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.

Good luck today. I was doing parkrun regularly a couple of years ago and loved it.

Sadly I have let me weight get very out of control and havent run for ages.

You have inspired me to get my trainers on . Will head to the treadmill rather than out in public however. Not brave enough yet but it's a start.

Op you're a legend. Parkrun is great and 39 mins is really good. You'll find people a lot more supportive than her there!

Enjoy it. And don't worry if you walk, or take longer than 39, or even take an hour. You're achieving something regardless!

Oh and I was petrified on my first but once you start running it all evaporates!

She's being totally selfish. You are a beginner. My first 5k probably was around 39 mins too. You'll get better and knock minutes off. She's probably just scared of the competition.

Good luck OP!

Hooray for parkrun day! Good luck

Hi OP I very rarely post but had to come on to wish you happy parkrun day! This thread has been so inspirational... might start on c25k again myself. What a lovely encouraging and supportive thread.

I've just read this entire thread sat outside drinking my coffee! You're fab OP. I'm actually glad your so-called friend said what she said, because look what it has spurred you on to! She can go swing!

Previous posters are right. People like us in our boxes, fat friend, jolly friend etc. and it threatens them if we dare step out of that box. It says everything about her and nothing about you.

I hope you really enjoy park run this morning, I bet you will. You've inspired me and I'm going to the park run website to have a look for myself. As the kids say, you do you!!!!

All the very best today OP! I am so inspired by what you have achieved. I am going to dust my trainers off and finally do the C25K!

I'm here!

Go you!!

I’m still sitting on the sofa nursing a mug of coffee. Whatever time you do today will be a million times better than me 😖🤣

ENJOY IT

I am about to walk into the gym.

I am going to attempt half hour of 1min run and 2min walk. That is thanks to you.

You will have a great time!

I might not

Your friend is a dick, time to distance yourself!

Oh and well done in your massive achievement, I think 39min is a grand time!

YOU'RE AWESOME!

if it was the other way round I'd have offered to come and cheer her on

Ah, but jealous bitches don’t tend to support their friends, so the thought would never have occurred to her.

Hope you’re ok and WELL DONE!

Anyone else wearing out their refresh button? 🤣

I DID IT! I did it! I did it!

Oh my God, it's probably the endorphins but that was one of the best things I've ever done in my life. The support, the atmosphere was amazing. I was toward the last of the group but I wasn't last-last!

I don't know my time yet but I think it was under 40 mins - I feel elated.

I very nearly wimped out but the thread pulled me through. You're all amazing. Thank you.

I'll update with my time once it's published :) eeeeeeeee!

My DH surprised me by sticking around (I only asked for a lift) and cheering me on and videoing me as I passed him and at the end, he insisted I take a very embaressing thumbs up picture by the finish

Well Done you!! You are a bloody legend 💐💐💐

Woohoo!!!

Well done you and yay for having a fab husband.

Woo hoo!!

I am SO happy that you ENJOYED it!!!

😊🌷🎈🥂

Your DH sounds lovely too!

Slow, you really are - literally - an inspiration. I will be dusting of my c25k podcast and getting to the gym today, with the longer term goal of a park run. And I'm just one of several on this thread whom you have inspired to get more active. Thank you so much and all the best for your future runs.

Well done!!!

I did 2.3 miles in the gym and focused on intervals so I'm now hurting a bit! I plan to go back to park run when I've got my speed and stamina up a bit again

This is the best update ever!!!!

Absolutely delighted for you, brilliant that your DH stayed to support and you are an inspiration .

That looks like a tough run too...grass AND hills

I left my phone at home today, thought about the thread all the tine I was running and then literally ran home to get an update

Brilliant! You did it!!!!

(And do you realize that you had a bigger support team than Mo Farah?! All of us refreshing this thread every five seconds!)

Well done . You've inspired me too!