Anyone else fear running outdoors?

13

Replies

  • Beautifulbridgittlee7
    Beautifulbridgittlee7 Posts: 352 Member
    I used to, but I bring pepper spray with me, sometimes I will run/bike outdoors/jump rope, and I think the scenery is nice. I'd love to get into inline skating, that with the swimming, zumba, martial arts, machines and dvds I like to do.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    safety is the biggest concern for me. I looked up the route I wanted to take and found lots of news stories about women runners being attacked, stoned and shot at by street kids and sexually assaulted. Decided the treadmill was a lot more appealing.

    In this situation, if you'd like to run outside, best to drive to another place to run. Usually you can find a safer place in a relatively short distance. Or, just keep running inside. Nothing wrong with that.
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    The first time I ever went for a run, I waited until it was dark out, put on dark clothes, carried a flashlight, and ran down our driveway. No one could see me. I didn't want them to see my fat jiggling everywhere and how hard I was breathing and how far I couldn't run. I only made it 300 feet, and then had to turn and walk back to our house, crying. The next night, I went out and did it again. For a couple weeks I would only run at night on our private lane. And then, I started getting a little bit better at it, and I stopped caring so much.

    Now, I run half marathons with thousands of other people. I'm still overweight. I could not even begin to care. I'll pull on running tights just like the thin runners do. I don't care if my butt jiggles still. I don't care that my sports bra gives me a little armpit boob. I run. And I realized how little I notice what other runners look like. I think it's AWESOME when I see someone who is clearly just starting out. It reminds me of how far I've come, and I wish them all the good in the world as they try every day to make it a little further, a little faster.
    You made me chuckle :) I wrote about the jiggling butt here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AglaeaC/view/even-aeryn-sun-s-butt-jiggles-c25k-reflections-656475

    Everyone's butt jiggles.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    The first time I ever went for a run, I waited until it was dark out, put on dark clothes, carried a flashlight, and ran down our driveway. No one could see me. I didn't want them to see my fat jiggling everywhere and how hard I was breathing and how far I couldn't run. I only made it 300 feet, and then had to turn and walk back to our house, crying. The next night, I went out and did it again. For a couple weeks I would only run at night on our private lane. And then, I started getting a little bit better at it, and I stopped caring so much.

    Now, I run half marathons with thousands of other people. I'm still overweight. I could not even begin to care. I'll pull on running tights just like the thin runners do. I don't care if my butt jiggles still. I don't care that my sports bra gives me a little armpit boob. I run. And I realized how little I notice what other runners look like. I think it's AWESOME when I see someone who is clearly just starting out. It reminds me of how far I've come, and I wish them all the good in the world as they try every day to make it a little further, a little faster.
    You made me chuckle :) I wrote about the jiggling butt here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AglaeaC/view/even-aeryn-sun-s-butt-jiggles-c25k-reflections-656475

    Everyone's butt jiggles.

    I'm hyper aware of it when I'm on a treadmill. It's not so bad when I know that I'll just have to pass by a person, but to be nailed to one spot when I run? Yikes!
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    The first time I ever went for a run, I waited until it was dark out, put on dark clothes, carried a flashlight, and ran down our driveway. No one could see me. I didn't want them to see my fat jiggling everywhere and how hard I was breathing and how far I couldn't run. I only made it 300 feet, and then had to turn and walk back to our house, crying. The next night, I went out and did it again. For a couple weeks I would only run at night on our private lane. And then, I started getting a little bit better at it, and I stopped caring so much.

    Now, I run half marathons with thousands of other people. I'm still overweight. I could not even begin to care. I'll pull on running tights just like the thin runners do. I don't care if my butt jiggles still. I don't care that my sports bra gives me a little armpit boob. I run. And I realized how little I notice what other runners look like. I think it's AWESOME when I see someone who is clearly just starting out. It reminds me of how far I've come, and I wish them all the good in the world as they try every day to make it a little further, a little faster.
    You made me chuckle :) I wrote about the jiggling butt here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AglaeaC/view/even-aeryn-sun-s-butt-jiggles-c25k-reflections-656475

    Everyone's butt jiggles.

