To be upset after comment from friend?

[SlowStarters]

For context, I used to be very overweight and unfit, mostly due to MH issues. I lost 38 kilos, and I've kept it off for 6 years now. I discovered I loved hiking and enjoy 10-15k hikes around the Brecon Beacons, for example.

I'm not a 'natural' sportsperson in any way. I'm very short, big bust, mild asthma, but I'm proud of my achievement and want to improve my fitness more so I recently started running. My legs are strong from the hikes but I am slow.

And I say running. Well. More sweaty, breathy jogging, really.

I ran jogged my first full non-stop 5k distance yesterday. I felt elated! I met a friend for coffee this afternoon and told her I'd managed my first 5k in 39 minutes and I was hoping next time I'd knock a minute or two off the time.

She actually scoffed and said she could walk 5k quicker than that. Then she changed the subject.

I can't believe I felt, and still feel, utterly deflated. I know it's really slow and an average time is 25-30 mins but is 39 mins embarrassingly awful?

I feel like throwing my running trainers away.

Your 'friend' is not a friend. She sounds like an asshat. Join run mummy run if you want a community of supportive, helpful and lovely people

Oh god I could NOT be arsed to hang around with her any more. Guaranteed to put you down and be a twat about your healthy choices, no thanks.

I'd be "too busy running for a salad, darling!!!" Next time she tried to arrange to meet

Omg I would cut her out! I'm overweight and I wouldn't even attempt walking 5k let alone try it l. You're a flaming superstar and dont let one stupid comment from a jealous 'friend' take that away from you x

You’re doing amazing and your “friend” is a bitch.

Go “SlowStarters”! I haven’t read all the comments, only your op and was outraged for you.
I joined a local group of “runners” named after a slow moving insect who organise 10 week Couch 2 5k courses. I started in January, literally hauling myself off the couch & did my first 5k at the end of March by Parkrun. Our motto is run at the speed of chat & leave no-one behind. I did mine in 36mins so not dissimilar a time. 39 minutes would have been perfectly respectable.
You should be IMMENSELY proud of yourself. I am IMMENSELY proud of myself and of all others in my group & like me. And if you. It is a FANTASTIC achievement & anyone who says otherwise is just unkind & no friend. All my family, friends & colleagues have been super supportive.
I am now up to 6.5k though not keen on going much further. What you have achieved is amazing & ignore anyone who dares to say otherwise. Good luck. Keep going.

Tell her - don’t stew - just tell her how hard you’ve worked and how proud you are of your achievements. (And quite rightly so - well done) Tell her that you’ve been really hurt by her comments and let her explain herself.

Slowy you go girl just brush her off and get them trainers back on xxxx well done you

And do the Parkrun! They are great. No pressure to beat anyone except your own previous times, if you choose to. I was anxious but did it with a supportive group & really enjoyed it. Marshalls cheer you round at regular intervals and a volunteer brings up the rear so you can never be last. Everyone claps you in at the end. I surprised myself by wanting to do a second. You should too.
And eat whatever you like!

Wow that is an amazing achievement!! I started running last year too, am overweight but obviously trying to lose some. Some twat l know stopped me in the supermarket to say he had seen me running past his house and not only do l leave cracks in the pavement when l run but then said at your weight, you should be running on soft surfaces. Rude prick. I applaud anyone that does any exercise. Be proud of your tine it was fantastic for a 5k x

Well done 💕 your friend is a cow.

I’m passionate about parkrun. I am there every week as either a runner or volunteer and it has transformed my life.

Which one is your local one? There could well be a running mumsnetter who already does it! And if you come to North Devon for a holiday come to mine in Bideford 😁

Ah OP I’ve rtft and you’ve made me smile so much!
You’re legit a badass runner with a cracking mindset! I’d be well chuffed to run a 5k, I can’t run to the next lamppost!
My DP did his first park run today after not running for a long while and he was 8th from the last with other new runners and he said it was brilliant. They cheered each other on and the volunteers were really motivating.
You should be feeling really bloody proud of yourself!

