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 west midlands too and can confirm that Brueton (Solihull), Evesham, Stratford and Arrow Valley (Redditch) are all fantastic and you will be greatly welcomed

I’ve been running just over a year, and have my 5k time down to 36 mins which I am very proud of! Your “friend” sounds like a bitch. Well done for running, and for such impressive weight loss/health gains!

With friends like that, who needs enemies ?

Thank you so much for the support.

I've just registered for my local Parkrun! Definitely can't chuck my slowarse running shoes now.

Just a thought - if you are nervous about parkrun how about volunteering for one? It would give you a chance to chat to the volunteer team and see how it all works so you’d be more familiar with it before you run. It’s a lovely thing to do and people are very grateful. You could pick something like a Marshall role which just means standing and clapping and sending people the right way :)

She's jealous. Or mean. Or both?!
Either way buggar her, you've done so well. Don't be deflated!

Go OP - you legend!

I think that's really impressive.

Your friend is an arse. You are doing brilliantly!
There’s no set time you have to attain to be a “runner” running for you is all the excuse you need and 39mins is pretty good!!

Your “friend” is an arse and should be supporting you as you’ve done brilliantly, well done!

Oh and if you’re anywhere near Redditch, the last Saturday in every month they do a pacer week, so you can run alongside a pacer for the time you’d like to try and run in, that’s a great confidence boost!

And also don’t forget once you have your barcode, you can go to any parkrun in the world! (Honestly I’m not getting paid commission!)

Please don’t lose heart. I’ve never been much overweight, and just for a short time, now BMI 21.5 and I’m still not doing 5km in one go. I did it once in autumn last year in about 33 mins after almost keeling over with an asthma attack trying to do it in 30 mins.

Advice I was given was to get the distance first and then work on your speed. But most of all do it to enjoy it/the effects of it - increased fitness and a healthier body.

I’m hoping to get back to 5km and do a park run now it’s warmer. Perhaps you’ll get to meet some nicer local friends at a park run!

Well done on your achievement OP. I also went out for a run today after putting it off for so long and felt good after jogging running continuously for 45 minutes.

Any improvement from before is still an improvement.

Your friend was mean to make that comment, and probably feels bad about not doing something to better herself, so she puts you down instead to make herself feel superior. Ignore her.

Don't you dare throw those trainers away!

A true friend would never try to undermine any achievement you made.

She is not a friend, OP.

Friends encourage and praise each other’s achievements.

Well done to you and keep on keeping on!

Outrage behaviour from a jealous cowbag. Throw your trainers at her head. I’m a runner- not fast, but I do run and hate the emphasis on speed from some folks
You’re doing brilliantly

That's not walking pace. I used to run a lot up to two years ago but right now there is no way I could continuously run that. I still consider myself fit. Sounds like jealousy to me.

OP go girl. And you've actually inspired me. I'll look for a park run (or in my case walk/trot) too. And I'm with the other PPs who say distance or ditch the GF.

Oh fuck her. That's not how friends behave towards one another. Also, I look pretty fit on the outside but I don't think I could actually walk 5k in one go let alone jog or run it. There's no way I could do it in less that 40 mins, I'd collapse!!

@SlowStarters Well done, have a fab first parkrun.

Definitely go to Parkrun! You don't need to talk to anyone if you don't want to, but everyone is really friendly and supportive.
It's not a race and nobody gets judged on their finishing time.

My first 5k was a Race for Life and I trained like a bastard and finished in 44 minutes. I was so chuffed!

I'm impressed that you've lost 6 stone! Wow! That takes some strength!

She's no friend!!

OP bloody well done on your achievement, it's fantastic, and keep going if you enjoy running 5ks. Don't let a frenemy piss on your chips.

Share nothing with her about your fitness. Just turn up looking more and more fabulous every time. What you did is fantastic and she sounds jealous of you doing well, hence the unnecessary bitchy comment.

It takes less than 30 seconds to tell your ‘mate’ to fuck off.

Been running since August and PB still 38 minutes 🤷‍♀️

I have a “friend” like this! I don’t tell her very much anymore !!