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 quite like singing Lily Allen when running. Especially the line : No one wants your opinion!!

Sympathies, op. Try to ignore her and don't let dickheads put you off.

Are there any running clubs near you?
I joined our local club as a complete beginner, and was cajoled and coaxed up to 5k just before covid hit. If anyone is in Kent I thoroughly recommend Beginners 2 Runners, really friendly groups of runners. I'd worry about running with both earbuds in though, I like to hear if anyone is shouting a warning!
As for the stupid woman, ignore!
Keep running!

Well they were probably a MN member judging by some of the threads I have read lately.

Seriously OP fuck them! You keep running. And well done you 🙌🙌

I have a lot of admiration for ANYONE that runs. I am too clumsy myself to do so (run)but I used to love a decent walk! Hopefully when I am better, eh?

@bostonchamps unfortunately this is totally believable. People can be very cruel. When I was about 14, I had gone out shipping with my friends and walked past a group of older teens. One of them shouted "pig" at me and the others joined in with oink noises.

My poor sister was walking home from work, trying to get her steps in. Someone wound down their window and called her a fat cunt. I honestly despair at how thick and nasty people can be.

Please don't be discouraged by this. You know the saying about lapping everybody on the sofa. I am fattish at size 16-18 (my size fluctuates a bit) and running is the one time I really don't care how I look or what anybody thinks or says about me. I'm focussed on running to the best of my ability, and I love my body while I'm running because of what it's capable of.

What this person said was rude, but all that tells you is that they're probably a rude person in general. I bet they're rude to very thin people and people with unusual personal style too. They will have forgotten all about you 5 minutes later. I agree with the comment above about how satisfying it would be if they saw you again, and saw that you weren't discouraged and were getting fitter.

I actually find patronising positive comments the most annoying "keep going love, you're doing well" etc. I would like to tell them that I am keeping going and I'm on my way to do 5K, 10K or whatever I'm doing that day, and ask if they could manage the same (it's always unfit looking people - actual runners just smile or give a little wave), but I don't really want to lose momentum having a chat!