Too embarrassed to run....?
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heathergarland2013 wrote: »I feel so silly when I try to get out and run down my road. First off, im overweight so I know that anyone who sees me running is thinking "she needs to be running!" And when I try to jog or run, I feel like i run like a hippopotamus! Lol i just dont have super great coordination when it comes to running and I can't run for long distances so I feel embarrassed when I only run for 30 seconds and then stop because the people I see running are those who run for ever and never walk. All in all, im embarrassed to run. Is there anyone else who has been through or going through the same thing? I would love to know how you dealt or are dealing with it (: Please no negative comments! Thanks!! (:
When I first started running (less than a year ago) I felt the same. I could only jog for 30 seconds before needing 1 minute and 30 seconds walking to recover. I was so big that I had to wear men's tops (they didn't do women's running tops big enough). I know exactly how you are feeling. I felt such relief when the park was empty and genuine fear that I'd be mocked if there were lots of people there.
I'd run (and still do) in a park where there are trees both sides of the path so I didn't feel so exposed.
Little by little 5 seconds would be added to my running time and 5 seconds would be taken off the walking time until one day I ran for 14 minutes solid without walking. Now the only way is up - 10 months after my first attempt at running I signed up for my first 10km charity run. The run was on Tuesday and I did it, raising lots of money for a children's charity along the way.
I've turned into one of those people you see who runs forever and doesn't walk and I'd like to assure you that whenever I see someone else running regardless of size, shape, how much they're sweating, how red they've turned, the only thing I'm ever thinking is "Great job!" (or occasional kit envy if they have great clothes/running shoes!).
There is a possibility that there are unkind people out there who will judge us and/or mock us but if they have nothing better to do with their lives, they deserve our pity. You're doing great, it will take time but you'll get to the point where you're running without stopping and you'll genuinely enjoy your running - stick with it!0 -
So you run for 30 seconds and then walk. Maybe tomorrow you run for 31 seconds and then walk. And so on.
If some clown feels the need to comment negatively on your running, it says more about him than about you, anyway.0 -
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I was like this, exactly like this. Until one day I just thought *kitten* it, why should I care what anybody thinks of me this is my body, my health and my life not theirs. At first I began running at night when it was dark just to get into the swing on things and help with my anxiety, I was struggling to complete even half a mile. Now I've reached 3, and I have fallen in love with running! It has so many benefits, I'm so much happier, more confident, I look better and I actually enjoy it. Just hold your head high, put on your running trainers, headphones in, music on and RUN.0
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DeguelloTex wrote: »So you run for 30 seconds and then walk. Maybe tomorrow you run for 31 seconds and then walk. And so on.
If some clown feels the need to comment negatively on your running, it says more about him than about you, anyway.
This.
The majority of people who do some type of exercise, whether it be running, cycling or walking, are supportive of others. They're happy you're out there moving!
If I criticize anything, it's clothing choice, lol. Some people just don't have an eye for what colors/patterns go together.
~Lyssa
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I started walk/running in my neighborhood at well over 200 pounds. At night so fewer people would see me.
That was two years, four half marathons and a marathon ago. Now when I'm in my gear in the mornings I have neighbors I've never talked to before pulling over to tell me how amazing my transformation is and how I have inspired them. It take some guts to start, but I promise it's worth it!
(PS Compression pants are your friend. They make running more comfortable and make me a little more confident.)0 -
Google the YouTube video of Pheobe (from Friends) running.
If she can do it.....you can do it.0 -
heathergarland2013 wrote: »I feel so silly when I try to get out and run down my road. First off, im overweight so I know that anyone who sees me running is thinking "she needs to be running!" And when I try to jog or run, I feel like i run like a hippopotamus! Lol i just dont have super great coordination when it comes to running and I can't run for long distances so I feel embarrassed when I only run for 30 seconds and then stop because the people I see running are those who run for ever and never walk. All in all, im embarrassed to run. Is there anyone else who has been through or going through the same thing? I would love to know how you dealt or are dealing with it (: Please no negative comments! Thanks!! (:
Why do you want to run? Do you have a goal in mind like a race? Think about that.
If you don't have a particular reason to run right now then maybe start with just fast walking or explore other exercises.
I've always felt stupid running so I do other exercises.
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I did the c25k running program a while back, and I felt really awkward my first couple runs too because I thought everyone would be staring at me and judging me for only running in short 30 second spurts and then walking. But I quickly realized that's not the case, and a lot of people in my neighborhood were interval running too, and I just never noticed it before! Even the most seasoned runners will interval run every now and then (my guess is to work on speed and endurance, but I could be wrong).
