tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post3668570380387713201..comments2023-12-14T01:53:57.634-08:00Comments on Victoria's Obligatory Triathlon Blog: Impostor Syndrome and the Purity of RunningVictoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-90886718852974568192013-02-10T13:47:13.742-08:002013-02-10T13:47:13.742-08:00It's funny because I turn to running to try to...It's funny because I turn to running to try to cope with Impostor Syndrome in the work place. When I was first accepted to grad school, people would always say, 'You must be so smart!' and I would respond with something along the lines of, 'I'm just good at fooling everyone.' I didn't (and still don't) think I'm good enough. So I turn to running, a sport that at my level at least is pure. There is no doping, there is no one to hide behind. It's up to me to make it through the race. But I completely get it. Because you do eventually question the things you accomplish (right now I don't believe I broke 4:30 in Philly since I can't even run half of a mile), even if you know that you did them before. But you're smart and strong, and capable. And I look forward to reading about that sub-4 marathon!Amanda @ Running On Waffleshttp://runningonwaffles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-10202480804213167092013-01-30T08:07:13.409-08:002013-01-30T08:07:13.409-08:00Great post! Found this through Alyssa. I can defin...Great post! Found this through Alyssa. I can definitely relate to this as my running improves beyond what I ever expected when I first started running.<br /><br />Side note, looks like you and my husband may have similar edu backgrounds...His grad program was at a DOE lab and some of his classmates took jobs at Los Alamos.RunningOnCoffeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00715671909290199683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-76025509847381589962013-01-28T12:14:30.745-08:002013-01-28T12:14:30.745-08:00I relate to this. I often find myself coming up wi...I relate to this. I often find myself coming up with reasons why [insert xyz good thing] happened that have nothing to do with my own merit/work/etc. (Of course, [xyz bad thing] is always 100% my fault without any external factors, duh.) <br /><br />Running can be awfully pure, but is swimming even more so? I was thinking (during my slow swim thsi morning, ha) that it strikes me as an impostor-syndrome-proof sport -- there's no "uphill" or "downhill" or other variable conditions (assuming indoor pools). No excuses -- positive or negative -- just the time on the clock. But I was never a swimmer, so I'm probably just talking out of my ass.Kimrahttp://anotherdumbadventure.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-16940493751278788042013-01-28T05:36:25.788-08:002013-01-28T05:36:25.788-08:00Thank you for this post, wonderful! I came way by...Thank you for this post, wonderful! I came way by way of Alyssa's blog. I do this all the time. I let myself be proud for about 5 minutes and then come up with excuses on why it probably didn't actually happen!abbihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05956734205798602159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-31917135937376779472013-01-26T08:04:08.364-08:002013-01-26T08:04:08.364-08:00Wow, this pretty much sums up me too!
I never own...Wow, this pretty much sums up me too!<br /><br />I never owned my improvements in running, despite only getting better as I've aged and persisting. Over time but not suddenly, I've come to appreciate what my body CAN do and celebrate that! I know the same is happening with you, it starts with the realizations!<br /><br />I hope your marathon ROCKS!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00129091073767399081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-86119985317557902242013-01-25T16:04:35.074-08:002013-01-25T16:04:35.074-08:00Haha, I understand "impostor syndrome." ...Haha, I understand "impostor syndrome." I'm just an Assistant Unit Operator (aux operator / equipment operator) who accidentally got a couple degrees and fell into PRA.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure you got that "senior" in front of your job title by demonstrating an ability to get stuff done that needs to get done, with people who are not all aligned and wanting to get that stuff done. That's a pretty useful skill and it can be observed if not measured and quantified.<br /><br />Enjoyed the essay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-40305901845795038732013-01-25T14:15:22.776-08:002013-01-25T14:15:22.776-08:00I find this applicable as someone who is (knock on...I find this applicable as someone who is (knock on wood) going to run a marathon after not actually believing they ever could. I'm still convinced the wheels are about to come off at any time.<br /><br />(Don't ask about the mental olympics involved in signing up for an Ironman with that mentality)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14345300564576672729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-47472783638043446962013-01-25T13:46:21.885-08:002013-01-25T13:46:21.885-08:00This pretty much describes my entire running caree...This pretty much describes my entire running career - great post! Very well written. It's rare that I come across posts that discuss "deeper" issues (and since this is the blog world I'm referring to I'm considering deeper as anything more than "look at this picture of me running and then this one of me eating cake!) and are actually interesting to read. I think this is why all my best races have been when I don't look at my watch, because otherwise I just get all freaked out and it doesn't go well.Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02517428815573698474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-48350882817655322752013-01-25T10:42:59.279-08:002013-01-25T10:42:59.279-08:00Story of my life. I actually had a post written, i...Story of my life. I actually had a post written, in WAY less clinical terms, about feeling this way now... and forever.<br /><br />Time to start owning your running! I think sub-4 is actually a soft goal right now, you are more than capable of that. Get it into your head and kick ass!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-33627899036137542472013-01-25T10:07:24.464-08:002013-01-25T10:07:24.464-08:00Such an honest and real post, Victoria. Unfortuna...Such an honest and real post, Victoria. Unfortunately, experiencing feelings of self-doubt can be common--in both athletics and life--so I do my best to banish those thoughts and continue on. Easier said than done, right? Congrats on doing big things!Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapeshttp://fitnessandfrozengrapes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-6911685704376677202013-01-25T09:56:44.824-08:002013-01-25T09:56:44.824-08:00I completely identify with Impostor Syndrome, both...I completely identify with Impostor Syndrome, both with regard to my PhD and my running. And really I just feel like one huge fraud in every aspect of my life. Even with friendships I feel everyone would be disgusted if they knew what I was 'really' like. I explain away any decent runs - it often feels like I wasn't really the person running. Of course now I also believe that it WAS a different person putting in those reasonable times (aside from my marathon PR which was, of course, a fluke...) because I look so physically different, so much heavier and slower.<br /><br />Excellent post, and congrats on smashing your expectations.<br /><br />xxxJessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11577732790717175356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-52799942930065386722013-01-25T09:56:22.594-08:002013-01-25T09:56:22.594-08:00This is such a good post. I have fallen countless...This is such a good post. I have fallen countless times into this trap while running. Part of the reason I don't take my races out fast is because I am AFRAID to die or not make it. Thank you for posting this as it really puts things (work and life in general) into perspective. Holliehttp://fueledbylolz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-82277346224625636572013-01-25T09:45:56.814-08:002013-01-25T09:45:56.814-08:00Oh for real. Talk about insane subjectivity (says ...Oh for real. Talk about insane subjectivity (says the current national judge).Victoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04974235202743391870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-36939051740088744822013-01-25T09:44:58.606-08:002013-01-25T09:44:58.606-08:00Good post, Victoria. I haven't read your blog...Good post, Victoria. I haven't read your blog before but was drawn by your title/post on FB. I have all of the exact same thoughts re: my education/career, etc., never totally "owning" what I have done. And let's not forget how we used to do an extremely subjective sport whose results could never *totally* be trusted-- Interesting! Thanks for sharing. Blairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02600962062334573035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3581132630137396385.post-2629774062464293252013-01-25T09:44:06.917-08:002013-01-25T09:44:06.917-08:00I have several running friends who fell into this ...I have several running friends who fell into this recently, and they all did amazing (Boston) things at the recent Disney marathon under bad conditions (hot and humid). I had a good feeling about them, and I have a good feeling about you too!<br /><br />And I totally get the same feeling at work. Me, supervise people? Be the boss? Are you sure this isn't some horrible mistake?Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18232262261483229338noreply@blogger.com