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.

Hi

Good to hear from you 😊

You do realise that this is it for life now...min of weekly updates 🤣.

Sorry to hear that you weren’t too good at the weekend, but excited to hear about your official race!

I bet Little Addition is just angling to come to bed with you 😊

Yay!! This thread has made me really happy @swampytigga

I started doing Parkrun a while ago because I was looking for something free to do. Anyway, I did it for a bit, then I got injured. When I joined SW about 10 months later I started up again.

I made a couple of friends from Parkrun and I joined a running club. One of the women from the club told me if you can do 5k you can do 10. I told her to fuck off

Anyway, me and my Parkrun pals decided to register for a 10k and it turns out the woman at the club was right. We’ve done several now and last week we did a half marathon together. It was awesome and so were we.

We now also like a bit of #parkruntourism. It’s fun going to different ones. I’m iff to stay with a mate this weekend and I’m going on Friday night now just so I can do Parkrun near her on Sat

Be warned, it’s addictive. It was supposed to be a fucking free hobby but between trainers, club membership, kit, races, shoe lights, hi viz etc it’s cost me a bloody fortune.

Keep going, you are ace!!!

It’s parkrunday tomorrow! I’m not running because I’m RD (in the rain) but I hope everyone else has an amazing run!

So I started C25k 1st week in Jan & have rashly entered my local 10k race tomorrow. Am feeling a bit nervous but have been training hard. Am staggered at how far I've come in such a short space of time!
Oh and there's a massive hill in the middle of it but am hoping friends & great community spirit will see me round!!

Our lowest attendance in over 2 years this morning...so much rain!!! Getting out of bed was the hard bit, enjoyed the run

Good look for the 10k tomorrow! Report back, enjoy

Well I only went & did it! Ihr 8mins 42secs.
In January I was very firmly on the couch. Nobody is more surprised than me that I did a 10k race today. Struggling to believe I ever even contemplated it.
Go ladies. If I can do it, anybody can & I feel so proud of myself. They told me if you can do Parkrun you can increase to 10k. I was sceptical but it is possible.
Well done to ever strapping on their trainers, whatever your distance & particularly if you are new to it like me.

Haven't read all the comments, but don't throw your runnkng shoes away.

So what you did it in 39 minutes. Next time it might be 38 or 43 minutes - it doesn't matter. You did something. You did something you knew would improve your health, your mental health and give you a sense of achievement.
Sod your 'Friend' - she could have walked it but she didn't. You did. Be proud of yourself and keep going. I'm sending you lots of cyber high fives and love from here xxx

At least read the OP's posts, eh Rhiannon!

Congrats @SomersetS - that's brill!

Well done Somerset!!

SlowStarter how’s things?!

Reading the updates in bed but feeling inspired to get up and go for a 1.5 mile run. The rain was putting me off but this thread has turned that around and now I’m thinking it could be quite refreshing instead. Thanks MNers.

Your friend doesn't sound like a nice friend to have.
You have done great OP.
It doesn't matter how long it takes you to complete your run, the fact that you actually did it is rewarding.
Keep going with it and ignore any negativity. It's how you feel for yourself that matters, not what anyone else says.

This is the loveliest thread - well done everyone on your achievements. The support here for each other is just darn great.

Back from my run, drinking a cup of tea and feeling good. Thank you x

@SlowStarters what a lovely thread!!

I am living vicariously through all of you as have got a knee with pretty much no cartilage left and my running days are over.

Your achievement and determination are fantastic. I'd suggest trying a local running group to train with/enter events with as then you'd meet ppl to chat with etc to build up some running friends.

Well done all!!

Hi all! So, so chuffed for those getting out for runs (especially with the weather this week!)

I did my forth Parkrun last Sat! 36:07 and I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if there was half the turnout as usual (rain) I felt more proud turning up.

I have my first race on Sunday!

Honestly can't quite believe this thread has shaped my life so much.

How's everyone doing? Any new 5k completers?

10k is my new goal - I've managed one 7k and another 6k recently

Also sorry for the slow updates - I am here, just exhausted from the new oversize, rebellious, attention seeking, destructive, selective hearing, teenage puppy. DH is set on sending her back so it's taken over my life working on (failing) training her. Ahh!

That's fab OP! Glad you're still running, it feels amazing pushing yourself and achieving things you always felt 'other people did'.

I’m getting back into running after having a baby 3 months ago and managed 8.5k last night. Mainly doing it because I find it impossible to diet! Not quite got the running bug back but hopefully soon, if I stick with it.

Hi OP,

I've only just found this thread, but I really admire you! I, too, lost some weight in a similar way, and took up the C25K as my first step.

Now you've set your sights on 10K (which is my limit - my knees wouldn't like me if I did more than that!) download a good B210K app (Bridge to 10K). They take you through 6 weeks of building up - you'll find it's really not that different to what you're already doing in terms of the stamina you need, and it's such a good feeling to get to the end. My first goal (and first 'race') was a 10K Race for Life, and I did that in 1 hour 4 minutes literally 9 months after I first put on a running shoe.

And no, I won't get any faster!! I'm not fast, I never will be. It's not about speed. It's about knowing you're doing something that's good for you and that's it. I also love the running 'community' thing of always saying (panting!) 'hello' to anyone you meet along the way - even that's a good feeling.

10K here you come!

I appear to have entered a 10k in a couple of weeks. The only running I do is at park run and I last ran a 10k over ten years ago.

I'm sure it will be fine......

Good to get an update 😊

Your 4th, wow, it’s flying by! I’m glad you’re loving it so much!

I’m still largely ‘off my feet’ (another appointment this coming week to see if we can find the problem) but I’d be inspired to give running another go if I could. I usually walk, a lot, but have always been crap at running. I think this knee issue is probably at the root of that.

As for Pup, they are a HUGE amount of work while they’re teenagers, but it doesn’t last forever. Tell DH that you can’t possibly ‘send her back’, she’s family now.

Have you asked for help on the dogs board? Not all advice on training is good advice, they’ll help you over there to sort the good from the bad.

Well done I do it in around the same time my husband does it in 26 mins but knows how much effort I have put in to get this far.

If you are really wanting to get running try your local park run everyone is welcome and everyone supports everyone I love my local one!

How's it going, OP?