To worry about looking ridiculous when I start running?

[Molehillmountain]

I have done no very little exercise since I had the dc-a few periods where I've swum once a week but generally not. I am not huge, but a size 16 and not exactly small breasted.

I've decided that I'm going to start the couch to 5k thing I saw on Nhs choices and I was all fired up and ready to get on with it until I started thinking of getting running shoes and sports bra. Then it hit me that I would look just ridiculous and awful running and that the folks in the sports shop would think I was too.
I'm still going to do it, i would look sillier staying big and more importantly unfit andI want to set an example to the dc, but Aibu to think I will look silly for a while, and how long that while will be?

Go for it! I started 16/18 with 38f's & barely able to run using a 5km app and now am training for a 10k, start at your own pace, find somewhere to run that's either supportive ( gym) or no one cares ( gym again) or outside at quieter times. Every now and again some idiot in a white van will shout Run Forest Run or similar but they do that to all runners! And the last time someone did that to me it was some massive fat bloke hanging out of his work van eating a pasty for breakfast and smoking! At least I'm trying mate...
Shock absorber do a running specific bra that goes up to 38f and its AMAZING - first time I have not had to wear 2 bras for support when exercising.
My tip is if you find a bra that's comfy to wear, and you've tried it a few times, buy another one or two straight away so that you can alternate them cos they do wear out quicker when one has big knockers!

Plenty of us look ridiculous after years of running, you are certainly not alone! Your physique doesn't define how well you're doing (a particularly body-fascist colleague was recently miffed to be beaten in a half marathon by someone who was 'actually obese!', which pleased the rest of us no end), and personally when I see someone who looks new to running or not a natural runner powering up a hill, I am all the more impressed. Good luck!

it's all so motivating-thanks for the comments. Feel as if I've joined a huge club. The last time that happened in the same way was becoming a mum! Although obviously I'm hoping for instant figure change-rather as I thought I'd be the perfect mother!

I agree, this is a motivating thread. There is one in 'Health and Fitness' but they are much further on than me. They are inspirational, but too far along the difficult road of C25K!

Talking of looking stupid, after yesterday's less than satisfactory 'run', I went out this morning (in the poring rain)- hi vis top (with hood up) and sunglasses on! Even had enough puff to say 'hello' to a dog walker, their dog and the lollipop man!

Soaked to the skin but felt great afterwards!

Dead chuffed

pouring not poring...

And here's a to warm you up. Well done!

I love running, today I ran for 6.5 miles just because ! and yet two years ago I couldn't run fr a minute without wanting to throw up. I have gone from a size 24 to a 14 but I'm eyeing up those 12's jeans which I will fit into one day soon.

I like Sports direct for cheap dryfit clothes (wicks sweat away as you run) and the mobile phone app 'Zombie, Run !' as a fab way to learn to run. Zombie run even have their own version of the Cto5K podcasts.

Lovely to hear everyone's success stories :)

babieseverywhere

Well done Molehill, I did my second little jog today. When Dd got up and came into my room I said "LOOK" she said "what?" I said "I've got my RUNNING GEAR ON"!!!! We both let out joyful shrieks! It's been 15 months since I've put it on (I ran in jeans and a jumper -no sports bra on Sunday-why??!).

While I was jogging along with my lovely doggy I felt elated to be back doing what I love doing again after so many months. I enjoyed getting sweaty, I enjoyed the light drizzle which is so refreshing when you are running, and I loved hopping in the shower all red faced and joyful afterwards. Yippeeee!!!! Also, was amazed at how my legs just seemed to remember what to do. It wasn't half as hard as I had imagined.

Well done to all, this is such an uplifting thread.

Still being inspired by you OP.

I have downloaded a c25k app. Completed w1r2 tonight. I'm finding it challenging but not impossible.

I have set myself 3 goals:

Complete C25k within 10 weeks
Run 5k at nearest parkrun in 10 weeks time
Run 5k at parkrun in Brisbane when we visit family in the summer. They will be astounded by this.

Have to stick to it now ! Tis written!

cherries and it'snotunusual!
"Running club" this evening! I'm a bit nervous actually-it's the first time I'll be with other people and I'm worried that I'll feel a bit rubbish if I'm slower. Am obviously putting that thought out of my head! After all I am the founding member

Well done its not unusual. By the time you get to Brisbane you will be an experinced park runner and your family will be flabbergasted

New farm park run , Brisbane . Looks lovely

www.parkrun.com.au/newfarm/

Slowest person last week was over 45 mins. So you won't be last

Good luck tonight. I went with my 16 year old daughter last night. I my running is considerably slower than hers! Though it was very windy so I'm awarding myself brownie points for just getting out there.

You are also the founding member of this virtual running club.

Thanks KristinaM. My family will be seriously flabbergasted. I card not a jot if I am last. I'll be proud that I start the race, not how I finish. Maybe one day the competitive big will kick in. For now my thrice-weekly challenge is to get my sports bra on and out the door :)

The great thing about parkrun is that it's not a race. The only person you are competeing against ( if you want to ) is youreslf. You get a text and an email each Saturday afternoon with your time and it always says well done!

Of course there are a few super keen boys and girls up the front each wek who will run sub17 or sub 20. But most of us are jogging along in the 22-42 min group and just having fun

I am of your Australian holiday

Also of the Australian trip! But I'm planning to pack my running shoes for our holiday-got quite pleased when I remembered how portable running is.
So-week one done! And had lovely run with two other ladies today. One not a novice but enjoyed the gentle run and chat. The other wasn't going to do it but did! Yay! (Did I just type the words "lovely" and "run" next to each other in the same sentence?!)

Yay!

Feels good doesn't it?

Quite jealous of your running group, when I run with my sister it does go faster once we 'get into step' with each other. I like running alone (although I have found myself answering back to Laura out loud; God knows what people think!), but will using Hubby as support next week when I have to run for 8 minutes- he's not allowed to talk and I will be listening to Laura, but I still need him there.

W2 now- when you next going out?

W2R2 tonight, if the shins will hold up....

Too lazy to read the whole thread. When I see an overweight person, red in the face, hair plastered down with sweat, gasping as they stagger down the street, I always think good on them. For making the effort, for attempting it. I wish I had the motivation and the dedication to do that.

Bonzo

Why not try?

W1 is very light jog for 60 seconds, then 60 second walk- you repeat that 8 times (I think).

I bet you surprise yourself, I couldn't run the length of myself before I started....

Go on, give it a go; come back and tell us how you get on.

Yeah-join our club!
Hope your shins surprise you in a good way, demented!

They did mole. W2R2 done in the evening sunshine and all good.

I haven't looked at this thread since last Saturday. What a great read, really positive! I did W6R1 this morning after a ten day enforced by flu bug break. Was worried that I maybe should have repeated a run from week 5 but decided to plug on as per the programme when I got up. Really great morning with lambs in the fields and hares out and about. Not blowing a gale either which makes a change. Surprised myself how well the run went. Keep going everyone, its ok once you get going!! Its the getting going that's hard!

View

That is good news. I haven't been out since Wednesday . I have come down with a very sore throat and a hacking cough. I can hardly catch my breath, so running doesn't seem a good idea. On waking this morning, it's now not too sore to swallow, but I'm still short on breath. It reassures me that you went do long and still didn't take a backwards step- I hope I'm the same.

Demented & Mole

W2 and W1 completed respectively. I hope you're both proud of your achievement! I'm sorry I didn't complete the week finishing hat-trick by finishing W4. I kind of feel that I'm letting the side down. Hopefully will JFDI on Tuesday.

When are you all next going out?