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.

It is parkrun day!!!!

Hold your nerve and go, the hardest bit is getting there...once you arrive it will all fall into place. Anyone thinking about it for the first time...just try it. Army of supportive people from the park run community here and in the real world.

May the Fourth be with you

Well done OP - you sound lovely! Your friend, not so much. How rude.

Proper runners do not criticise each other. They encourage and celebrate 6 hour marathons, 3 hour marathons, managing a mile after being injured, they celebrate people getting involved and having a go. My tri club values and encourages everyone. Your friend is not a proper runner. You are. Ignore her.

Some friend she is! Well done on your first 5k! Do you have a Parkrun nearby? They are really supportive and you'll get the applause you deserve crossing the line. I have been doing 5k for several years and done a couple of 10ks and I still can't do it in 30mins, I am a slow runner and that's ok. There are lots and lots of people who will never break any speed records but run for fun, for fitness, for a sense of achievement. What a bitch to belittle you like that.

Not read everything but well done on your running. It takes me 45-50 mins to do 5k, and I definitely get overtaken by walkers, but I still (sometimes!) do it.
People can be a bit blunt and thoughtless- perhaps from their own insecurity, desire to reassure themselves of their own credentials? - who knows? If she’s a good friend in other ways just ignore her on this one and don’t discuss it with her again.

Ahhhh don't flame me, I'm not feeling quite strong enough to attempt another 5k this morning. Reminding myself it's just two days since my very first! My legs still ache a little

BUT I've written down PARKRUN DAY for next Saturday, and I'll schedule my exercise around doing that this week!

I've registered and printed my barcode, and I'm going to head there this morning to just familiarise myself with the route.

I'm really excited and feeling so much better this morning, you've all given me my mojo back.

I can't wait to post a picture next Saturday of me doing my first Parkrun.

Here’s hoping you remembered your barcode and are listening to the first timer’s briefing ! Good Luck and enjoy.😀 I’m a run leader, have been running 3 times a week for 4 years and all time PB is 33 minutes ...but most of my runs are 36mins. 39 mins is where about 75% of my running club’s Couch to 5k runners finish with the rest split above (up to 50 mins) and below. Previous posters are right, get the distance and speed will come.

Why not look out for people your speed in running club tshirts ...if they’re local then it tells you there’s a ready made group to fit in with. I had 2 ladies of my speed join our club this way, you have a shared interest and everyone is so friendly, so maybe a new social network for you - it was for me . Welcome to the running family xx

You did amazing. I started Park runs in October and only managed to run the whole thing two weeks ago. 39 mins is not bad at all, it's really good. Congratulations enjoy the park runs they are good fun.

Yeh its in the diary ! If you go today then try and chat to some of the marshalls ..and make sure you hang around to see the tail walker come in ..then you’ll see all of the speeds not just the super speedy front runners . Take a note of any of the club runners towards the back of the field (or look them up on the results page this afternoon). Well done, please let us know how it goes

Your friend is awful, one of my friend is like this. I think she is just jealous, I thinking I am ditching mine...

The average walking pace is 3.4 miles per hour. You've done 3.1 miles in 39 minutes which 4.8 miles an hour. You're not running at the speed of 1000 gazelles but you're running faster than your lying, unpleasant friend walks.

That's fantastic. You've done amazingly and even just training for it takes dedication.

Your friend is an arse. Nothing more and nothing less. And not much of a friend at that.

You've done brilliantly op, just ignore her

Haven’t rtft.

39 minutes? That’s bloody brilliant!!
I’ve recently started running. I’m not as good as 5k yet but I’d be delighted to do it in 39 mins. She’s an arse.

I like your plan! Hope the route recce went well and we all look forward to seeing your photo next week

Delighted your mojo is back!

That’s a great plan OP, well done you. You’ll love it honestly. I’ve got a regular park run but have been a ‘tourist’ at many and not met one I didn’t like yet

She's not your friend. Sorry

Unless this is a blip and she's never been snide or nasty before in which case you could give her another chance.

It also sounds like she doesn't really know how far 5k is. Bit dim, maybe?

I did my first 5k in 41 minutes & was so proud, I did a half marathon in 2 & 1/2 hours which is a long time but I did it.. ignore your “friend” and enjoy your running

Wow I think you done amazing and should be so proud of yourself! I can't run I definitely would not be able to do that! a nice person would not make that comment

Your friend is unnecessarily mean and probably jealous.

It takes 45-60 mins to walk 3 miles. I walk 1.5 miles to school with a pram in about 25 mins.

Very well done you - that’s a great time. I try to get my friends running Parkrun with me - it’s brilliant for fitness, socialising and being around like-minded people.

We’ve also had some instances like this of unwanted judgement and comments about ladies nearer the back of the field (funny, because men of any appearance never seem to be judged for trying a sport - Grrrr!) I tore a strip off one guy who thought it appropriate to judge the weight and shape of a lady I was pacing round the course. He walked away with his tail between his legs. Fucker.

Bin that so-called friend, keep the trainers and enjoy next Sat!

Congratulations on your first 5K OP! 🌺. Also wonderful you've signed up for your first Parkrun! I'm STILL thinking about it for myself. (🍰) Glad you didn't let your unsupportive friend derail you.

Omg that is such a mean thing to say! It's embarrassing for her really. Mainly because she is boasting that she could easily do an athletic achievement she's actually never tried. Second, exercise achievements are so individual there is no point comparing.

Well done !!!!!!! Your frenemy is an ass !!!!

It's been said a whole load but it can't be stressed enough OP- you have done brilliantly, bloody well done on the 5k. Keep going!! Your 'friend' sounds deeply snide and unpleasant and you don't need people like that around you. Especially if her comments have you feeling bad or contemplating not bothering when you were elated before she turned up. It's not you, it's her.

It takes 45-60 minutes to walk a 5k, at the average walking pace for a healthy person, so not only is she rude but also just not very bright. I can't stress enough how well you've done, fitness is so valuable and so hard to build up!