Embarrassed when running?

Sometimes I ran hungover...

I've done this. I even got a PB hungover once (vomited as soon as i got home). i've even had to sit down on the side of road because i felt so awful. never run hungover. it only took 2 times for me to learn my lesson.

That's okay, I think everyone has felt that way. All you have to do is counteract it and my favorite way is keeping the headphones on with my favorite music. I let myself daydream that I'm winning a race or I'm at a club dancing, and I tend to forget where I am.

I do the SAME thing. Sometimes I even close my eyes and "sing along" by mouthing the words. It really helps me not focus on everyone else. LOL

No one is looking at you. Trust me.

I used to have the same problem. I started running in places I was more comfortable- it was on a treadmill for me- and that eventually helped me get over my fear of running outdoors. I really felt silly running when I first started. No one can convince me that people aren't staring at me. Maybe they aren't judging me, but I'm sure they can see me That's bad enough sometimes. It gets better. It helps to focus on your immediate goal rather than your negative self-talk.

This always makes me feel better:


Hey, Fat Girl.

Yes, you. The one feigning to not see me when we cross paths on the running track. The one not even wearing sports gear, breathing heavy. You’re slow, you breathe hard and your efforts at moving forward make you cringe.

You cling shyly to the furthest corridor, sometimes making larger loops on the gravel ring by the track just so you’re not on it. You sweat so much that your hair is all wet. You rarely stay for more than 20 minutes at a time, and you look exhausted when you leave to go back home. You never talk to anyone. I’ve got something I’d like to say to you.

You are awesome.

If you’d look me in the eye only for an instant, you would notice the reverence and respect I have for you. The adventure you have started is tremendous; it leads to a better health, to renewed confidence and to a brand new kind of freedom. The gifts you will receive from running will far exceed the gigantic effort it takes you to show up here, to face your fears and to bravely set yourself in motion, in front of others.

You have already begun your transformation. You no longer accept this physical state of numbness and passivity. You have taken a difficult decision, but one that holds so much promise. Every hard breath you take is actually a tad easier than the one before, and every step is ever so slightly lighter. Each push forward leaves the former person you were in your wake, creating room for an improved version, one that is stronger, healthier and forward-looking, one who knows that anything is possible.

You’re a hero to me. And, if you’d take off the blaring headphones and put your head up for more than a second or two, you would notice that the other runners you cross, the ones that probably make you feel so inadequate, stare in awe at your determination. They, of all people, know best where you are coming from. They heard the resolutions of so many others, who vowed to pick up running and improve their health, “starting next week”. Yet, it is YOU who runs alongside, who digs from deep inside to find the strength to come here, and to come back again.

You are a runner, and no one can take that away from you. You are relentlessly moving forward. You are stronger than even you think, and you are about to be amazed by what you can do. One day, very soon, maybe tomorrow, you’ll step outside and marvel at your capabilities. You will not believe your own body, you will realize that you can do this. And a new horizon will open up for you. You are a true inspiration.

I bow to you.




Reposted from here: http://flintland.blogspot.com/2012/05/hey-fat-girl.html

My solution is to run early or run in less populated areas. I haven't had that issue in the recent months since I've been at the gym and everyone does their own thing but I'm planning on getting back into running outdoors and my favorite place to run is the town cemetery in the morning. It's peaceful and usually there are no people/cars first thing in the AM. Obviously if you're running at an off time or in a less populated place, be safe and aware of your surroundings.

Who gives a crap what other people think or say!! Just put on your headphones and run!!! :drinker:

I felt that way a bit when I started running again (especially with all the other runners going way faster than me at the park!), but then I figured out that road runners are basically nice people who want to support you, I've even had people high five me on runs, tell me to keep it up etc. I recommend you sign up for a race, you will get massive encouragement from other runners and spectators, and with all the other people out doing the exact same thing, you can bet that you really will blend in to the crowd of healthy, fitness-minded, hard-core, awesome people. Keep it up, it's worth it!

Not sure where you live, but look for or start a small running group. I find I'm more successful & care less what other think when running with a group. I joined a couch to 5k program in mid-January & yesterday I ran 3 miles non-stop for the first time in my life (41 y/o). Best part about being in a group is the encouragment you give each other. Good luck & keep running!!

This is great advice. You get sucked into hanging out with runners, you'll never want to stop! We've been part of three different running clubs in different cities, and you'd think it was all the same people. Very supportive groups.

