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.

This thread will hopefully keep going as an encouragement for all of us steady plodders who get out and celebrate our achievements 💕

I’m sticking around for next weeks parkrun report 😁

I can’t run for 2 minutes without feeling like I’m having a cardiac arrest! I’m in my 20s!. You’ve done very well and don’t let a shitty comment put you down.

@SlowStarters I am delighted for you. I understand that sense of achievement having started C25k in Jan & my first parkrun end March. Going for my 3rd next week.
Fantastically great time.
I found that running like this & doing the "races" has given me a little bit of my bravery back after having some anxiety issues too. The mental achievement is even better than the physical I think. Keep on running & keep us updated! I'm looking forward to mine next week, more because of this thread.
Congratulations. It's a shame they don't give out medals!

@Slowstarters, , congratulations 🍾🎉

I'm sitting here grinning like a Chesire Cat for a stranger's success. Well done, you're an inspiration.

@IncrediblySadToo I'm so glad she said what she did; I'd have never been compelled by you all to do Parkrun! I hope your X-ray goes well today

@SomersetS It's lovely you understand the mental improvements as well as the physical - getting fitter has been one of the best decisions for my MH. I know people advocate exercise for wellbeing, but I didn't realise it would have this much of an impact. It's all positive.

@swampytiggaa I was cheering you on in spirit! I love an action shot, again, in awe - you may have inspired me to research local 10ks :) I wish I could join your club.

@lidoshuffle I'd say be brave, do a jog outside, don't put it off and you can enjoy the sunshine, do it for you, even if you just bimble along and walk/jog gently for 5 minutes, you'll feel elated :) The hardest thing for me is opening the front door.

@MissFitton yay for thinking about 10k! Like Swampy says, even if we can run 5k and then walk/jog the rest, that's still a 10k :)

@Standingonlego You've started something...If I promise to make cake for all (and I bake WELL geddit) can we have a 5k meet up?

planning T-shirts

I've run twice since reading this thread, and also signed up to an obstacle course race with work.

A way to go yet, and I might have done it anyway, but I was genuinely encouraged here first!

Woohoo! Good to see something that started as a negative turning into a positive for so many people!

We should have an online running club to encourage us all 😁 wish you could actually join my club because you would all be very welcome 💕

This is my club just before the race on Sunday - there are more of us 😂😂😂 if you look closely you will see that the majority of us are female and over 40 and lots of us aren’t skinny minnies but we get round have fun and support each other 💕

Your friend is a twat. That’s a great first 5k time and to be honest, who cares about the time anyway unless you’re training for the olympics? You’re doing this for YOU!

Fab pic @swampytiggaa !

So who’s heading to parkrun tomorrow? I’ll be checking in to report back in the morning 😁

Me! Motivated by you all, this thread & my new C25k friends. Good luck all.

Saw this & thought of you all.

Bit of inspiration for everyone here 😁

So...ready for tomorrow? 😄

I'll be there! Wouldn't be a Saturday without park run.

Camping so not park running...but have a fabulous morning everyone!!! Look forward to updates tomorrow

I like this one

This is probably my favourite. It’s what I tell myself regularly 😁

Most of my family do park run - my husband and my two sons have all done a fair few. Even my 7 year old daughter has done the family one a couple of times. I have many, many friends that do park run every week, and have frequently suggested I try to join them. But I hate running. That has always been my policy. I won't do it, won't try, not interested. Your post and the others on it have inspired me, and this week I have done my first two couch to 5k. No one else who I love and know well has had this influence, but you have OP!!! I hope you do park run tomorrow, and I hope you love it. I'm not there yet, but maybe, thanks to you, I will be.

OP the deflation you feel is disappointment in your friends reaction- your achievement is brilliant & you should feel proud, even though she’s dismissed it. Call her out - let her where/ when the next one is & ask her to join you

That’s it op, this thread has inspired me. I’ve been healthy eating since jan and lost one stone, and now I’m looking at exercise to help shift the next stone, so tomorrow I’m starting c25k. No excuses. This is my favourite Mumsnet thread EVER - love all the support.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Well done. Focus on shaving off your personal best so far. Be kind to yourself and let your old friend find someone else she can be mean to. Honestly. You've outgrown her. Roll with those who celebrate you.

Just stumbled upon this thread and not read it all I’m too tired due to my 35 minute 5k earlier and I’ve been doing it for ages and am tall with long legs so I have a big advantage. Just wanted to say - yay to you OP! I never thought I’d run at all, I was shit at all forms of PE at school and the PE teacher used to take the piss out of me and that put me off exercise for years. But I’ve found now that I love running! Your friend is jealous OP. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. Onwards and upwards.

For you all today!