I estimate that I’m probably in the top 80 percentile of competitive canoe paddlers (age class 70–75). I’m able to beat a lot of much younger canoe paddlers in races. When competing among the best canoe paddlers in the world in my age class, I’m just mediocre.
Yet people keep telling me overblown comments like: “you’re my hero”, “you’re amazing, and inspiring “. Also, “I want to be just like you”.
Makes me feel so uncomfortable. Don’t know what to say. I think, “Oh please just go away”. In my mind my abilities are never good enough. I’m never satisfied with any result. This pushes me to keep working hard to reach lofty goals.