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Original poster

Beginner running group - always at the back :-(

29 replies

SatinHeart · 14/03/2022 13:12

I'm normally a card-carrying exercise hater, but I recently joined a beginner walk-to-run programme. We're a few weeks in and I can already run further than I can ever remember being able to run before. Everyone is so nice, the trouble is each week I seem to be more and more at the back of the group and further behind everybody else. I can manage the running intervals, its just I can't really keep pace with the others. If I I try I can sort of keep up with the next slowest people but they keep trying to strike up conversation and I can't really chat at all as I'm having to work on regulating my breathing.

It's kind of taken the shine off the social aspect of the group - one of the reasons I wanted to start running was for the MH improving aspects of exercise, but the moment it's just making me sad that I'm on my own at the back every week. But I'm worried that if I stop the group I won't have the motivation to keep up running on my own.

OP posts:
FurForksSake · 14/03/2022 13:15

You can't compare yourself to others, it isn't fair and will only leave you disheartened. Perhaps once you have finished the course you will find others of a similar pace to run with? Local club here has a Jeff-ing group and a gentle step up group as well as social runs.

Perhaps suggest going for a coffee afterwards to get the social side in?

Remember you are running laps around those on the sofa!

Neolara · 14/03/2022 13:22

I have been an on / off runner for the last 30 years, always incredibly slow and sometimes, literally in the last 20 people of big races with thousands of entrants. I'm currently back on week 3 of couch to 5 k after recurring injury. Comparing myself to others is a recipe for feeling depressed. I think the key to staying motivated is to focus on your own progress and ignore what others are doing. I can guarantee there are people running sub 25 minute 5ks who are depressed at how slow they are compared to the competition. You will never be the fastest, but you can become a faster, stronger version of yourself.

Hellocatshome · 14/03/2022 13:23

Someone has to be at the back (I should know its normally me) I cant talk and run at the same time either so I found the social side in the before and after bits. I would usually get there about 15 minutes early and chat to people as they arrived and as we finished right next to a cafe it was easy to ask if anyone fancied a drink afterwards.

jowly · 14/03/2022 13:29

OP you're doing a whole lot better than those who don't exercise...

You should be proud of yourself 💪

zafferana · 14/03/2022 13:31

With any running group OP people will sort themselves into their natural pace. I'm part of a women's running group and we have different paces at our social runs, but when we were all doing the beginner's course it was always the same people at the front, same ones in the middle, same ones at the back and I can imagine that it might be disheartening to be at the back. Try not to compare yourself to others though. You are on your running journey and the important thing is to keep plugging away. You've already made huge gains and you will continue to do so and there are things you can do, once you -an run a bit, to improve your pace, but please don't let lack of pace at this stage discourage you. The Parkrun philosophy is a good one to remember when you're running i.e. that your running against yourself, trying to improve you own stamina for distance and pace. It's not about running against the other people in your group or other women your age, or whoever. This is about you improving your health and fitness and getting to a point where you can consider yourself a runner. We all have to start somewhere 🏃🏼‍♀️

zafferana · 14/03/2022 13:34

Sorry for typos - cat was climbing all over keyboard!

Thewindwhispers · 14/03/2022 13:37

I’ve done this course (twice 🤣). It is awesome for your body!! The social aspect is overrated, I tried so hard to make friends there and thought I had, I chatted lots while running, but there were zero meetups after the course, no one else was there for friendship I think. So, focus on your running and don’t worry about the rest of the group - I suspect you are starting from zero and most of them have probably run before and their hearts are remembering how to do it.

You are doing a wonderful wonderful thing for your health 👏

TopSecret99 · 14/03/2022 14:03

OP you're doing amazing, don't compare yourself to anyone else. I run 5K every other day after completing the clinch 25K so know how hard it is to even get out there some days!

Don't worry about being at the back and if people talk to you just give grunts- they'll soon get the message.

Plus the longer you do it your fitness levels with go up x

DogDaysNeverEnd · 14/03/2022 14:16

Are you running any other days? You would see more improvement if you did, even if not as far as you go with the group, and that might give you a boost. Also you could ask if anyone wanted to join you in an outing so you would get more social. I find running and talking a bit annoying personally, though I know you're supposed to run at a pace where you can chat!

Sacada · 14/03/2022 14:24

Brendan Foster (Olympic, European, and Commonwealth medalist) was at Sussex University, but wasn't good enough to get into the cross-country running team....but, as he explained, 'the others gradually gave up running, and I kept going'.

1winterblues · 14/03/2022 15:20

I did c25k and was about 5 stone over weight, could barely breathe and felt like I was back at school.

I was absolutely religious about following and completing all the homework runs. As I got stronger I tried to do more of the homework running up inclines and hills and it made such a big difference to my pace.

By the end of the course I was so much stronger and realised I could talk and run Smile I ended up training for a 10k and completed it in exactly 1hr

Our group leader used to make us loop back around again often, so the people at the back were not always at the back. This worked really well.

My advise is to just stick with it

Original poster
SatinHeart · 14/03/2022 16:13

Thanks all for your really kind replies, I think I was just feeling a bit sorry for myself there Blush I know I'm making good progress and I suspect that as @Thewindwhispers says, a lot of other people in the group aren't actually as 'beginner' as I am.

