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.

Awww, I'm so glad you resurrected this thread because that was a really lovely journey to read! Congratulations OP and thanks for sharing!

I commented on your original thread under a different name.

Back then l did no exercise, was obese and pre-diabetic.

I have now lost 3 stone, attend Parkrun each week and have just signed up for Runfestrun in May!!

Who am l???!!!

Great update op!

So you now need to embrace an important fact- you used to be the underdog but you aren't any more and people can be jealous of your achievements and mean towards you. Like your 'friend'. Don't you dare throw your running shoes away.

@iRun2eatCake that’s awesome

@SlowStarters Thanks for resurrecting your thread. I only just discovered it today and feel inspired.

Inspired by the start of your health and fitness journey and inspired by how you’ve continued and built upon it.

Not just your health and fitness journey but also seeing how you moved on in a positive way from your not supportive/not so nice friend. You didn’t let her tear you down.

Great update! Well done.

Absolutely brilliant thread! Well done. I just read the whole thing in one and was dreading that lockdown would have put you off, so glad it didn't. I wonder if you'll ever bump into friend again.

Great update OP, I've read all your posts whilst feeding the baby overnight. It's so motivating. Your happiness bounces off the page. What a good friend your 'friend' has lost. Can only think it was jealousy but it matters not now.
I used to run regularly pre kids when I was slim but I put on 4stones in this pregnancy. Trying to get some weight off before I start running again - 1 stone down. Hearing your enthusiasm has spurred me on. I live in a new place now with a parkrun by the sea so looking forward to that as my first target in a few months. You well and truly caught the running bug! Hope I'll be back there again soon.

Keep going, don't let her put you off! You'll be amazed how much you can knock off your PB over time. Is it a Parkrun? They have a wonderful atmosphere. Do it for yourself, for your health and for being part of a wonderful community.

Whoops, resurrected thread! Love the update, well done OP!

If anyone makes a nasty comment to me then I always use it to my advantage when I run.

So if I'm struggling to run up a steep hill I channel what they've said and the annoyance/indignation I feel really helps power me up that hill in an "I'll show you" type of way!

Run Lola run! You sound fabulous!

Nice one op.

Thank you OP for starting and updating this thread. It is a lesson in so many things.
Soon I am having surgery to put right botched surgery I had in 2017. I was fit before my botched surgery. This thread has given me hope that I can ditch the negative thoughts and get well again one day.
As for the 'friend'. You obviously realise she never was a friend. The ghosting you as soon as you find a bit of confidence, tells you all you need to know.

What a bitch! That is a massive achievement OP. I couldn’t do it. Hats off to you xx

I love this.
Op had achieved so much and inspired some other posters too

I’m fit but I can’t run. You’ve shown grit and persistence and you should be proud of your achievement-I would be buzzing! Your friend was hurtful-some people only feel good when they put someone down.

Well done on your running. I can't help but feel a bit sad for the friend? It seems obvious she was very insecure and from your posts your were friends for many years (you say you were clubbing together as single friends in your twenties). She said a mean thing ... maybe she had stuff going on and never intended to upset you. Im sure we've all made mistakes. When you couldn't make the coffee because you had park run did you offer an alternative? Or was it just a case of no im running? it just seems a bit sad as presumably she was a good friend in other ways if you were friends a long time. Maybe she feels you dumped her rather than that she ghosted you? I wonder how she feels about it all.

Your ‘friend’ is an arsehole. Be massively proud of yourself. I jogged 5k in about the same time and nearly died lol then had a migraine!! She is not a friend. People who behave like that have their own insecurities!

Her ‘friend’ made such a bitchy comment when she could have been supportive so I wouldn’t worry about her

I run 5km in 39 minutes, If my friend wanted to scoff then fine but I’d find that much negative energy draining tbh

Get a new friend and surround yourself with positive people

At least you now know that person isn’t the friend for you

What a lovely thread. You’re an inspiration op You’ve inspired me to get off the couch this morning and get myself to the gym. I’m slowly realising that exercise is the only thing that is working for my mental health. Just have to remind myself occasionally of that on a wet winters morning

Sub 30 5k is a VERY good time and you should feel very proud! Well done for all you’ve achieved, and so glad you’ve got the running bug.
Running is the number one thing that keeps my physical and mental health intact!

You’ve done so well! I couldn’t do that! Don’t let anyone put you off op xxx

You’re an inspiration! Ignore your friend - in fact, find better friends! Keep up the good work, OP.