I'm so upset

[Elfina]

I've just plucked up the courage to go to a 'proper' running shop. The bloke in there said that I "have a heavy build, for a runner". I was so embarrassed, I wanted to cry there and then. Also not helped by the fact that the only other person there was a sylph-like woman who looked like she could give Paula R a run for her money.

Stupid heavy body. Feel like there's no point in even trying any more. I;m rubbish and slow anyway.

He's being ridiculous. Runners come in all shapes and sizes and speeds. You just need good shoes and a good bra and you're away.

I would try going somewhere else, can you get a personal recommendation for your area?

And have you seen this website? Supporting women of all shapes and sizes in their running.

I hope you didn't buy anything!
Take your money somewhere else, and let them know how crap their attitude is.

Your body is not too heavy to run. I am not a lightweight and enjoy running well, jogging very slowly, it makes me feel great and I don't give a shit about what other people think.

What a twat! I'm never going to be a skinny minnie long distance-type. I build muscle too easily and I have broad shoulders and hips. But I love running, so that's a triumph as far as I'm concerned. Who cares if I'm slow, I may have been one of the last finishers in the HM I did but I still ran a bloody HM and that's a long way.

If you run you're a runner, so he can take his "heavy build" and stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

Thanks guys. I think I'm just feeling a bit sensitive after failing to lose my extra stone of baby weight. No, I bloody didn't buy anything. I was keen to support local business, but I'll give other people my cash!

He's a twat. I walked out of a 'proper' running shop the other day because the assistant couldn't be arsed to do help me unless I was 'prepared to buy the trainers' I fell about laughing and left to go to the running shop 2 doors down which is aimed at women. No idea if it's ok to mention the name of the good shop?

I was given fab advice by the lovely assistant. I couldn't afford the trainers but when I'm earning again I'm going to buy some running gear there.

The assistant you met is really bad at his job- that's all. I'm bigger than I should be AND i enjoy running. I might enjoy spending money in running shops if I get good service

Run past the window of his shop and flick V signs at him

I'm bigger than I should be too !

But I run in a running club, run half marathons and parkrun regularly!! Do it op... In spite of him!

Thanks everyone. I know I'm not the most slender, but, bloody hell! In 5' 8", and 11 stone. I run 25 miles a week. Mo's record is safe, but, ya know! I'm so cross now I've had some wine who are these snobby runners to put regular folk off? It pisses me off, it's liked they think they are the fate keepers to the sport?!

Wow, I started running when I was 6 st overweight and never had comments like that from people in running shops. Definitely take your business elsewhere.

Vote with your feet and keep running Elfina! You might want to contact the manager, or head office if it's a chain. You go, girl!

If you feel like it in due course, I'd be tempted to give the shop some feedback. The man's comment was completely inappropriate; he's completely ignorant about the size/shape of non elite runners (has he never been to running events?); you're not overweight; his sales techniques are shit.

The man/his comment are unworthy of your headspace. And 25 miles a week is pretty awesome mileage. I really need to up mine.

Sorry it got you down Elfina. As you say sport should be for all and we all need to keep fit. Like the PP who posted that however slow you go you're still lapping those of us on the couch!

The other night I was in our local Co-op and the young lad had to call his supervisor before selling me my bottle of rose. He called out to her "definitely old enough"! The cheek

Best not to take it personally, these youngsters don't mean any harm it just falls out of their mouths!

he's a dick

am still mingling outrage and shame and puzzlement at man in a Cambridge running shop recently who said, of my gait: 'did you teach yourself to run like that . . . or . . . is that . . . is that how you run naturally?'

I feel your pain. A few years ago I decided I would run a 10K before I turned 40. There was one scheduled the day before my 40th birthday and I trained for it, knew I could do the distance. Would be very slow because I am quite overweight but I knew I could do it.

Went into the local running shop to pick up my race kit and you were supposed to get a race technical shirt. Lady giving me my race kit didn't give me one so I asked, she looked me up and down and said "I don't think a large would fit you".

I was stunned. I asked for the shirt anyway she was right it didn't fit but she'll never know that and left. My kids were with me. I managed to hold it together until we got to the car and then let the tears come when my kids couldn't see me. The race was the very next day, and she completely shook my confidence.

I hit my target time the next day. I never set foot in that shop again AND I told everyone I knew what she had said to me.

You keep on running and ignore that ignorant git!

(am a forefoot striker, it's not a fucking crime)

Ignore. My friend is a size 16 and runs ultra races. She's just done an 86 mile one. And I wouldn't go back to the shop

I think he meant it factually, not personally & just had poor skills. I'm 5'6" and even when I was 9 ½ st I looked like a heavy build for a runner. I swam as a child, waterskied a lot & have a far bigger upper body than your typical runner. Yes, you have a heavier build than someone who can run a 17 mins 5k but you can, I expect, carry your shopping home yourself & put things in overhead cupboards.

Sir Chris Hoy is too heavy a build for the Tour de France or road racing but that didn't stop him winning gold medals.

Well as my husband reminded me, I might not be built like Paula Radcliffe, but I've certainly never had and complaints :)

OUtrageous attitude
I'm a swimmer rather than a runner : "oh, bikins are for beaches" made me walk out of a shop and report the m to head office

I think Eastpoint has a errr point!

I think he may well have meant it factually, and I think if he was fitting you for shoes, your build was going to play a part in recommendations. He may have poorly phrased it. I'm a heavy build, I cycle, run, swim, do weights, I have a ton of muscle and still a bit of fat covering it! Doesn't mean I'm unfit, or unhealthy, but I do have to make sure my trainers are supportive enough for me.

I disagree that runners are typically light. There are apparently 2 million runners in England. The vast majority will not be super light and lean. Elite longer distance runners and some club runners, yes. But the vast majority of people I see running are of varied build, with varied gaits. The beauty of running is that most people can do it if they want to.

HE IS AN ARSEHOLE.

name and shame

You are awesome :)

Actually, I think what got to me was the fact that he was saying that running is a special club, and you're not one of us, if that makes sense?

I'd fucking complain. What a prick. Don't matter what size you are. You are out there and running. That makes you a runner.

If it were a chain, I would, it's a small independent shop and he's the owner.