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.

She is not a true friend, well done!

She's a pretend friend. You probably serve a purpose for her.

Keep up the running, you're doing well. Running at all is an achievement. I did the C25K and I'm not a runner either. My best friend is gravity, I feel your pain.

Excellent work. Tying to beat your last tume, even by second, is a success. It's a super achievable way to set goals. Keep chipping away.....

This 'friend'.... I'd Keep her at arms length, she's toxic.

How lovey to see that you are doing so well!
I hope that you are proud of yourself. Amazing achievement.
I'm so pleased for you

*lovely (as well as lovey)!

I couldn’t do it in that time, that’s brilliant, well done you!

Ignore your “friend”.

Well done you for achieving all you have and overcoming all you have and you should be so proud of yourself. Keep up the good work as it is great for your health and self esteem. She sounds like such a jealous cow and should be praising you and telling you how well you have done. She obviously hates that you look so good and have kept up your regime. Ditch her as not a nice person.

@SlowStarters

I can't believe it's been years since I started this thread!

But I wanted to update, because old threads so rarely are updated, that I'm still running!

I've run lots of 10ks, (PB is 57 mins!) Two half marathons, and now running sub 30 5ks (at a push, mind!!) And I never saw that "friend" again.

To anyone running, or starting to run - I can't recommend Parkrun enough - or just getting out there and starting to jog - it might just save you, as it did me. I owe this thread a lot - thank you, really.

I hope everyone is as well as possible, and thank you again, through lockdown and a lot of tough times, your encouragement from a long time ago somehow stuck with me 😊

Your thread has been a lovely read @SlowStarters. I’m laid up with strep throat at the moment but you’ve inspired me to go back to my local Parkrun next Saturday. 💜

I have a "friend" like this, she can never just be happy for me and instead always finds some negative or way to put me down. It's horrible when you feel so proud of yourself and they can't just support you like a good friend should.

I’d bet my mortgage she’s never run a step in her life. Am I right?

In my experience, anyone who has run, ever, No matter how slow or fast, is always amazingly supportive of other runners.

She’s jealous.

Well done on your achievement!

I can't run 5K - if I attempted the distance it would take far longer.

WELL DONE OP - ignore your 'friend'

When you WERE the fat one but now you're healthy and a normal weight that can make people around you wonder if they look worse by comparison! I am the single parent one. IYKWIM. Not every single person in my acquaintance has been delighted for me that I'm financially secure now.

Wow this is so inspiring!

Just seen this thread. Superb results op, way to go!

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️👟👟

Sorry, dunno where that blue symbol came from!

I absolutely love this final post from you OP! You took that negative energy from your “not so” friend and you made it a totally positive experience.

I’m glad she’s no longer in your life you don’t need that shot around. Amazing progress you’ve made and keep on enjoying those lovely park runs and beating yhose PBs!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

Haha! Read your OP and joined the thread to say ‘don’t you dare throw out your running shoes!’ and see that you have not only left friend behind but you have hugely built on your original success! SO pleased for you! Well Done!

I’ve never seen this thread before but it’s such a lovely inspiring read and I’m so glad you posted on it to bump it up!

I’m so impressed by all you’ve achieved. Ignore the nasty bitch.

She’s envious of you. Anyone normal would not react like that. Well done OP! Keep going 👌

I hate it when people do that. It's quite natural for someone to be pleased if they have achieved something and want to share it with a friend or colleague. Such remarks are dismissive. She resents the fact that you have done something well and doesn't want to give you credit. I doubt she meant it to come out that way but it does often happen.

Let it go, it isn't worth worrying about, honestly.

Just saw this thread and you're so inspiring! I also suffer from agoraphobia with certain trigger situations and haven't run in quite a long time. I'm moderately pregnant now but thinking maybe I can join a parkrun and just walk the route until my body can handle running again. Really what an inspiring thread 🙂 well done you!!

Op - Massive congratulations on that huge weight loss and getting so fit and building stamina. That's wonderful and takes grit!
Your friend is jealous of your new body and jealous of your new hobby.
Sounds like a bitter little madam. Do you really need to have that energy around?
And 39 minutes is marvellous - I couldn't do it in 39 hours!

I think you are amazing

Friend?

It is slow but practice makes perfect. Good for you! But not everyone is going to be rejoicing but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't.

Your friend sounded v snipey but I'd just ignore and carry on. Throwing your trainers away is OTT.

Gotta crawl before you can walk..