I've been going out twice a week, once with the group and one 'homework ' run. Not quite sure if I could consistently fit in more at the moment but we're not short of hills so could certainly try some more incline work!

OP posts:
PeppaPigStinks · 14/03/2022 16:18

Keep going Op. you are lapping everyone else on the sofa!
I would maybe download a funny podcast/ book and enjoy the time out on my own in the fresh air!
I love losing myself in some good music or a funny book while jogging.

Googlecanthelpme · 14/03/2022 16:21

you just need to run more, build your endurance and pace. It takes time.

Think about a marathon, there are still people at the back. Someone has to be. You wouldn’t be disappointed to be able to run 26 miles after all.

Jet888 · 14/03/2022 16:30

I'm so impressed you've actually joined a running group! Be proud. Im not in one so you're beating me already!

PushingAnElephantUpTheStairs · 14/03/2022 16:33

Keep going, you're doing brilliantly and although it's hard not to compare yourself with others you should focus on your own achievement.

That's one of the joys of running (unless you're at athlete level). You are only competing against yourself and I bet if you look back, you'll see how far you've come.

Well done!!

FinallyHere · 14/03/2022 18:15

You are indeed doing well so congratulations. Agree with PPs that you will really notice your improvement if you can possibly get out three times a week. The third session could be a shorter but hard work session, up hills great or even run for a minute as fast as you can, then drop speed back for however long it takes you to catch your breath again, they burst for a minute again. Or alternate between lamp posts fast and slow.

I do know very well that feeling of being behind everyone else .... Our running sisters groups have a few tricks that work well to keep a group of different level people together, including

'Peeling back' anyone or small group who are far ahead turn around and sprint to the back of the group. They may work their way to the front again and sprint back. The variable speed work is called 'fartlek' a Swedish term and great practice for those who can cope with an extra challenge.

Another one is to do an 'out and back' run. Every out sets off together for a distant point. The first person to reach it turns around and runs home. As they meet people coming towards them, all turn back to run home.

Does the club provide any timed runs? We ensured that everyone when they finished, stayed around to welcome the slower people back. First one home got clap from the organisers, the last people gets a clap from everyone as they have possibly put the most effort in.

If you can keep going, imagine how much better you will be this time next year when welcoming new beginners. All the best.

Xoxrtox · 14/03/2022 18:29

OP I am mid speed in a running group so some of the time I am on my own. Too fast for the slower group and not fast enough for the speedy group. At parkrun on Saturday, with most of the speedy folk, I was second last to finish. However I had all the speedy folk cheering me in last 10m which is one of the motivating aspect of a club. I would have a word with the coach or one of the run leaders and ask for one of them to run with you. I know how disheartening it can be. However you will get faster and you’ll be faster when the next group of C25K people join. I can’t talk and run, I can just about grunt. Tell people you struggle with this and they will understand. However learning to talk and run will help your breathing. I am in awe of those who can do it! I used to run on my own but I am so much more motivated running with other people. Stick with it. You’ll find your pace and your people.

ronjobbins · 14/03/2022 18:32

@jowly

OP you're doing a whole lot better than those who don't exercise...

You should be proud of yourself 💪

This

You're doing brilliantly OP, keep at it and you'll soon be able to chat as you go.

Original poster
SatinHeart · 15/03/2022 09:54

Thanks again all, the group is one at work not through a running club so quite small and not terribly organised! Lots of great suggestions on this thread SmileSmile

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland · 17/03/2022 17:24

Keep going!! I remember being solidly tailed off the first time I went out with a running club and felt mortified. I’m now if I do say so myself a really quite decent fell and marathon runner. Wasn’t built in a day, I’ve had dips and plateaus that have lasted years, and then sudden improvements out of nowhere. You’ll surprise yourself one day!!
Keep on trucking

DetailMouse · 17/03/2022 17:43

I belong to a social running club. I can't say I chat much during the run, I'm too busy breathing and concentrating on where my feet are, but we usually have a good chat at the end.

For me the real social aspect come with other events. Find out if any go to park run or suggest it. We run separately and then meet for coffee after. The same with races and other events, there's always a social after if you go with club mates.

RashofBees · 17/03/2022 17:50

I don’t run, but I have a similar thing with a craft I do. I’m very noticeably worse at it than everyone else in the group and sometimes it really gets me down. On a bad day I can’t tolerate anyone commenting on what I’m doing because I know their compliments are rubbish! I am trying to cultivate the attitude that I’m doing it for me and it really doesn’t matter what other people are doing, and I find I’m getting better at that with time. It would be awful to give the hobby up, which is the only alternative.

MsMartini · 17/03/2022 18:02

Aw, keep going OP! I would just explain you can't run and chat yet, and smile. The social side is secondary, people just want a friendly atmosphere I think, and a commitment so they actually do it. And I agree with pp - get out for a third run if you can. If not, walk fast up those hills in gym kit and trainers, get a proper sweat on. I have found that helps my (slow but happy) running, but is lower impact.

RashofBees · 17/03/2022 18:17

Sorry, op - I’d meant my post as moral support but I didn’t realise you’d posted in Exercise so my crafting story isn’t very helpful. I do hope you keep going though!