Running with the local squads here has opened my eyes to the differences in culture to attain success. In the west it is severely frowned on to insult peoples weight. We are taught to molly coddle each other - fat is big boned and other such political correctness.
Now as many know, my own weight loss was sparked by insults from friends who called it like it is. This worked for me and I have worked extremely hard to lose the 40kgs that I have over the past years. Now at 67Kgs and 7% body fat, I thought that there was nothing wrong with how I was progressing. That was until this week.
The Chinese coach of the squad I was running with here in Hong Kong commented that I was not bad for a white guy, but that I need to lose some more weight if I want to keep up and get better - 'Too fat' - there you have it folks - no molly coddling that one.
There have been criticism of Chinese athletes at the recent Olympics, but they clearly push their athletes who comply and as a result attain good results. It is my view that perhaps we have become a little soft all round in the west enjoying the good life too much.
I witnessed an 85 year old Chinese man this evening running at 5minutes 30 per KM at the track. He had not an inch of fat on him. All I had to say was 'Wow'.
Running together (while experiencing different coaching techniques) - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller
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