So many of you hit it right on the head with your comments and expressed exactly what I was feeling! Now I do feel better. I will always hear, "nice job, fat lady, but I'm still faster than you", and I should really just learn to take these comments as they were intended. and too, I should remember that when I offer words of encouragement to someone else, it is often something I need to hear myself.
Dh, who is a much faster climber than I am, also found himself exasperated by well meaning words of encouragement on the same ride. He would get way ahead on the climb, and as he was waiting paitiently for me, people descending would say, "you're almost there, don't give up yet!". He told me that he was going to throw a rock at the next person who told him not to give up!

Oh, that health club thing drives me crazy, GLC!