Feeling like a Failure

CookieNom
CookieNom Posts: 19 Member
edited November 15 in Motivation and Support
I like running. It's what I started when I started to get fit and in just over a year I have been going to the gym three times a week to run and have completed two 5Ks for charity.

Today I went for a run where I live and it was an utter disaster. I expected it to be different from a treadmill because it is, so knew I wouldn't perhaps be at my best. My partner wanted to come with me for motivation, though he is not a runner and hates it! So naturally I was elated when he said he'd join me.

So off we went, my partner giving me a bit of a head start as I am quite a slow runner. But soon enough he'd overtaken me and kept going until I couldn't see him anymore. Not a problem, I thought, he is just faster than me.

After about 1.5K I had to have a little rest and walk a bit. I came to a long flat road and started to jog again. THEN as I came towards this man on the road, he made a face and when I ran past him he shouted "Hey fatty, I think you should stop running!" ...So I did. Those words hit me like a train. Then the questions came - why am I feeling so unfit, though I've been running for so long? Should I continue?

I feel SO angry with myself. I know I'm better than this.

Replies

  • lieajane
    lieajane Posts: 78 Member
    That guy sucks! What an unpleasant individual. :(

    Running outside IS harder than running on a treadmill. I can't say for sure why but it is. Doesn't matter though - inside or outside you'll have days when you're just not feeling it, and that's ok. At least you didn't stay sat on the sofa eating doritos cause you "can't do it"

    I'm new to running, but I'm a keen cyclist. I've cycled up to 120 miles in a day, I can get 20 miles in not much more than an hour, climb a 25% gradient without stopping, etc etc ad nauseum......, I can do all these things, but last week, I rode ten miles at a snails pace and bailed out at the next railway station. It happens. No need to sweat it, just go better next time.

    And definitely don't sweat the shouty idiot. If your pic is anything to go by - you're no fatty!!
  • mrsswisspea
    mrsswisspea Posts: 51 Member
    I find running with my husband really demotivating. He's really encouraging, but he's just faster than me, and it often leaves me feeling like you. I also find that I run worse when I run with him. I don't know if it's self-defeating thinking, but I hardly ever run with him anymore.

    Some days, running feels like there is a wind behind you, pushing you to get faster, better, stronger. Other days, it feels like you have to push through a cloud of weight to just move a few steps. Don't let today beat you.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    1. The guy was just rude and ignorant. Tbh you are just a little overweight and doing something about it. I wouldnt even waste time thinking about him, what he said has no merit, brush it off.
    2. Stop doubting yourself, theres nothing wrong with you.
    3. People have off days, just notch it down to experience and when you feel well, then try again tomorrow or the day after. Maybe you should try it as an experiment, so in your head you go out intending to run 1k, then 2k, then keep adding distance each day. The point in not to run 5k but monitor from where you were until you find your limit. Gradually build back and you will be on track. Make sure you are properly hydrated and fueled.
    4. Anger waste of time, turn it into a positive. Quitting is out of proportion. If you cant solve it then go and see your Dr, but at the moment notch it down to experience and be patient.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    Don't feel like a failure. I think everyone who loves running still has those days where it just doesn't feel great, maybe your tired and didn't realize it or for whatever unknown reason just never found your grove that day. It happens. I have had days where I feel awesome walking out the door and like this should be the best run ever, and then I start and it just sucks, for no specific reason but it just does.

    It sounds like you log most of your miles on the treadmill and were outside this time. That is a big change, you can't expect to perform the same way. Maybe it was just that the ground does not help you along as well as the treadmill, maybe you weren't pacing yourself as well without the treadmill, maybe you weren't pacing yourself well because you were thinking of you partner and his speed. Don't know about your area but I know its been warming up where I live lately, that can make a big difference too. Maybe it was all of these thing....or none of these things....

    If you want to run then run. I don't see any reason to quit. Maybe next time you are out you will have an awesome run and think back on today and wonder why you even wanted to quit. Who knows?

    As for that guy, well he is an *kitten*. I have had people yell rude things at me while I am running, not sure if they just think it's funny or if they really mean it. Reguardless, I find its best to just think "*kitten* you" and carry on. What the heck does he know about you, or running, or anything for that matter. I think he pretty much just proved he is the most ignorant jerkwad ever.

  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    That guy was a douche.
  • CookieNom
    CookieNom Posts: 19 Member
    Thank you all :)
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    jennifer_417 wrote: »
    That guy was a douche.

    This right here ^^

    Don't let a douche ruin your day.
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