to think it's the taking part that counts, not how long I took?

[Tinklewinkle]

We had a big sponsored walk here this weekend. The whole thing is 26 miles, or you can do either the first half of second half. Or there are shorter walks, flat walks and different bits that you can do

I've done halves several times but this year I was determined to do the whole thing. I found it quite hard but did it in just over 10 hours and was really, really proud of myself.

Anyway, at work yesterday, don't work on a Monday, so the first time I've seen them all since the weekend so it was the first time we've all talked about it.

Apparently, my time was really bad and was subject to much ribbing and stick as to how long it took me - a lot of my colleagues are real fitness fanatics and do a lot of those Tough Mudder/3 Peaks type challenges so all managed times much less than me, so I'm a light weight, etc, etc.

I was still feeling a bit stiff today, I'm alright when I'm moving around but if I sit down for any length of time I sieze up a bit, so again, more ribbing and what a light weight I am.

I took it all as a laugh yesterday, but when they were all still going on about it this afternoon, I got a bit bored of hearing it and was a bit 'ha ha ha '

So now I'm a killjoy with no sense of humour

AIBU to think it's the taking part that counts? I didn't think 10 hours was too shoddy to be honest. It's not exactly an afternoon stroll and 26 miles is a bloody long way.

I feel a bit like they've rained on my parade to be honest

[iklboo]

Well done you. You got up & did something and you finished it.

Sod the naysayers & piss takers. I'm sure they'd love it if someone better at their event than them was ragging them about it ad nauseum. Be proud of yourself.

[Bogeyface]

So now I'm a killjoy with no sense of humour

The standard fall back of a defensive person who knows they have upset you.

YANBU and they are being arseholes.

[26Point2Miles]

Aww ignore them. They probably aren't too impressed with their own times so make themselves feel better by making you feel bad!

But you did it.... It's a long way, trust me, I know!!!

[abigamarone]

There's nothing more 'hilarious' than folk going on and on with the same 'joke' is there?

[Skiptonlass]

Well done! Ignore the idiots ribbing you. I've done several walks of that length in the hills and it's not trivial at all.

I also don't think it's a bad time actually. I tend to walk at half running speed, and a half marathon takes me a whiff over two hours, so quadruple that and add a bit on as its longer...I think that's quite respectable actually.

[Tinklewinkle]

No, the repeated jokes, aren't quite so hilarious when you hear them for 2 bloody days.

I've always got to the half way point and succumbed to the temptation of the bus home. I was determined to finish it this year and was very proud of myself, and I know it's silly, but they took the shine off it a bit.

I'm not expecting anyone to kiss my arse or anything, it's not the hot topic of conversation or anything, but it was just a bit shit

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

For what it's worth from stranger on the internet, I think you've done amazingly well. I live a mile outside of a city centre and will still choose the bus over walking. So I'm genuinely impressed! I think your colleagues are being quite rude, unless you went into work demanding to be treated like Paula Radcliff, the only response is polite congrats.

[Tinklewinkle]

Sorry, x-posted. I didn't think my time was too shabby either to be honest.

It's quite hilly, across fields, unmade tracks, through woods, gravel, etc.

[iamgill]

I walked the Neolithic marathon few weekends back now and I passed quite a lot of people who were chatting and most of them said it was going to take them between 9 and 10 hours to finish. so I think you did really well and well done for doing it.

[MrsTedCrilly]

Just ignore! Ribbing is funny for a joke or two but when it's continued it gets old really fast.. You need some comebacks but I can't think of any

Well bloody done by the way! 26 miles is a very long walk indeed.

[NRomanoff]

Yanbu. My friend did his first half marathon this weekend in 1hr 59mins with no running training. He does play lots of sport though. My first half took 4 hours. He was really taking the piss the other day. I just told him he obviously had an inferiority complex if my running time was so important.

You did it. That's the main thing. Well done. I have done great north run 5 times and would never even consider doing a full marathon. You should be very proud.

[Tinklewinkle]

Thanks!

No, I didn't expect to be treated like some sort of returning hero. Other than the initial chat with everyone yesterday, I've barely mentioned it.

Every time I got up from my chair today, someone has passed comment.

I didn't attempt it to do it in an amazing time. I went with a group of friends, we had a laugh and walked at a comfortable pace. I just wanted to actually finish it, I didn't care what time I did it in.

[iamgill]

also I know tough mudder is hard on the body but it's still only 10k(ish) while you were on your feet for 10 hours and 26 miles, that takes some stamina to keep going.
i'm training for a 100km walk, some are run/walking it and even the runners have said well done to those walking it, your out there for longer than us runners and 100km is 100km on your feet no matter how you do it and the same goes for you, you were on your feet for 26 miles.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Tell them to get stuffed. I've walked a marathon distance and it was bloody hard work. Well done for completing the distance.

