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'm in Warwickshire (not far from Coventry) and am in the process of doing a couch to 5k. I would love to do a Park Run! Don't know if you're anywhere near me?

Bullshit! Your "friend" needs a reality check.
I consider myself vaguely fit - normal park run time around 32-34 minutes, but a 5k on the gym treadmill yesterday took me 41 minutes!
Be proud of your achievements and definitely check out parkrunning.

Definitely do parkrun. 5k, very friendly people, a lot of people don't run all the way. Some walk, some are super quick runners, most seem to do a combination of running & walking. My time is usually around 37 minutes and there's always a good number finish after me. People are always really kind & tell you how well youre doing. Theres a talk for fiirst timers every week & they'll help you at the finish line to know what you're doing. Just register and download a paper bar code before you go & take it with you. I guarantee youll love it. Its a brilliant atmosphere and full of people who will encourage you, not be judgy like your so called friend. Go for it!

That is an unusually fast parkrun! Our tail walker comes in at about the hour .

Have a look at the others nearby and see if there is more of a spread of time if that would feel less daunting. The bigger ones have more variation.

Or just go! You will find encouraging company, and a smaller run is really welcoming x

Well done! I’m currently incredibly unfit (recently had a baby) but used to be fairly good at running and you’ve inspired me to dust my trainers off. A brilliant achievement!

Well done on the weight loss and running. Be proud and ditch your 'friend'. 🏃🏿‍♀️

Print your barcode. Go to tomorrow . Be there 8.40 so in time for first timers chat, talk to anyone at all in high viz and they will welcome you !!!!

We are all cheering you on

You are definitely not too slow. I did 39 for the last 2 weeks in a row. I was far from last. Wish I was near you, I'd defo run with you!

I'm fairly fit and I couldn't manage a 5k run

You did so well. Fuck her.

There’s a tail walker at every parkrun, you’ll never be last! Every single person is valued and celebrated at my parkrun regardless of the time they complete the 5km.

Go! And don’t forget your barcode!

@SlowStarters I would love to be able to run 5k without stopping and that's a good time, when DS2 isn't feeding like there is no tomorrow I'm going to start couch to 5k again! Thanks for inspiring me!

As for your friend, if she can walk 5k in 39minutes I'll buy her a gobstopper!

That’s brilliant, I done C25K and stuck to it and my first ever was over 42 mins! I haven’t done it since 2014 and am doing my first one tomorrow am terrified and if I get 39 minutes I’ll be delighted!

Well done and ignore her she doesn’t sound very nice at all

OP if it helps start off as a volunteer to see what it's like. Also remember not everyone wants to have their time noted so there may be plenty of slower ones than you can't see listed. I'm miles away and can't jog for more thn 30 seconds so would need a length of stong elastic to "hold hands"

I can't walk 5k be proud you can jog it well done on your achievements be proud of yourself a friend that seeks to drag you down is no friend at all you need better friends (and I need to exercise, )

I am starting found to 5k tomorrow😬😬.

You are amazing inspiration - I was having second thoughts but after reading this I am definitely going.

Oh and your friend is a bitch🤣

Your running at 4.75mph....
Walking is 3.1mph....average...
Maybe you should tell her this then offer to race her ...

Well done. You should be chuffed. Don’t let your “friend” rain on your parade.

You're inspirational, I'm so pleased for you and I don't even know you! Keep smashing your goals and dump the friend. You don't need that negativity in your life.

That is amazing and your 'friend' can fuck right off.

I am pretty fit and I can't do a 5k in under 33 minutes yet. Your time is amazing!!! Well done.

Op, this thread brought warm hearted happy tears to my eyes! Your achievement is fabulous and the support you've been given here is so spot on! It was a joy to read you taking it on and getting your sense of highly justified pride back!

Anyone who makes you feel ashamed of something like this... maybe she deserves the chance to apologise. Only you can judge. But if she has form for this cutting cut and run (like you now know you can!)

Invite her to run 5k with you next weekend or something and then beat her ass!

It’s not slow! I trained for weeks and my first 5k run wasn’t much different to that. She’s jealous. Go for it OP!

She's a fucknugget. And definitely insecure. Your time is a perfectly decent time, if you look at Parkrun times you'll see you're not even nearly the slowest!

My lovely SIL recently did the London Marathon in 3:01 When my aunt completed her first 5k (much more slowly than you), SIL was the biggest cheerleader, she could not have been more supportive (but never patronising). Being a good runner does not = being a dick about someone else's achievement.

Jealousy, pure and simple

sorry, no time to RTFT but 39 minutes isn't bad, especially if it's a first one. Your "friend" is an arse of the highest order. Ignore her.

Well done!