Don't bother telling her your achievements anymore - tell them to real friends who don't need to point score or do better.

You have done really well. Tell yourself this and nuts to her.

I do walk but though I have the couch to 5K podcast (from NHS thing) I have not yet gone to that extreme! My excuse is waiting to get a sports bra etc etc. I am also so clumsy that I often trip when I run/jog. Baby steps for me!

This is me (in the shorts) coming in last in a 10k last summer. It took us 100 minutes 🙂 the lady in the middle really struggled but we got her round and finished like champions with all the faster runners cheering us on.

Runners are lovely. You will get huge support and encouragement at parkrun 💕

Your cow bag of a friend is jealous and intimated by your amazing achievement. Listen to all these ladies here and ignore the bitch.

A huge well done, you absolutely rock OP 👏👏

High maintenance for ordering a salad?
She sounds jealous of your weight loss and healthy lifestyle.

I've only just seen your post @SlowStarters but glad you're geared up for parkrun next weekend as that would have been my first suggestion! I've been tailwalker a few times at mine, and can assure you that you absolutely won't be 'too slow', and you'll never be last (unless you're the tailwalker!). I'm going to follow this thread and looking forwards to seeing how you get on next weekend!

High maintenance is insisting on gluten free vegan food when you normally spend your life eating Maccy D's! Asking for salad instead of chips is not fussy eating, it's a sensible adjustment.

She sounds like a nasty cow who is jealous because you aren't the 'fat one' anymore. If you see her again and she does it again, then look at her very calmly and ask her why she feels the need to put you down. She'll deny it, but you can give her examples. Then say that you feel it's sad that as a friend she's belittling rather than supporting you, and if she carries on then you'll call it a day and not see her again.

That would take me an hour to walk and I stride right out. You "friend" is an arse. Well done you on your first 5K - there will be many more

I'm with Google on this. I'm no saunterer - I stride out like the Armies of the Rhine on a forced march. It would take me just about an hour, too. You "friend" is -

a) lying

b) jealous

c) not a friend

Well done both, on your weight loss (keeping it off is the hardest part) and you running achievement.

Take no notice of that cowbag her. Your technique will improve and your time will get shorter - and tbh, for someone who doesn't run, it's not a bad time at all.

Well done you! I could never run the most I do is brisk dog walking. I also live in Brecon beacons fab place to walk, run cycle also good along the canal.

I think sometimes people quite enjoy having a “fat friend” or a “skint friend” and then resent it when their luck changes.

It’s very sad that your friend isn’t being supportive and encouraging, but it might also be that she is finding it difficult sticking to her “naughty” habits (having chips etc) while you seem so good at making the right choices of having salad etc.

You are doing amazingly. Not just because of the changes you’ve made, but because you’re continuing with your healthy eating habits and you just keep getting fitter! You’re doing so well. Keep going!

i am a fit regular runner
i run about 10-15 km x four a week
and i cannot run 5km in under 35 minutes..so your bloody amazing and should so keep up running ..
some of us are natural slow runners...some of us are usain bolt

You are doing very well!

Ignore your “friend.”
I’m sure you can knock a few minutes off. Keep going!

Hi OP if you do see her again, tell her you’ve signed her up for the next 5k!
And you’ll see her at the finish line as obviously she’ll get there first. 😉

Well done, 39mins is an achievement. I look at running as a challenge against yourself. 39mins is your marker. No doubt you’ll quicken your time over time. Ignore the “friend”. If anything, get rid of her. Sound like an unsupportive bell end

Just joining the well done chorus. That is a fantastic time for a first 5k! I am a medium speed runner and have given a newly running friend an mp3 of inspiring running tunes and entered a run with them and walked. And my very speedy friend slows himself right down to run and chat with me. That's how it should be ! Why not ask her to come along with you to parkrun?