    I'm hyper aware of it when I'm on a treadmill. It's not so bad when I know that I'll just have to pass by a person, but to be nailed to one spot when I run? Yikes!
    Black clothes help, though. There's a funny someecard on Pinterest saying something about black exercise clothes being like going to the funeral of one's fat. It makes me laugh out loud each time I see it.

    Humour helps keep the cringes and self-repulsion at bay, and soon enough the fat layers become slightly more matter-of-fact "yeah yeah, I know I could lose some more weight still". There's no point in disliking, hating even, oneself, because it is what it is until it is no more.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Everyone's butt jiggles.

    Which prompts the occasional "I'll just slow down for a couple of minutes" moment when I'm running in London :)
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    Everyone's butt jiggles.

    Which prompts the occasional "I'll just slow down for a couple of minutes" moment when I'm running in London :)
    Heh, reading that Garmin of yours must be interesting. Butt, no butt, butt, no butt, no butt, no butt, butt,... Empirical research at its finest.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Everyone's butt jiggles.

    Which prompts the occasional "I'll just slow down for a couple of minutes" moment when I'm running in London :)
    Heh, reading that Garmin of yours must be interesting. Butt, no butt, butt, no butt, no butt, no butt, butt,... Empirical research at its finest.

    Well it's all really non competitive assessing whether one is going faster than another runner or not. Nothing more to it than that really...
  • jazzie_red
    jazzie_red Posts: 180 Member
    Life Lesson: Don't let things like what other people think about what you do, stop you from doing it. If it makes you happy, and not hurting anyone or yourself, just do it.

    Life is way to short...
  • redwoodkestrel
    redwoodkestrel Posts: 339 Member
    I started the C25k program when I was close to 300 lbs, running in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, after work... which is when EVERYONE (or so it seems!) chooses to run. I was definitely feeling very self-conscious and nervous about it.

    But you know what? I got not a single comment or judgmental look, even with all the jiggling (which believe me, went well beyond my butt!) - mostly being ignored, occasionally a friendly smile, which is fine, since I was generally ignoring everyone else as well, with my headphones in and my head down. While I was definitely the heaviest person out there most days, every once in awhile I'd see someone closer to my shape running as well, and I was always STOKED to see that person and felt inspired by their dedication and effort. So maybe I was also an inspirational person for someone else out there... or maybe not - but it doesn't matter, I was out there for me.

    I'm still out there almost every day, now just running, since I finished C25k. At 230 lbs, I still jiggle. A LOT. I'm still one of the biggest people I see out there. But hey - at least I'm out there running. And I still get mostly ignored, or sometimes will get a smile from a passing runner or bicyclist. It's all good. You just gotta get out there and take your first steps. :drinker:
  • spirit095
    spirit095 Posts: 1,017 Member
    I started the C25K running program and did it outside. I hate cardio and I turn beet red afterwards lol. I just did my thing and didn't pay attention to the people around me. I've never gotten any rude remarks when running. I just listen to my music and app and do my own thing~

    Just get out there and try not to think of other people :)
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    The first thing I always thought to myself when seeing an overweight person out for a run, or trying to run, was "good on them for getting out there!". Usually accompanied by a bit (lot) of guilt that I should be out there, too.

    So when I started, I carried my head high and just told myself that they're saying the same thing about me... "good on her for getting out there". I admittedly have felt a little silly when going to a busier park to do my walk/run drills in my new gear, but I was out there doing it and got a lot of smiles from people going the other way.
  • DvlDwnInGA
    DvlDwnInGA Posts: 368 Member
    Only thing most people are thinking as you go running by is "I need to get my fat butt off the couch and start running." You could be someone's inspiration that day. Go run, save the world!
  • wendy0210
    wendy0210 Posts: 86 Member
    Just go do it! :) I'm not a runner but I was so nervous to get out on a bike on the trails. I was so afraid all the "athletes" (i.e. who I thought had all the gear and were in fantastic shape) would look at my non-workout clothes and secretly think I didn't belong out there, but you know what? I passed by all sorts of people, from super athletic, to those just starting out like me, to everyone in between. It's cool to do the little nod or smile as you pass by and sometimes people say hello to each other. You'll feel like an athlete in no time. It's awesome that you're out there doing your thing to get healthier and now I feel like I belong there just like everyone else (although there are still people out there with awesome gear and in much better shape than me) :)

    Your confidence will increase - promise - just start, and good luck!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Black clothes help, though. There's a funny someecard on Pinterest saying something about black exercise clothes being like going to the funeral of one's fat. It makes me laugh out loud each time I see it.

