation for success is trying to distance your present self from your past self.
Its just jealousy by everyone. The average letsrun poster has to their own detriment, devoted a large portion of their life to running. They skipped social events and parties in college to "get in their double for the day". They neurotically ensured they hit mileage targets, ensuring to run on holidays, day of extreme weather, perhaps even the day of their own wedding all to make sure they don't fall behind on their aerobic base. They picked easy college majors like exercise science (or something worthless like that) so they could fully devote their time to running and recovery. Running world records are memorized and scrutinized down to the millisecond. Even after giving up their competitive aspirations, they obsess over random high school runners and their instagram "drama".
Meanwhile, an absolute CHAD texas runner partied hard in his teens and 20s, living life to the fullest, barely worked out (and did not run) , hooked up with probably too many girls to remember, and probably couldnt even tell you who Bekele is. Now he's working a full time job and using running as his hobby to get past some past drug addictions and he's blowing everyone out of the water. He probably views running like a normal person views watching netflix or doing something yoga after work. And he's destroying everyone.
I mean, I'd be upset at someone making a mockery of my entire life. Totally understandable.
One of the most true and brutal posts I've seen on this site. This could borderline induce a life crisis for many here.
Its just jealousy by everyone. The average letsrun poster has to their own detriment, devoted a large portion of their life to running. They skipped social events and parties in college to "get in their double for the day". They neurotically ensured they hit mileage targets, ensuring to run on holidays, day of extreme weather, perhaps even the day of their own wedding all to make sure they don't fall behind on their aerobic base. They picked easy college majors like exercise science (or something worthless like that) so they could fully devote their time to running and recovery. Running world records are memorized and scrutinized down to the millisecond. Even after giving up their competitive aspirations, they obsess over random high school runners and their instagram "drama".
Meanwhile, an absolute CHAD texas runner partied hard in his teens and 20s, living life to the fullest, barely worked out (and did not run) , hooked up with probably too many girls to remember, and probably couldnt even tell you who Bekele is. Now he's working a full time job and using running as his hobby to get past some past drug addictions and he's blowing everyone out of the water. He probably views running like a normal person views watching netflix or doing something yoga after work. And he's destroying everyone.
I mean, I'd be upset at someone making a mockery of my entire life. Totally understandable.
One of the most true and brutal posts I've seen on this site. This could borderline induce a life crisis for many here.
It could. Some of us have been naive to the large community support for drug addicts and users, as well as the successfully rehabilitated.
Kill dogs in illegal ring, do time, play football again, become an analyst..ok. (Mike)
Rape women, do time, still get in the ring, get one -man show...sure. (Another Mike)
Do time, become charity run hero....well then.(Yet another Mike)
Commit crimes, get reinstated into NFL after each crime.(Adam)
Create unrest after traveling over an hour away, shoot people in defense, get a Michael Berry interview. (Kyle)
Meanwhile, Dikembe Mutombo put millions toward medical facilities in Africa.
Pat Tillman died after choosing to give up a suitable pro career in football.
Roberto Clemente died in a crash on the way to Puerto Rico with supplies.
Are we really becoming that depraved that we see accomplishments as central to a good life, rather than respecting the people who didn't need Miranda rights, lawyers, scared straight, bail, time served to naturally stay away from crimes and substances???
Is bad behavior fashionable now?
What a about those who came back to running after conquering or lessening breast cancer, melanoma, other cancers, heart disease, asthma, or came back to running after having to work 60-80 hours a week as a night nurse?
I could go on....but how can people ever spotlight a former addict as if their transcendence was not self-centered to begin with?
When someone overcomes something and betters themselves, even if that obstacle was of their own doing, a normal human response is to think positively of them. The 2:16 is why we have heard of him, but not the primary reason we write positive things about him. If your initial reaction is negative, then you were either burned by an addict in the past or you just suck.
What exactly is so inspiring about running a sub-elite time? Success at that level is like 90% talent. Think of how many people run just as much as this guy but don't get to the same level - are they less "inspiring" because they weren't born with the right genes? Besides, unless he runs for charity, his running success does nothing for anybody else besides him. Good for him, but not inspiring to most.
Getting off drugs is also not inspiring, especially if you're not an addict yourself. It's difficult but not heroic or inspiring. Not doing drugs doesn't make someone a hero, and neither does stopping drugs - it's what you do once you're clean that earns you "inspiring" status.
