NSV - Those strangers may be your biggest cheerleaders!

TS65

Yesterday, I went for my normal run. Not thinking much about it, I headed toward the main highway. On this road, on a day like this, we have LOTS of bicyclists who ride the 4 miles into our dinky town for breakfast then head back the 4 miles to their cars. This road is like a roller coaster - up and down hills, curvy turns and beautiful scenery. When driving, you don't really notice the hills - they're much bigger when you're trying to run. :noway:

As I hit the 2 mile mark, with 4 bicycles approaching, my c210k app told me I was 1/2 way there. I turned around and started jogging the other way. Once of the bikers asked if I was o.k. (I'm very fair and tend to get really red faced while running) and I cheerily responded "1/2 way there, time to turn around." I didn't think much of the comment. As I continued on with my run, I was passed by many more bikers, many of whom waved and gave me a thumbs up (I was the only jogger in a sea of bicycles).

As I was about to finish the final interval, the one bicyclist was on his way back and slowed down. He started to speak to me and so I pulled off my earbuds. As he rode by, he said to me... "WAY TO GO... you are TOUGH! It's brutal out here!" (80 degrees and 80% humidity - he wasn't kidding!) I smiled the whole way home (o.k., so I was only 3 houses away from home, but I smiled all the way there). :bigsmile:

Why is this an NSV? I'm 5'5 and weigh 188.4 lbs. I have some serious junk in my trunk. I've always been shy about running in public (when I first started, I went to the gym when I knew people would not be there). I've always thought people were snickering about me behind my back (obviously, my own insecurity).

The NSV is that I finally realized the people who are out there WITH you... even if you don't know them... can be your biggest cheerleaders. I'm no longer afraid to run in public.

MB_Positif

That's awesome! Love it!

misscristie

SO TRUE!!!

My husband and I went hiking in Colorado last summer when I was still well over 300 pounds. I kept having to stop and catch my breath while all of these itty bitty folks passed us and were acting like it was nothing (in my mind). Until all of them started coming back down and telling us how great we were doing and how worth it was going to be to reach the waterfall at the end.

TheresaRichardson

Good for you. "No longer afraid to run in public." That is awesome! Keep up the good work!

lisapickering

I love this!! I actually got a tear in my eye... I'm a bit emotional!

Nikstergirl

I think this is great! I've always imagined people who run and are in great shape are snotty and look down on us fat slobs, but I was SOOOOO wrong! Runners (and bikers) are super supportive people who want the whole world to be happy and healthy like they are!!!! So nice that that person made you smile... it was hot today and running in the heat is hard! (I did it today too!) Just think, if you keep working so hard, you will soon have much less "junk" to move around!!!!

Keep running... just keep running!!!!

OSUalum

I love your story!!! So inspirational!
Congrats!!!!!!!!!1

guppygirl322

That's wonderful! I spent years driving around and seeing people running. I was always so much more impressed by the people who were obviously out there trying to lose weight. Those were the people that actually gave me the courage to get out there and run myself!

julsofdenial

I like this!

alienblonde1

Way to go! I don't dare run in public. Too much would be bouncing around. lol

Kath712

I can totally relate, wondering what other people might think when they see me run. Great NSV!!! :drinker: :bigsmile:

calmmomw3minimeez

Awesome story...you go girl!!!:flowerforyou:

mahlx

This is really inspirational. I always feared running in public. I'm very happy for you

av8rblond

I am so happy for you! Sometimes we are our own biggest fear. Our insecurities stop us from doing simple things that others do without a second thought.