    Humour helps keep the cringes and self-repulsion at bay, and soon enough the fat layers become slightly more matter-of-fact "yeah yeah, I know I could lose some more weight still". There's no point in disliking, hating even, oneself, because it is what it is until it is no more.

    please don't wear black clothes at night while running... that is SO dangerous.

    I'm much more inclined to wear bright colors and color block- something to break the line of the eye.

    Ah- running at night in black- makes the traffic control coordinator in me cringe.
  • Jaywalker_7
    Jaywalker_7 Posts: 68 Member
    I started at running at 325 lbs and am now at 279. I was sooo self conscious at first. Then I started seeing an overweight woman running every morning on my way to work and she was really giving it her all. I was so PROUD of her and so inspired to keep going. I now run with my head held high and hope that I inspire someone else to be brave. It's very easy to say "just get over it and do it", it is extremely hard to actually do it. Many people who have struggled with weight carry demons from childhood on. It is so brave to face them head on both physically, mentally and in front of people nonetheless. I promise that when you decide to give it a try, after the initial discomfort, you will feel like superwoman. Good luck! :-)
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    I definitely understand the feeling. You don't wanna show your weakness to strangers. It's a perfectly natural feeling. But for your own sake get over it. Because a few days ago I ran 7.5k. And that gives you the opposite feeling your all out there like .. yeah .. rest breaks .. intervals that's not happening. I'm not dying on my feet either. And it feels good.
  • chadya07
    chadya07 Posts: 627 Member
    i recently on a vacation with no viable treadmill finally moved my run outdoors. every look i got from anyone, even at my highest weight and stopping every block or two for breath. every single look was a smile or nod. if people even looked at me at all. it was all encouraging not judgemental.

    however, that was in my moms progressive small town full of rich people, here in my city people LOVE yelling out their cars at people. its like the citys official pastime. now that its cooling off i shall see how it is around here. nothing will stop me though, i want to run bloomsday in the spring.

    i have decided if anyone yells at me i will just chase their truck or jalopy and run over the roof and jump over the other side.
  • AglaeaC
    AglaeaC Posts: 1,974 Member
    Black clothes help, though. There's a funny someecard on Pinterest saying something about black exercise clothes being like going to the funeral of one's fat. It makes me laugh out loud each time I see it.

    Humour helps keep the cringes and self-repulsion at bay, and soon enough the fat layers become slightly more matter-of-fact "yeah yeah, I know I could lose some more weight still". There's no point in disliking, hating even, oneself, because it is what it is until it is no more.

    please don't wear black clothes at night while running... that is SO dangerous.

    I'm much more inclined to wear bright colors and color block- something to break the line of the eye.

    Ah- running at night in black- makes the traffic control coordinator in me cringe.
    Something reflective around places should do the trick! I live in a place that is dark a significant portion of the year, so being seen by fast-moving vehicles is part of walking, running or cycling, unless you do have a death wish.
  • kelly_e_montana
    kelly_e_montana Posts: 1,999 Member
    Yes, to some extent but only because there are mountain lions and bears (no joke).
  • alijoanxo
    alijoanxo Posts: 480 Member
    I did my jogging early in the morning when the sun hasn't quite come up yet and there's hardly anyone else out and about. But honestly, people could really care less about you running, they never pay attention. And if they do who cares? You're doing something good for yourself! Get on out there (:
  • RHachicho
    RHachicho Posts: 1,115 Member
    Yes, to some extent but only because there are mountain lions and bears (no joke).

    ... Well yes that would make me hesitant too ... Fair point.
  • acorsaut89
    acorsaut89 Posts: 1,147 Member
    I am not a runner, although I'd like to complete a 5K at some point in my life.

    However, if I ever see someone running outside . . . especially if they look like they're new to it or struggling - I always, ALWAYS, think to myself good for them - they're out there, they're doing it, and they're bettering themselves.

