To be totally put off running

[gogojojo]

I've recently started to get back into running - I used to run a lot before my youngest child was born but haven't for years now. I've been really enjoying it and was already feeling the benefits after just a couple of weeks though am still fairly overweight

However this evening I was out running and had slowed to a walk on a very steep hill when someone in a car drove past and opened the window and shouted run fatty run out of the window - they seemed to be a total stranger a youngish girl from what I could see

Now I am totally disheartened I don't think I could face going out running in public again might try to go very early in the morning when it's still dark but don't want to be seen - why would a stranger feel the need to do this

AIBU to stop running

I am surprised so many people haven’t experienced this, joint problems mean I am unable to run now but got so many rude and abusive remarks shouted at me when I did.
I was enquiring about a gym membership at a town centre display once and a trio of younger women said to the man they were signing up with that they “wouldn’t bother if they let heifers like her join “ looking directly at me.

Get some headphones and listen to music or whatever then you'll be oblivious to cunts. The correct responses to the insult was a big smile and jolly wave.

@motherloaded

Unfortunately this is the shit we have to put up with as women who dare to exercise outdoors.

people, it has nothing to do with being a woman. Overweight men receive just as many abuse, if not worst .Not everything is gender related

Raise your eyebrow all you like, you’re talking rubbish.

MaddieElla

and you are saying that as an overweight man I presume?
Or a PT working with overweight men or anyone who actually base their posts on facts?

You get abuse as a woman runner of any size. You get called fat as a woman runner of any size.

Omg ignore the nasty fucker who shouted that. Stick with it OP! I'm trying to get back into running too,there really is nowt like it fir getting you in shape.

What a total twat they are. Headphones is a good solution, I don't think anyone has ever shouted at me but if they have I've never heard them!

Is there anywhere you can run that isn't the street? A route round a park or lake or something will probably be mostly other runners/walkers/families so possibly less opportunity for twattishness

@Nightbear

You get abuse as a woman runner of any size. You get called fat as a woman runner of any size.

Completely

Some bloke shouted 'fat legs' at me in the street when I was walking home from the gym once. I was mid 20s, size 10, about 9 stone and fit. I definitely didn't have fat legs.

A bottom slapper who targets runners??😳
I'd slap that runt into next week 🤬

Hahahahahah - that's my response to what their life is like if they think this is funny.

Seriously @gogojojo people who shout things out of cars are lacking in their own lives.

They should jog on, as should you

You probably can run further than that nasty piece of work! Don't pay them any attention.

She is an utter dick. Keep it up, honestly when I see people out exercising I always think good on them and I would say most people think the same.

I hate people! Be proud, i would be jealous of you as I have zero motivation to do it!

@Cotswoldmama

She is an utter dick. Keep it up, honestly when I see people out exercising I always think good on them and I would say most people think the same.

This completely. Keep going, muppets like this are a waste of head space

Its ridiculous.
My dh joined a couch to 5k group last year. Mixed group and they did make it to 5 k. All the woman asked to carry on in a group with the men cos they had no hassle at all when running as part of a mixed group but were harassed when out on their own or in female only groups. And this is in a sleepy town.

Spiderina my experience exactly. I LOVE running with men, it's like night and day. No comments, no hassle or abuse, no people running next to you being 'funny' - lovely.

I run. I'm in my 50s, I'm slow, have never been a sporty athletic type, and it shows.

5% of the UK adult population runs. Anyone wants to laugh at me? Let them. I know that I'm doing something that most people can't. Even if I don't look like Nell McAndrew when I'm doing it.

He's an arsehole, ignore him (easier said than done, I know)

I haven't had any comments personally but I have noticed that men seem to hate women runners. Ive had a few charming examples stand in my way, purposefully taking up the whole path and one twat who let his dog chase me.

I don't know what's so offensive about a woman getting some exercise.

You keep at it - don't let them stop you.

I knew what your OP was going to be about before I opened it.

Utter wankers.

It's women in public spaces doing something that Isn't For Men that some men folk seem to have a problem with sqirrelfriends.

Definitely carry on.
I had some horrid teens drive past me the one day while I was walking with my baby singing "thunder thighs" to the tune of "hungry eyes"
I cried my eyes out that night. People can be vile.

I love running though and even though I wobble and am slow, I wouldn't give it up for anyone.

That person probably has a mental condition,(inbred perhaps?) normal people dont shout obscenities at strangers. However I would be gutted too! Wouldn't stop me running though.

People with 'mental conditions' don't usually shout obscenities at strangers either, Planky20020.

I'd prep an insult ready to yell back so you can respond without hesitation - something like 'your life must be shit, you pathetic twat'

And then crack on...

But then I am the girl who if a guy yells something at me out the car window automatically yells back 'fuck off you misogynistic cunt' so I tend to fight with aggression I prefer to be angry than sad!

I can totally understand why you feel like this, I am obese and I am so self conscious running too. I run with earphones in so if anyone shouts anything I won't hear them, is that an option?

Keep going though OP. If the same person sees you again, they'll know that their comments didn't stop you. And if you get fitter, the joke will be on them when they can see that the hard work you're putting in is paying off.

You can do it OP