Just do what you can do right now, and build up to longer runs. Eventually you could be doing a 5k, 10k, or even someday a marathon. You never know! But everyone starts out small, so don't worry and just do what you can.
Good luck and have fun
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I see by your profile that you are 19, so I understand that you worry about what people think. My daughter is 18 and she is the same way. As you get older, you'll realize it doesn't matter that much. Once I hit 40, I decided I didn't give a crap what people thought. And besides that, as others have said, you really don't know what they're thinking.
I am 50 now and still have some weight to go til goal. Last summer I was running through my neighborhood and some guys driving buy called me a MILF. Some women might've been offended, but I'll take it.
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I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said, except perhaps this:
I wear noise cancellation headphones and blast music when I go for walks so I can pretend that I'm the only one who exists. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, and when it doesn't I find myself repeating this. It's become a mantra of sorts, and it often helps.
You're not running for anyone but yourself. Yes, there will be people who will probably think snide or condescending thoughts about you, but that's not your problem. And y'know? At this time next year, you'll be so absolutely amazing at running that whoever judged you will either feel incredibly awed or incredibly stupid. IF they even remember you, that is.
It's also good to keep in mind that everyone starts somewhere. The person running a 5-minute mile certainly didn't start out that way!
Stay strong, don't quit, and best of luck!0 -
It helps me to remember that EVERYONE (really everyone) has insecurities. Maybe someone else is an amazing runner but feels inadequate about finances or unsure about her relationships. Everyone struggles with something. I admire when people face those fears and that's exactly what you're doing when you get out there.
You got this.0 -
juliebowman4 wrote: »Google the YouTube video of Pheobe (from Friends) running.
If she can do it.....you can do it.
this is what I was going to say too. I walk after I can't run anymore and it must have looked to some when I started that I was doing some sort of perverse HIIT .. but all I was really doing was trying to get from a-b in the quickest time possible
Don't worry about what others think or do... do you and you'll be fine
good luck and keep with it
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TheSunshineQueen wrote: »I have nothing to say that hasn't already been said, except perhaps this:
I wear noise cancellation headphones and blast music when I go for walks so I can pretend that I'm the only one who exists. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, and when it doesn't I find myself repeating this. It's become a mantra of sorts, and it often helps.
You're not running for anyone but yourself. Yes, there will be people who will probably think snide or condescending thoughts about you, but that's not your problem. And y'know? At this time next year, you'll be so absolutely amazing at running that whoever judged you will either feel incredibly awed or incredibly stupid. IF they even remember you, that is.
It's also good to keep in mind that everyone starts somewhere. The person running a 5-minute mile certainly didn't start out that way!
Stay strong, don't quit, and best of luck!
That is a very dangerous thing to do. When I'm out on my bicycle, I see all kinds of people step out in front of me because they are distracted and they don't hear me. Unless you are on a path that is limited to pedestrians, you really need to be able to hear the traffic that is around you or you could be walking into danger that you didn't realize was there.0 -
Consider finding a track-your local high school probably has one. I started out that way and it offers several benefits, a modicum of privacy being one of them0
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What is an MILF?0
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Everyone is new at something at some point in their life. Everyone feels weird or awkward when trying something new. I used to feel the same way when I would run outside but, hey, screw them! You're getting active and being healthy. And honestly I doubt anyone is even thinking anything when you run past. And so what if you can't run a long distance without stopping and bending over to catch your breath? You'll get there. It's just going to take baby steps and it's probably better to start off with faster walking and then slooowly move up to jogging. You can really hurt your knees and burn yourself out.0
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part of your weight loss journey is going to be thinking less harshly of yourself and others. It isn't fair to others to think they would be judging you with cruelty. The truth is that when I see people with weight issues exercising I think good thoughts for and about them.0
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heathergarland2013 wrote: »I feel so silly when I try to get out and run down my road. First off, im overweight so I know that anyone who sees me running is thinking "she needs to be running!"
Concentrate more on you and your goals. If it makes you feel any better, most people see you and likely don't give you a second thought. Or they might think "Man, if that girl is running, I should really get out my shoes and get out there".heathergarland2013 wrote: »And when I try to jog or run, I feel like i run like a hippopotamus! Lol i just dont have super great coordination when it comes to running and I can't run for long distances so I feel embarrassed when I only run for 30 seconds and then stop because the people I see running are those who run for ever and never walk.
