Going for a run is scary advice?

Why do you want to go for a run? Do you enjoy running?
What scares you about other people when running?

You gotta do what you gotta do for yourself.

I used to be just like you. Until I realized that nobody cares. Honestly nobody gives a crap If a girl is running. They are so wrapped up in their own world that they don't even notice.
A few weeks ago a guy slipped off a treadmill at the gym. People where so busy looking at themselves in the mirror and playing on their phones that nobody even noticed until he yelled for help.
My point is, people have their own stuff that they are worried about and won't even notice you.
They could care less that someone is running because they are wrapped up in their own lives.

You know what helped me? Realizing that the people who do see me have no idea how long I have been running.
I ran through a pack of high school kids this morning on my run, and they don't know if I have been running for .25 miles or 5. FYI, I'm a really slow runner.

Also, keep in mind. If some one makes fun of you for bettering yourself, they're the [explicit] that has to live with themselves. I'm pretty sure those highschool kids were making fun of me, but I ran 2 miles this morning, and that's a personal best. That feels way better than strangers making fun of me feels worse.

I actually like the advice about the treadmill. I have one, and unlike others, love to run on it. I have a tv set up with a DVD player and watch movies while running and walking. I was very self-conscious when I first started out with exercise, and knowing myself, would not have done so in public. I lost a lot of weight using the treadmill (and a step aerobics DVD), and was finally able to get the courage to do so in public.

People do pay attention to others, either more so than we think, or more so than we want to believe. I don't think that should stop people from doing what they want, but it can hinder those of us who feel more anxious about it than others.

I used to feel like that, I still do sometimes but most people don't notice you I promise. You just need to keep going and if you like running, you will get past it and stop noticing so much. Add me if you like, I'm still trying to improve and motivate myself to do more public and team sports, it's not easy!

Face it as a test.

"I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

It's just running, not a Gom jabbār.

i felt like that so i got up early and did it in the morning when no one was awake.

i've also found most people don't really care one way or the other.

I used to feel the same way. I run so slow and look a hot mess. But I'm doing it for me. I know it's not easy to get over that fear but challenge yourself to go do it and you'll find it is not as scary as it feels in your mind. Ask yourself what's the worst that could happen and how could you deal with it. Good luck!

EvgeniZyntx wrote: »

(My thought process when I'm driving and see someone running, even when I'm feeling judgy ...)

"Look at that woman running in the rain, that's crazy..."

"Oh look a squirrel..."

"How many more hours till I can go home?"

"I hate this song..."

I guess what I mean is that people may NOTICE you, but only fleetingly. And then they go on with their little life and forget all about you.

What did you think of the last person you saw running? Not much? EXACTLY. And that's what people think of you, too.

I did not read all the posts, but running in front of my neighbors was horrifying at first and then this quickly went a way. I got dialed into my thing and all that faded.

When I took to running on the streets around my neighborhood, these poeple do not know me or could have cared less. I have not been honked at or whistled at or anything, people see you in running gear and only look because they wish they were doing it to.

Trust me this is all in your head.

edited to add: I run the rain, and people still look, I get caught singing to my music and people still look.. I have even been caught singing out loud, and I really just don't care. It is me and road and nothing else matters.

girlinahat wrote: »

is it so bad if people pay attention to you as you run by? I run early, mostly because that fits with my schedule and levels of motivation, but also because I am less awake, and less likely to have to negotiate people as I run. But I mostly meet other runners, dog walkers and just walkers. This morning we all said hi to each other in passing, and you know what that made me feel? Happy. It made me smile that I could smile at another person, before 7am, and hopefully make the other person smile.

Having said that I’ve noticed the people who say hi are elderly walkers and runners, and other women never even make eye contact. But it kind of makes my day acknowledging a stranger. I doubt they think anything of me apart from ‘oh, she said Hi and smiled at me’. Try it.

I like this. I never used to say hi to/acknowledge others when running -- nor did they say hi to me. But over the past 2 years I've been running with my dad whenever I visit my parents (he lives in Southern Washington in an area with lots of trails) and he is obsessive about saying hi to anyone who passes as basic politeness. So I picked up the habit and at least acknowledge and smile at people I pass, and they usually do the same, especially the other runners. It always makes me feel good.

I suck at running right now. I just started a six-month training plan for a marathon. I am technically labelled as obese although I am mostly healthy. I had the same problem as you, worried about what others think. You know what though? Others don't have to live in my body. They don't have to get up in the morning and squeeze into my pants. I made a decision one day to just do it. If someone sees me and they make fun of me, that says more about who they are as a person than it does about how I am as a runner. Get out of your comfort zone. I love being outside and attempting to run. I ran my fastest 3 miles the other day at 43:07. Others could do six miles in that time. Whoopty Do. This was good for me and I am proud of it. Others may see you trying and be inspired. Get out there for you, because it's what you want. Screw what people think when they see you!