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.

Wow that was cutting & nasty. I would suggest your friend has issues of her own and she's projecting those in her remarks. What she said says more about her than about you OP.

I've been running for years and he'd to be able to run 5k in 24/25 minutes. Now I'm older, more like 33. So to do it in 38 minutes your first time is fabulous. We'll done!

Ooops! Didn't realise the thread had 21 pages! Congrats OK!

Grrrrr OP, not OK in my last post!

Anyone else wearing out their refresh button?
Yes and it is the most exercise I’ve had in days so I’m even more in awe of OP :o

Well done! I bimbled along with the tail walker today and came in at 54:26 😁 was lovely in the sunshine and to have a catch up with the TW (got a good for age place at London marathon next year) and another friend who is recovering from a stroke but who ran for England in her younger days and was one of the original few at Bushey Park 💕

I'm going through the video footage DH took and I've got a screenshot :) Sweaty me, grinning widely with a very cheesy thumbs up.

YES it was hilly! One killer in particular. My thick and stodgy hiking legs served me well :)

I think I'm going to be on a high all week! Definitely going again. I LOVED the starting off bit - being part of the amazing energetic swarm.

I'm refreshing the Parkrun results page. I know it's just about getting round the 5k but I'll be really proud if I manage 39 mins again. I took the advice and went very steady, though.

Honestly, if anyone is thinking about starting exercising or doing C25K - do it. Do it for you. When I started I got out of breath getting my trainers on true. I started from zero. If I can do it, absolutely anyone can.

@swampytiggaa that sounds fantastic! Wow. The sun came out for me just towards the end, make a huge difference. Thanks so much for your support

I was amazed at the diversity of people; and so many '50' and '100' T shirts. I want one! I got lapped by a VERY sprightly elderly gentleman (@Standingonlego my very own Bob?) and an inspiring guy in a wheelchair. The marshals were wonderful, giving so much encouragement. I'm going to eat out on this feeling all day.

This is going to get addictive, isn't it?!

This is going to get addictive, isn't it?!

Yup. I did warn you about this several pages ago!

Seriously though, CONGRATULATIONS!

@SquirrelShit you did!! And you were VERY right!! Thank you.

The results are published... my time was 36.07!! Eeee! I have an actual PB

That's a fantastic time!

That is an amazing time...especially on that type of course Wowsers!!!

Fantastic well done. And I think you've realised what kind of 'friend' you have too!

Fab! Very well done OP!

You should simply have replied " YOU haven't walked 5km in the past ten f*ing years !" .....then laughed. That's what men would have done...so OP give as good as you get. You're doing fantastic - big respect to you.

Well done 🎉. I hope this is me next year.

That’s great! I’ve tried c25k twice now and got stuck at the end of week 6. There seems to be such a big leap then. Massive kudos to you.

You have obviously inspired us all OP

Times just in...I ran 31.56! My first sub 32 min parkrun since April 2017

Absolutely brilliant! Well done! I was telling my friends about you and your ‘friend’ this morning and they were horrified so we did our parkrun with you in spirit 😁

And if you come to North Devon on holiday give me a yell as there are several local parkruns although ours (Bideford) is the best 😂😂😂

Well done.
Brilliant!

Oh well done @SlowStarters I'm so proud of you and, rather embarrassingly, your updates have made me cry! I blame the menopause

You've done fantastically well and you're right, it is addictive. Well done again you superstar!

Bloody well done lass!

Very well done OP, so chuffed for you and you are so inspiring too, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!

Well done 👍. Amazing time. I love PBs

Your friend is a bitch

I did a 5km park run and even at a fast walk it took me and dd1 57minutes