I don't think that the majority of comments we receive are nasty. There's just either an innocent ignorance, or it falls under the heading of 'banter'. People at work take the mick out of me for my 'obsessive' running/training/diet; I take the mick back about their obsession with football, or the fact that they're a fat knacker, an old lech...
Can't say there's too much to get worked up about really. Those that take the piss whilst continuing an unhealthy/dangerous lifestyle, well, each to their own. They might die before me from natural causes, but then again, running won't make me impervious to all fatal illnesses, nor will it prevent me from getting hit by a bus (it's always a bus, isn't it?). Fact is, it's what I choose to do while I'm on this earth, and have working legs.
It's a bit of notoriety, but as a result have quite a bit of profile across the company. For those that are into that sort of thing - I'm increasingly disillusioned with climbing the greasy corporate pole, so not so much me any more - this can be quite a help in 'getting on'.
In their more candid moments, many admit they admire, respect or are in awe of what I consider to be a nice gentle run or set myself as challenges. In fact, I've been able to inspire a couple of my colleagues: one's about to run the Edinburgh marathon, the other has lost 4st since last year, and let's me put him through early morning circuit training and has started to drink the same 'slop' (i.e. breakfast porridge smoothie
) as me.
So: take it with a pinch of salt, give a bit back, and where possible, use it as a positive influence.
Don't let the bastards grind you down!