[drycoughssuck]

They are being prats. Is your work and are their lives like super really boring & this actually is the most exciting thing they could talk about?

[DarkHeart]

Ignore them, they are prats! I have had people take the piss out of how slow I run (just started and v slow!) when they don't even go running! FWIW I think 10 hours to walk a marathon is pretty good and you should be very proud of yourself for completing it.

[chinam]

I think you did brilliantly. Well done. If I did it, my colleagues would never hear the end of my boasting regardless of how long it took me to finish.

[bumblingbovine49]

They are being ridiculous

Naismith's rule is a rule of thumb that helps in the planning of a walking or hiking expedition by calculating how long it will take to walk the route, including ascents. This rule applies only to hikes rated Class 1 on the Yosemite Decimal System, and not to Class 2 or higher. The rule was devised by William W. Naismith, a Scottish mountaineer, in 1892.[4] The basic rule is as follows:

Allow 1 hour for every 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) forward, plus 1 hour for every 600 metres (2,000 ft) of ascent.
Over the years several adjustments have been formulated in an attempt to make the rule more accurate. . Some common corrections are:

When walking on uneven or unstable terrain, allow 1 hour for every 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) forward, instead of 1 hour per 5 kilometres (3.1 mi).
On a gentle decline (about 5-12°), subtract 10 minutes per 1000 feet of descent. On a steep decline (over 12°), add 10 minutes per 1000 feet of descent

^this would equate to around 9 hours of walking without any hills at all. You did a great job,. those idiots are not comparing like with like when comparing walking 26 miles in the countryside to to running 10km>

[youbethemummylion]

If they are so amazingly fit why didn't they run it eh? Ignore them only bad athletes put others down. When I ran my first 10k I was very near the back and ended up walking bits some of the Athletes overtaking me made some hurtful comments but the top runners who were amongst the first to finish were the ones who waited around at the start lineto applaud eeven the last runner over the line.

[Shockers]

Would they prefer you to sit on the sofa, watching TV and eating peanuts? I fecking hate people who don't appreciate that challenges are personal. It's folk like them that can make others give up. Good for you on doing it!

[BikeRunSki]

There was a lady on Simon Mayo radio show earlier this evening who has run the London Marathon and walked the Moonwalk (was it the Moonwalk you did?) and she said the Moonwalk was much harder, simply because it is a much longer time. The Tough Mudder Snobs are comparing short-term physical strength with long term stamina, which are not comparable.

[VelvetRose]

Do you know what Twinkle this sort of "ribbing" ruins events like this for people I think. It is so mean spirited and deflating. Really well done you. I think that sounds like a massive challenge....walking for that long is incredible!

I know it's hard but really do try to ignore them. I used to do loads of running (I was never "good", always one of the slower runners) I absolutely loved it, the fitness, the making friends, the taking part. The trouble is I got really sick of fitness fanatics like the ones you mention grilling me about my times and making me feel crap about myself when actually I felt very proud!

[ginmakesitallok]

Your workmates sound awful. DP runs with work colleagues. Last weekend they did a 10k. Times ranged from 40 minutes to just under an hour. They all support each other, and are as proud of the one who comes in slowest as the one who comes in first. It's definitely the taking part which counts.

[Tinklewinkle]

Thanks all

No, it wasn't The Moon Walk.

Some of them did run it I think, at least parts. Some of them did put in some really impressive times, I have to give them that but they're just so competitive they can't accept that some of us just wanted to put one foot in front of the other and get to the end.

One of the blokes has never actually done the whole thing. He kept telling me how he'd done it in 9 hours and he was 10 years older than me. Except it turned out he'd only ever done it as 2 separate halves and was adding his times together. His first half time was the same as mine, and I tried to point out that just walking the second half was entirely different to walking the second half on legs that had already walked 12 odd miles so couldn't really compare, but I'm a sore loser

I agree that people like this put me off doing challenges like this. It's silly really, I should ignore them, but it does put me off.

26miles I've just twigged...I think

Whatever. I did it, I have a medal and they can all bugger off

I might need some good comebacks for tomorrow though. All I could think today was "ouch ouch ouch ouch"

[Skeppers]

I did the same walk last year (2nd half only) and it nearly flippin' killed me! SO many massive hills and the wind takes your breath away in places! Don't listen to them. It's all about personal accomplishment, not impressing other people. Well done!