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AIBU?

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Original poster

To give up on Parkrun - photo related

225 replies

Parkrunmisery · 14/10/2018 08:59

OK so this is shallow but I did Parkrun yesterday and whilst I love its open and friendly ethos I look BEYOND SHIT in the fb photos they've posted. I'm honestly not being vain, but I am old (50s) and fat. I want to run to get fitter and thinner but having my photo on the Internet looking horrible makes me miserable.

So AIBU to sack off lovely Parkrun due to their insistence on posting photos of me looking utterly shit*.

*old, fat, red faced, baggy, flabby, grey, no make-up and hair looking shit. I really don't want to have to think about getting made up for sodding photos at 8am.

OP posts:
MiddlingMum · 15/10/2018 18:27

I love running, but don't do Parkrun. Partly because I've got other things to do at 9.00 am on Saturday mornings, but also because I don't want either my photo or my 5k time on the internet for the rest of forever.

It's a great movement for those who want to do it, but I'm far happier going for runs on my own, or doing the occasional charity race.

Oliversmumsarmy · 15/10/2018 18:28

I have friends who have been subject to dv and are very careful about their on line presence and who knows where they live, shop etc

Surely they need your permission to put pictures of people up for all the world to see.

I have considered Parkrun once I get my knees sorted but that really puts me off.

roundturnandtwohalfhitches · 15/10/2018 18:39

This is why I don't do Parkrun. I just run about myself- or I did until I started swimming. I look shit in photos- it's a thing. Knowing I look shit and on FB would depress me. I make it clear to anyone I know if they take my photo it isn't to be put on FB. People do it anyway and I will ask them to take it down. Then they get pissy about me being precious. So now I just say no if someone asks. So I don't do Parkrun. It's a shame because it looks fun. There's 250 people at mine. then other people tag other people. And everyone sees you looking shit.

User24689 · 15/10/2018 18:50

Sorry haven't read whole thread,!

I totally get where you are coming from and at our Parkrun we easily solved this. If you don't want your photo taken, you cross your arms across your chest as you approach the photographer. This was introduced a few months ago and shared on Parkrun FB page and has solved the problem. Can you suggest this to race director? I bet you aren't the only one who hated photos of yourself running!

Ryderryder · 15/10/2018 18:52

Hijacking post to ask if you,can walk a park run with maybe a tiny bit of jogging. I want to start but I can't run for a bus!

emummy · 15/10/2018 18:56

Ryderryder yes you can, it's very inclusive. Go for it!

DonttouchthatLarry · 15/10/2018 18:57

And this is why I always pull a funny face for photographers - I'd rather look silly on purpose than just ridiculous and red faced Grin

PattiStanger · 15/10/2018 19:02

I used to to parkrun and I don't ever remember an announcement about photographs, if that's their policy it isn't being applied at all venues.

I also hated the photo aspect of it but didn't want to be labelled as "that" person by asking for them to be taken down and it was a factor in me stopping going,

I don't see how it makes it inclusive, is there anyone who wasn't sure about going but saw unflattering photos of others and decided to give it a go?

Funnily enough the time aspect doesn't bother me, I'm not fast and I know that but I'm not too badly rated on the age %age thing so happy with that.

Mumof1DS · 15/10/2018 19:08

I agree, hate the fact that there is a photographer at the end. I normally studiosly look at my iPod and never flick through the photos when they are arw uploaded.

VickieCherry · 15/10/2018 19:13

Jesus, I am never doing a Parkrun if you can't avoid photos! I also think 9am on a Saturday is the worst possible time - I'm knackered from a week off commuting and need a lie in. I prefer to run in the evening, before dinner.

iwillrunanultra · 15/10/2018 19:22

upthewolves crossing your arms is a great idea

Ryderryder · 15/10/2018 19:54

Thank you

Gwenhwyfar · 15/10/2018 19:59

" do you seriously think people have any interest in even going to the trouble of looking up your athletic history on PR? "

I looked up someone's the other day. Someone I know does it and I wanted to know if I'd be anywhere near her speed.

EdWinchester · 15/10/2018 20:13

I look up people's stats all the time! I like to see if I'm faster Grin

wigglewam · 15/10/2018 21:15

I know exactly what you mean. I too look awful in all my running photos. I now wear a baseball and sunglasses when doing park run! Please don't give up the health benefits will outweigh the cringing.

wigglewam · 15/10/2018 21:16

*Baseball cap

TAMS71 · 15/10/2018 23:28

Change you FB settings to not allow others to post on your timeline, so it doesn't show up, as long as you don't like or comment on it then your friends won't see it.

And I love the idea of the Fuck Off t-shirt!!!!!!!

Lostinlondon999 · 16/10/2018 07:13

OP allow those photos to give you motivation. I always think I’m quite slim when I look in the mirror. I’m actually obese and weigh A LOT. I don’t look my weight but I definitely look very very big.
I only realise how big I am when I see photo or a glimpse of a reflection in a shop window. Without that I would have had zero motivation.

Standingonlego · 16/10/2018 07:35

You nosy folk :)
Run your own race - that is all that matters. Comparision is the thief of joy !

lastqueenofscotland · 16/10/2018 07:44

Every parkrun I’ve ever been to with a photographer (and I’ve got my cowell so come over 100 different ones) will let you “opt out” of having your photo taken. So put your thumbs down or something

Thisgirlcant · 16/10/2018 07:50

I look like shit on every parkrun or run photo ever taken! People will admire you for doing it. Slap on a big smile, give a thumbs up and remember you'll maybe be encouraging some other overweight 50 something who's considering whether or not they could do it.

Bubba1234 · 16/10/2018 07:55

Just tell them not to post your photo?

caledonianclown · 16/10/2018 08:02

I'm a parkrun Event Director and we always say in our pre run briefing that we will be taking photos and uploading them to Facebook and our website, and that if you don't want your photo used in this way please let us know and we'll take them down. We have a couple of families who don't want their photos used for safeguarding reasons and always just take them out.

So please just ask the team on the day or drop them an email, they should be happy to help, definitely don't let it put you off running!

On a personal note I was 3 stone heavier than I am now when I started running and also hate my early running photos, but they remind me of how far I've come on so many ways so don't mind them existing if you see what I mean!

Bestseller · 16/10/2018 08:05

I stopped looking at the photos a long time ago

Xenia · 16/10/2018 08:19

Wowe, I would never have thought consenting to a photograph would be a condition of this kind of thing. I don't use facebook. I just would never agree to that so sounds like people need to run alone instead unless they want photos put up. I suppose it's clear in the terms and conditions that the photo will go up?

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