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.

Came late to the thread. Do not throw your trainers, but if you ever get the chance, accidentally (on purpose) throw one at her lying arse.

You always get one, ready to put down. You look a right fittie now , and you're inspiring others to get cracking! Whilst she has miles to go on her manners!

Well done you, OP, that’s a great achievement and don’t let a so-called friend put you off, though it sounds like you’ve got her measure now. My DSis has been doing the couch to 5k and she hadn’t run for years because of breaking her coccyx as a teenager. It’s done her a power of good and we’re all a power of good.

I know I should give it a go, though I haven’t yet.

Inspired by OP, I'm intending to go for a first run (in 6 months) with a friend this evening. We may end up walking some but if we can cover 1.5 - 2k, that's better than our usual achievement of sitting on our arses eating biscuits!

Congratulations! Great achievement, and don’t let your rude (and wrong) ‘friend’ diminish it.

Good Luck for your park run, I'm in a similar boat, and have taken up running, or as you say bouncy sweaty jogging to help DD with her long distance training, you're doing so much better than I am.

PS - I think you mistyped fuckwit as friend

bimblepops the NHS do a great Couch to 5k app (you can choose the voice of your choice) or a podcast. Have fun , go slow - too many people start off at the speed they ran at at school and then wonder why they fail...Start off ...then go slower ..and maybe a bit slower still...its 80% a mental battle 20% physical , just make your mind force your legs and lungs to keep moving. Good luck !

Thanks Notageek, will look for it and download it today.

Good luck for Park Run tomorrow, OP and all other Park Runners!

Ahhh I'm really nervous 😬

Running kit is all washed, barcode ready, DH is happy to drop me off tomorrow (I'm aiming to arrive 8.30am...but feeling very jitterty.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Firstly it's a good time. Secondly, even if you had taken an hour and were elated, scoffing and demeaning your acheivment is nasty

Well done OP

Your friend is a jealous cow, OP, no question about it. Good luck tomorrow- Parkrun is fab and very inclusive and friendly!
One bit of advice though - don't let your 'friend's' bitchy remarks provoke you into trying to increase your distance or speed too much all at once. You should be slow when you're a beginner - otherwise you may well get injuries. I'm hoping to go back to Parkrun next weekend after a long injury break. Can't wait! Take it slow, OP.

Very very very well done you lass!

I hope you have a lovely time tomorrow.

And, you may well have encouraged me to go find the local ParkRun page. And I might be thinking of going for a walk around it next Saturday. And I may even be going to dig out my running shoes and giving myself a good long hard look in the mirror... there may well be about three stone of me still to go that's about to get its marching orders...

Good luck for tomorrow slowstarters!

Bit of advice from me... take it really steady tomorrow then you will pretty much guarantee yourself a pb next week 😁

Make sure you report back 🙂 I’m aiming for a pootle around tomorrow supporting some C25k graduates before my 10k on Sunday 😁

I am WAY more excited about this than my own parkrun tomorrow

Good luck for tomorrow! I'm sure you'll have a grand time. Let us know how you get on.

Good luck😀

Ahhhhh

It's Parkrun day!

Pace yourself. Don’t start too fast. Good luck!

Good luck this morning! I'm doing parkrun with a friend who has just finished C25k and I'm so excited for her, it's an amazing achievement!

parkrunday is the best day of the week 💕 enjoy! And DFYB 😁

Wow just read the thread - good luck for today x

Just doing 5km is massive achievement regardless of time - and someone who can't say that isn't a friend.

Good luck! You've inspired me to start C25K (two months after downloading the app and buying new trainers).

Have fun today lass.

I'm unexpectedly off to the vet with one of the 'Raptors, but all being well will join you in spirit next weekend!

I'm a fat, unfit person and I did the couch to 5k and can now complete a parkrun without stopping, but it takes me 40 minutes. I stayed overnight with some friends a while back who are both super fit running types. I went with one of them to do the park run and he finished first in 18 minutes but was so nice and supportive of me with my slow plod because that's what friends do.

@swampytiggaa printed! Taking two copies just in case.

Starting to feel ever so slightly petrified! Will be leaving soon...just forcing down breakfast.