No, you are seeing the people who used to run like a hippopotamus and who stuck with it long enough to be people can run forever. I went from zero running to completing a marathon using the run/walk method. It's a wonderful way to build in breaks, build confidence and also build endurance to where you can run forever. Soon enough you'll be running longer and longer. The people who can run distance didn't get there by magic, they got there by putting in the work.heathergarland2013 wrote: »All in all, im embarrassed to run. Is there anyone else who has been through or going through the same thing? I would love to know how you dealt or are dealing with it (: Please no negative comments! Thanks!! (:
I move my focus inward and concentrate on how each step is bringing me more towards my goals. Other people can go about their business -- I'm working on ME. The hardest two steps of a run are the first two, everything else is pure winning.
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You need to not care so much what strangers think. They are not in your shoes and don't know your struggle. Neither does their opinion matter in your life. Don't let these thoughts about strangers and what they think, deter you from what you need to do for you.0
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Are you, like 12?
No?
Good.
'Cause no one over the age of 12 should give one iota of one sh|t what *anyone* thinks about 'em, right?0 -
Even for fit people, interval training - that is, run/walk/run/walk - is used as a technique to improve speed. Besides, C25K is increasingly popular and getting better and better known, so even if the odd non-runner looks askance, experienced runners won't think twice about a person doing a run/walk. And you should feel smug and superior to non-runners because you are *doing something* about your lack of fitness, while they are not.
Incidentally I had a family cheer me on randomly once when I was wheezing while running
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As a fellow bigger girl who has just started running outside I can relate. You can feel very self conscious at first but I have put this down to the newness of it all, just like when learning to drive or being the new girl at a new job. On my run this morning as the rain pelted down and the wind was battering me I decided everyone would think "she is bad *kitten* being out in this" put my hood up, put my ear phones in and got into the zone, which was running a minute, walking a minute intervals Now they may not have thought that but a PMA will do wonders for getting you past that awkward phase. With other runners I keep my head down and focus on my running/ walking. I don't know their story, they could have started out bigger than me, have been through physio and getting back out there, or be like my friend Lauren who crushes marathons and doesn't break a sweat but who also doesn't have a mean thought for anyone and just thinks there's a fellow runner.
Be proud of yourself for getting out there, one day we will both look back at these initial runs and realise us running outside was a much bigger deal to us than to anyone who passes by us x0 -
heathergarland2013 wrote: »I feel so silly when I try to get out and run down my road. First off, im overweight so I know that anyone who sees me running is thinking "she needs to be running!" And when I try to jog or run, I feel like i run like a hippopotamus! Lol i just dont have super great coordination when it comes to running and I can't run for long distances so I feel embarrassed when I only run for 30 seconds and then stop because the people I see running are those who run for ever and never walk. All in all, im embarrassed to run. Is there anyone else who has been through or going through the same thing? I would love to know how you dealt or are dealing with it (: Please no negative comments! Thanks!! (:
You are assuming as you do not know what others think.
You seem to have a self-destructive view on your own body.
Realize that people are very self-centered.
You worry about how other think you look- They don't really care.
Because while you are worrying about your own insecurities, they are too busy worrying about their own, or worrying about their own personal life.
What you need to work on is your self-image, self-acceptance, and unconditional self-love.
Losing weight is about more than science. It's psychology.
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Girl, every runner had to start somewhere. I ran my first half-marathon at 208lbs, and I walked A LOT of it! Even 40lbs lighter, I do my running in intervals. I got a watch with an interval timer, and I set it for 2 minutes to run, 1 minute to walk, and off I go! You can set it for 30 seconds to run and 2 minutes to walk...however you want. The best thing is that you've started and you're trying. If you can walk, you can run. GET IT, GIRL!0
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Who cares what people think? Just do it!0
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I recommend the C25K program like most of the others here. I did it two years ago. I was probably 70-80 lbs heavier than I am now. I live near a lake and would run when I knew no one would see me. One day I finally got stuck where I was behind a couple walking their dog and I knew the timer to run was about to start. I just sucked it up and went for it. Only the dog had a reaction. Now I run around the same lake, into other parts of my subdivision, including on the sidewalk on the main road. It doesn't matter that people see me anymore. Ive never heard one bad comment and have gotten some positive ones - even a head nod or two by some fit young men running by (and as a 51 year old woman, this is nice). I see some large men and women out there as well and just think good thoughts for them. Do it for yourself and enjoy it, you may be surprised with your abilities after a while and how good it makes you feel.0
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