When someone overcomes something and betters themselves, even if that obstacle was of their own doing, a normal human response is to think positively of them. The 2:16 is why we have heard of him, but not the primary reason we write positive things about him. If your initial reaction is negative, then you were either burned by an addict in the past or you just suck.
What exactly is so inspiring about running a sub-elite time? Success at that level is like 90% talent. Think of how many people run just as much as this guy but don't get to the same level - are they less "inspiring" because they weren't born with the right genes? Besides, unless he runs for charity, his running success does nothing for anybody else besides him. Good for him, but not inspiring to most.
Getting off drugs is also not inspiring, especially if you're not an addict yourself. It's difficult but not heroic or inspiring. Not doing drugs doesn't make someone a hero, and neither does stopping drugs - it's what you do once you're clean that earns you "inspiring" status.
No one is throwing him parades or bestowing Nobel Peace Prizes on him, it's just a solid story.
Dude quits hard drugs and qualifies for the trials with minimal running background.
Me: "Wow, that's a pretty cool story - good for him."
Some others on here: "Why are we celebrating a drug addict? This isn't impressive - it's just because he has a lot of natural talent. Should we celebrate Hitler if he runs a 2:15 marathon?"
Another way to look at it is the tragedy of wasting talent. If he’s able to run 2:16 at age 33 after only a couple years of serious training and all those drugs and cigarettes, imagine what he could have achieved if he took running seriously starting in high school and continued progressing in college and after. He’d probably be a sub-2:10 guy and maybe even an Olympian. What he’s doing now is too little too late. Nothing inspiring about squandered talent.
Imagine what you could have accomplished in your life had you not foolishly wasted hours and hours on running and harnessed that energy towards building connections and friendships, or studying something difficult like medicine or physics.
did you squander any "talent" by running thousand of miles on the pavement to achieve.....what?
Actually I made lots of good friends and met my wife through running. Plus running taught me the discipline of setting and achieving goals, boosted my self-esteem and has kept me in fantastic shape. I have a rewarding and satisfying career. I’m happy in life and running is a big reason why.
What exactly is so inspiring about running a sub-elite time? Success at that level is like 90% talent. Think of how many people run just as much as this guy but don't get to the same level - are they less "inspiring" because they weren't born with the right genes? Besides, unless he runs for charity, his running success does nothing for anybody else besides him. Good for him, but not inspiring to most.
Getting off drugs is also not inspiring, especially if you're not an addict yourself. It's difficult but not heroic or inspiring. Not doing drugs doesn't make someone a hero, and neither does stopping drugs - it's what you do once you're clean that earns you "inspiring" status.
Should we celebrate Hitler if he runs a 2:15 marathon?"
No one is throwing him parades or bestowing Nobel Peace Prizes on him, it's just a solid story.
Dude quits hard drugs and qualifies for the trials with minimal running background.
Me: "Wow, that's a pretty cool story - good for him."
Some others on here: "Why are we celebrating a drug addict? This isn't impressive - it's just because he has a lot of natural talent. Should we celebrate Hitler if he runs a 2:15 marathon?"
I think the issue is Rojo telling us to be inspired by him. I agree with you that it’s a pretty cool story. If Rojo had merely said “cool story” instead of “be inspired” I think the responses would have been much different.
No one is throwing him parades or bestowing Nobel Peace Prizes on him, it's just a solid story.
Dude quits hard drugs and qualifies for the trials with minimal running background.
Me: "Wow, that's a pretty cool story - good for him."
Some others on here: "Why are we celebrating a drug addict? This isn't impressive - it's just because he has a lot of natural talent. Should we celebrate Hitler if he runs a 2:15 marathon?"
I think the issue is Rojo telling us to be inspired by him. I agree with you that it’s a pretty cool story. If Rojo had merely said “cool story” instead of “be inspired” I think the responses would have been much different.
Reading all the replies does not make think Rojo is in any way the issue here.
@wejo - not here to piss. Just remind us of some past stories that we’ve all embraced here and have gone sideways. Not to mention the fact that any addict will tell you that they could completely turn their lives around and then go back to being exactly the same person after using one time.
The brojos have lived somewhat of a sheltered life and I understand that you want to celebrate something on Christmas. You’re probably not aware of how devastating it is to live with an addict in your life and why some people might be muted in their response.
Also, people are going to generally pee on things that @rojo posts. I’d guess 2/3 of the negative responses are there to hack him off a bit
Problem is, many of the posts are people who are bitter that someone else has been more successful than they have, despite years of self abuse. They would be much better off if they didn’t feel that way.