I will say that I know how you feel. When I was a teenager, I was out for a walk and some boys yelled some obscene comments out the car window at me and sped off. Not only was I embarrassed and more self conscious that I was just getting out there, but now I was also scared because I was all alone on a stretch of two-lane road. I'm sure they just laughed and never thought of it again, but it really messed me up for years. I was top heavy - I started slouching when I walked. I started wearing baggy clothes and crossing my arms a lot. That's when I started gaining a lot of weight. It wasn't until I had teenagers of my own that I realized that incident had held me hostage. Teenage boys holding me hostage! Imagine. I wish I had talked about it like you are and been able to put it behind me where it belonged. Most people don't realize the harm they can cause others by off-handed remarks and actions; it is totally unrealistic to expect (most) young males to be any better!

I've been running since 2003, have logged thousands of miles, and had strange things said and done (was followed and nearly run over- but who's counting?) to me, tool! Lol! That just goes with the territory I guess. That's just the world we live in. My advice? Ignore them. Carry mace. If you run on a sidewalk or track and not the road, listen to an Ipod. Think about all the positive things you're doing to help your body as you're running, and not let your mind wander to what others think about you. After all, what does it really matter? Most are probably wishing they could run like you are! Keep up the good work! Maybe look for a running partner if you continue to feel insecure. My best advice for running and living with "people" is to focus on what God thinks of you and who He created you to be. You have dignity, value and worth to Him! What He thinks of you is far more important than what others think. If you have a Bible, read through the gospels- Matthew and John for sure. You'll get a good idea on just how important to Him you really are! Happy running!!!! Keep going!

Not gonna repeat what everyone already said here...some good stuff....but you have a middle finger for a reason and if people are yelling crap at you, I urge you to use the universal symbol to tell them how you really feel....and keep on running!

That's what I do, well I guess I do it the opposite way. I yell insults and flip off really big 4 wheel drive trucks since they're usually driven by big dudes. I then run like hell. Getting my *kitten* kicked or shot at is a really motivation for running sprints!

Oh yeah, I told a guy to curl up and die once! Road Rage is totally a running thing, just own it!

My embarrassment is different. In my head, I am running as fast as I can but in reality, It is more like a fast power walk or something. After being 380 pounds only a couple of years ago, I am now over 200 pounds lighter but running is not something I have ever done. I must look like a real idiot.

It's like going to the gym for the first few times. Everyone always thinks that everyone is starring and thinking things. They really aren't. (Granted you're not one of those person grunting non stop) In reality, take a second and look around, everyone is off in their own little world. People get all worried because they're lifting light weights. Actually the only people being starred at are the ones grabbing too much weight because everyone knows they'll get pinned under it. (More a guy thing) So in your case, as long as your not stumbling around like a drunk, just get out and run because the only ones that care is you.

This is true. It's referred to as the "personal fable": the idea that when we enter a room, everyone stops and takes notice, and cares about what we look like or what we're doing. The reality is, most people you see in public couldn't care less about you. They are living their own lives. If you notice occasional stares, it doesn't mean a whole lot.

Also, while there is a large amount of prejudice against severely obese people, there are some common reactions to seeing an overweight person do something positive about their weight. When people see an overweight person buying healthy produce or exercising in public, their reaction (if they have one) is usually one of approval. Healthy people don't judge obese people who are showing some initiative to get healthy. What they can be judgmental about is if you're at the grocery store and buying a cart full of Twinkies or junk foods, or if you're pulling up to a McDonald's and order a fattening value meal. If people have any reaction to seeing you running, they're probably on the side of mild approval. But really, they probably don't even care. . .

It's like going to the gym for the first few times. Everyone always thinks that everyone is starring and thinking things. They really aren't. (Granted you're not one of those person grunting non stop) In reality, take a second and look around, everyone is off in their own little world. People get all worried because they're lifting light weights. Actually the only people being starred at are the ones grabbing too much weight because everyone knows they'll get pinned under it. (More a guy thing) So in your case, as long as your not stumbling around like a drunk, just get out and run because the only ones that care is you.

This is true. It's referred to as the "personal fable": the idea that when we enter a room, everyone stops and takes notice, and cares about what we look like or what we're doing. The reality is, most people you see in public couldn't care less about you. They are living their own lives. If you notice occasional stares, it doesn't mean a whole lot.

Also, while there is a large amount of prejudice against severely obese people, there are some common reactions to seeing an overweight person do something positive about their weight. When people see an overweight person buying healthy produce or exercising in public, their reaction (if they have one) is usually one of approval. Healthy people don't judge obese people who are showing some initiative to get healthy. What they can be judgmental about is if you're at the grocery store and buying a cart full of Twinkies or junk foods, or if you're pulling up to a McDonald's and order a fattening value meal. If people have any reaction to seeing you running, they're probably on the side of mild approval. But really, they probably don't even care. . .

When I go into my gym no one even looks up. No one looks at each other. There are tones of old ladies doing zumba and chubby people everywhere (myself included).