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.

I love this thread. I watched someone very dear to me do the GNR and although I used to run X country and distance at school, I haven't for years. The last time I ran I was probably being chased!
I've been trying to lose weight and get fitter, and I've started running stumbly jogging for a minute on my walks, but I don't seem to be getting anywhere, I've been doing it 4 days a week for a month, I've lost maybe half a stone through that and diet but I don't seem to be getting further forward with the running. Part of it is my feet, they hurt a lot and it's because I'm in walking boots that have seen better days, I've been saving for some decent trainers - any recommendations anyone? Need to be as cheap as possible but supportive.
As for your friend OP, I've found some of my friends got used to me being the fat friend, and they became uncomfortable when I lost weight (I've yo-yo'd over the years) I thought maybe it was because fat I was no 'threat' but slimmer, they perceive me differently. Either way, I don't really associate with them now, fat or slimmer.
This thread has been an inspiration - thank you!

Your friend is an idiot. Please don't take her comments to heart and keep on with the enthusiasm!

There seems to be always someone,who tries to bring you down,when you have achieved something special, so just ignore your friend,unless she was kind of joking. You are doing really well,so keep it up.

I want to do more exercise,I am not overweight,but need to get out more. I don't wan't to do running, but going to do my own version of power walking ,as too old to run.

This thread has made my day.
The support and encouragement from everyone to everyone has been a joy to read. I’m awaiting an operation too and afterwards I intend to find my trainers and redo the C25 and rejoin park runs.
You have made an impact @SlowStarters and your initial post has not only changed your life for the better, but encouraged others too.
Thank you. This really is MN at its very best.

My half marathon is tomorrow. Looks like it’s going to be pouring down with rain all day 😭😭😭 would appreciate any ‘dry in the south west’ vibes if there are any going spare! 🌧 🌧

All done! Shattered now 😁

@swampytiggaa you AMAZING person you! Ahhhhhh!!!!

You look fantastic all Boob-ed up - what was your time? Did you enjoy it? (of COURSE you did) Did it rain much? What a huge, huge achievement.

I'm SO sorry I didn't send good luck message (I sent lots of vibes) - I'm dosed up on painkillers and feeling very sorry for myself after my op a couple of weeks ago, had a few complications and bed-bound. Can't wait to get back to running, I can't believe how much I miss it.

Swampy I'm so chuffed for you, I have a very wide, proud grin on my face that is totally not just down to the Tramadol!

Thank you 😁 it absolutely threw it down with rain 😂😂😂 ended up taking 3:16 as my friend was struggling. I also did 14.5 miles due to some looping back so she didn’t get left behind. The boob was a challenge in the high wind and in retrospect a glitter tattoo wasn’t the best move... the rain spread it all over my face and now I can’t get it off 😂😂😂

We had a laugh tho and I’m really glad I did it. Team Boobs have raised nearly £3,500 from this event so feeling very proud 💕

😂. She could walk 5k in 39 minutes? Is she a giant or what?

5k is just over 3 miles. It takes the average person 17 minutes to walk a mile, and that's walking briskly so actually, unless she's superhuman, she could only walk 5k in no less than 51 minutes!

Has anyone run today? I had to work so I missed parkrun. Cheer me up by telling me your achievements 😁

Who's Parkrunning this morning? Swampy how are you doing??

I'm getting ready for my 17th Parkrun (how?!) now I'm feeling much better post-op. It's definitely getting harder to get up on a Sat morn now it's getting colder!!

I'll be delighted if I make it round in 35mins today, (def not trying for a PB...) will report back :)

We had a laugh tho and I’m really glad I did it. Team Boobs have raised nearly £3,500 from this event so feeling very proud

I'm so glad you had a good time, it's a huge achievement and to do it for such a great cause is amazing!

Tell me the glitter is off now?!

I've been saving for some decent trainers - any recommendations anyone? @Crustytoenail

Footwear is so important, can you get a running store to assess what you need? I find Asics amazing, I buy mine from an outlet store the kids section GT1000s for about £30 (after being advised).

Don't give up - it does get easier, even if you don't realise at the time. Getting to 5k is the hardest bit, but then increasing from there I found much easier.

Just to say I am in awe of you for running. I think below 40 minutes is amazing - and the main thing is you get out there and do it! Your friend (many months ago now, I know) said she could walk 5k faster.. but does she actually do it? That, I believe, is the crucial point.

I wish I had the bravery to start that myself. I lost a lot of weight years ago, but did it through diet, which wasn't great. I am started at the gym on Monday (taken me 18 months to sign up after moving house, mostly due to money issues, though I was quite strict with going before the move) and I am so scared.. but I think once I get back into that routine again, I'll be fine!

Keep going, you're amazing!

@fizzandchips how are you getting on??

@SunshineAngel eee well done, honestly gyms scare me so I'm impressed!

You're amazing! Ignore her. If she was happy and secure in herself, she would never have made such a comment.

Well done you! Thats an incredible achievement .Your friends sounds jealous and nasty ,I would go LC with her and hopefully through running you may meet some more sincere friends ! On a separate note I am short too , and it is hard for us little ones as we have to do more steps to keep up with the long legged lot!

We’ve hit over 4K now and the glitter is mostly gone 😂😂😂

parkrun this morning was a steady one... got my friend a pb which she is over the moon with!

8 miles planned for tomorrow 😭😭😭

8 miles the day after Parkrun, you are so dedicated Swampy. My next run will be Weds, nice few days rest!

My time has come in and I was just over 34 mins, considering I'm 6 weeks post-op and couldn't run at all for a month I'm over the moon!

I’m doing a 10 miler 3/11 and I’ve bullied a friend into it so she needs to get some miles in 😁 got to go out early as I’m in work at 10 😭😭😭

Well done for getting back out after your op and an excellent time too! I was 10 minutes slower but that was perfect for me this morning!

8.5 miles done this morning. Lovely day for it!

It's Parkrun Day! how's everyone doing?

I know this thread is old but I wanted to say I'm still Parkrunning, I gradually upped my milage to run 25-30km a week now, and I've booked my first proper 10k race in March - all thanks to this thread and all your amazing support. I'm officially addicted and it's improved my life/health so much!!

Thank you!

Hey Slowstarters. I remember reading this thread when you first posted and thinking your friend was a dick and hoping you kept running anyway... it has warmed the cockles of my midwinter heart this morning to see that you're still going and improving! Well done. I usually just lurk for the penis beakers round here but I just wanted to de-cloak for a second and say that you've helped inspire me to keep going with my current unfit running efforts (which your dick friend would very much scoff at I can assure you! ).

Don't tell her anything in future

Love this thread. Very inspiring, wish I liked running and wasn’t them at cow I am!

OP you ex friend was a bitch but hopefully you e gained many more friends through PR