    I'd say go for it.
  • lucyenjolras
    lucyenjolras Posts: 1
    I was a bit self conscious to start with, but am now training for a half marathon! I never would have even considered running that sort of difference if I'd stayed on the treadmill, but I've found I really love it. My advice for if you're a bit apprehensive would be to use headphones if you can - safely, while staying alert of roads etc. I've found that I feel much less exposed when I wear them, even if I'm not listening to music.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    i recently on a vacation with no viable treadmill finally moved my run outdoors. every look i got from anyone, even at my highest weight and stopping every block or two for breath. every single look was a smile or nod. if people even looked at me at all. it was all encouraging not judgemental.

    however, that was in my moms progressive small town full of rich people, here in my city people LOVE yelling out their cars at people. its like the citys official pastime. now that its cooling off i shall see how it is around here. nothing will stop me though, i want to run bloomsday in the spring.

    i have decided if anyone yells at me i will just chase their truck or jalopy and run over the roof and jump over the other side.

    Start a thread of the things that get said to you and share with the rest of us!
  • Marcel182
    Marcel182 Posts: 143 Member
    Beating a dead horse... but, really, everyone has to start someone.
    I started running when I was overweight in very crowded areas. I'm sure I was self conscious at times. I didn't wear cool running gear and I had to take lots of breaks.
    Now, I wear more appropriate running clothes and have run half marathons and now usually push a 100+ lb double jogging stroller. I love how strong I am now but it doesn't happen overnight. And maybe that small, fit runner you see out there wasn't always like that.
    ^this exactly!

    I remember the first time I went for a 'run', wearing totally inappropriate shoes. I went around the block and was left panting ant thinking that I'd NEVER do this again! But then I did go again. Bought some real running shoes. Ran a little farther, tried to breathe more easy. And so on. Nowadays I can run 7 miles easily, got my bright blue running gear and shoes and just lose myself in the run.
    Of course, music helps. I could never run without it and always make sure I've got a fully charged iPod with my custom playlist of the day with me.
    As someone who had severe asthma when I was young, being able to run so far without having trouble breathing is an awesome feeling. I couldn't care less what people think about me, and hope that some will see the smile on my face as I run by and be tempted to get running too.
  • JenToms80
    JenToms80 Posts: 373 Member
    Felt like that at the beginning so used to run early in the morning when its really quiet, as time goes and your confidence grows you will be running at all times in the day I have no doubt!

    Good luck - and enjoy it! :drinker:
  • Naturena19
    Naturena19 Posts: 16
    I really want to start jogging, but self conscious kills it the moment I consider it. I've been doing calorie programs on my elliptical and have been keeping up with the rpm at each intensity level but I really think jogging outdoors in the mornings would be fun.

    If you ever felt this way, how did you overcome it? I would be going around neighborhoods and I think the part that hangs me up is knowing I'm going to suck at it, and people seeing me sucking air and nearly dying on their sidewalk.

    I'm new to running outside as well, and I felt exactly like you in the beginning. I thought everyone would stare at me, and that more experienced runners would look at me with pity... Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! When I'm running, I'm so focused on what I'm doing that I couldn't care less what other people on the trail might be thinking. In fact, I usually get friendly smiles from walkers and runners! Once you break through that initial fear, the anxiety will slowly fade. Good luck!
  • dazwan
    dazwan Posts: 81 Member
    Just get out and do it, once you get into your stride, you won't really care. Often I'm on such an endorphin high during a run that if I get any laughs (usually from teenagers) I just play along and pretend I'm crossing the finishing line (arms in the air and chest puffed out) it usually gets a good cheer and they know they can't offend me with silly comments if I show I'm having fun.

    Just enjoy it, and pretty soon, when you improve you can tell people how much you've achieved if they say anything nasty to you.

    Oh and I reiterate the whole bright clothing thing if you are on the roads (even in daylight). Get some running specific gear as it usually has scotchlight reflective piping on it that really stands out on those dark roads. I usually have a bright running cap as an absolute minimum, mainly to keep the sweat out of my eyes, but also so I stand out a bit.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    My ultimate trick for a beginning running outside it to wear a digital watch. When you want to slow to a walk, turn around and head home or just look like a pro, look down at your watch, nod knowledgeably and do your thang. You'll rock this :flowerforyou:

    Look up C25K (couch to 5K) for timings of said slowing to a walk!

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