People seeing me running :(

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Replies

  • tinamina78
    tinamina78 Posts: 241 Member
    It made me really happy to read this post, only because I thought I was the only person who has this problem! I have a very nice treadmill at home that I run on, but on nice days, I would love to go for a run outside but I get so paranoid that people are laughing at me and my red-faced, sweaty, slow plod of a run. Thanks for putting it out there and helping me realize that it's mostly in my head. You've inspired me to run outside today :)
  • Lesley2800
    Lesley2800 Posts: 92
    I know what you mean! I started the C25K and I'm on week 2, but I'm doing it on my treadmill until I jiggle a little less :) But I'm with everyone else...I don't think anyone could judge another person who is out there working hard to get healthy. I go for walks on my neighborhood and everyone smiles and says hi.
  • Suepop1994
    Suepop1994 Posts: 38
    people wont judge you for running, not even badly. fellow runners will think it's awesome that you're running and non-runners will be jealous and sigh whistfully and think "i wish i could run". the only one judging you is you. so stop that right now. I mean it. lol you don't need to be giving yourself that kind of crap. be proud of what you accomplish. it's more than most people will. and be doubly proud of thinking you do it badly and to still do it anyway. WELL DONE i say. I applaud you for running. ( i run too and i felt as you did but i've only ever gotten positive feedback from strangers and friends and I have decided that as long as i keep on running who cares what i look like. I love it and that's all that matters)

    Totally agree! I too, am a new runner, I was concerned for like three minutes at my poor posture and my breathing then I realized I am a new runner and with anything new comes the learning curve. I try to stay ahead of it bc I am so competitive but I also know no one is perfect right out of the gate. Good luck and good running.
  • jojo52610
    jojo52610 Posts: 692 Member
    Well I've been running for 3 - 4 years and when I started I could barely do 1 block. I too would go out at night so no one would see me one night running out of my neighborhood my 17 year old daughter and my 13 year old son drove by me with the window of the car open I hear HEY THATS MOM!

    I think OH NO they are going to be embarrased of me - they went around the block and yelled Go Mom! cheering me on . Now my son asks me to run with him as he conditions for school sports.

    So I'm an ugly runner I'm not as fast as most I don't rock really expensive running shoes but every morning I get up and I run and wave to my neighbors as the drive by on their way to work and nod at the other runners in the neighborhood as they run by.

    Oh and I once made my husband follow me in the car to see if I looked Stupid or dorky running (I was nuts :laugh: )
  • mgcotter
    mgcotter Posts: 1
    I agree with everything that's been said to this point. If you're going to run, who cares what anyone else thinks. However, I'm wondering if maybe we've overlooked an important question. Why are you running? Are you preparing for a race or just trying to lose weight? No doubt you'll lose weight if you run but it might not be the weight you were expecting. Be careful when you're first starting out running because if you're not eating correctly, most of the weight you'll lose will be muscle, and I'm guessing that's not what you're after? Remember, muscle burns fat so you'll want to build muscle. Running alone won't necessarily do that so be sure to include strength training in your fitness schedule for optimum fat loss (as opposed to just weight loss). And if you aren't preparing for a marathon or some other race where you need to be efficient at running, walking is better for the beginner as it doesn't stress the joints as much and allows you to ease into a more demanding pace without over training. Just some thoughts to bear in mind as you keep up the good work!
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Wow, what a bunch of great responses! Threads like this make me feel all warm and fuzzy about MFP again...

    To the OP, you know by know that you're not alone but I wanted to add one more story. I read an article a few months ago that said the famous marathoner, Joan Benoit Samuelson (won gold in the 1984 summer olympics), was even shy about running when she first started. When she saw/heard a car coming, she'd stop and pretend that she was looking at flowers or something.

    She got over it and I'm sure you can too!!
  • lizzybethclaire
    lizzybethclaire Posts: 849 Member
    You got out there and did something. That is the important thing.
  • missjelika
    missjelika Posts: 115 Member
    I went for a run/jog/shuffle/crawl today and it was less then amazing however since I am so out of shape even a less than stellar performance tires me out. I had just finished my exercise when I ran into some friends who are fit (one plays sports) and as usual I had my general why are you LOOKING at me go away can't I just run in peace mini freak out in my head...then after I said goodbye I had a thought... really the worse that seeing me could have told them is that:

    1) I run- a good thing
    2) I'm bad at it - a bad thing
    However I bet they could have guessed the second just by looking at me the first one isn't something I would expect anyone to guess so seeing me as a sweaty gross needs a shower mess could really only be a good thing right?

    I'm not sure if this makes sense but I'm trying to get over the stop running and act cool if anyone's coming thing...anyone have any tips for that?

    I used to be the same. i thought I was too fat to be running but then runners who were way fitter than me and running while i was trotting along they would always wave at me and i felt accepted. now I am getting better but nowhere near close to be running all the way.

    "I'm not sure if this makes sense but I'm trying to get over the stop running and act cool if anyone's coming thing...anyone have any tips for that?"
    I am exact opposite. i walk when no one is around and start running as soon as i see a car coming or a fellow runner or biker. this has helped me run more. hhehehehe i guess i am pretending to be running more than i actually am and in teh end actually running more:blushing:
  • capriciousmoon
    capriciousmoon Posts: 1,263 Member
    When I see people running I just think "I wish I could do that". I'm stuck with my bike though, because my lungs can't handle running.
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    I am exact opposite. i walk when no one is around and start running as soon as i see a car coming or a fellow runner or biker. this has helped me run more. hhehehehe i guess i am pretending to be running more than i actually am and in teh end actually running more:blushing:

    I have noticed a trend. On days where I see hot guys out running/walking (which is actually fairly often as I'm in a college town) I have a faster max speed than on days where I only see girls/old men :embarassed:
  • Purecity
    Purecity Posts: 115 Member
    I too do not run for this reason haha.
    So thank you for posting this, the responses have helped me as well! :)
  • LuLuRunner1
    LuLuRunner1 Posts: 329 Member
    [/quote] I'm at my goal weight, but when I run my face still turns as red as a tomato. I used to be afraid that people would stop me and tell me I needed to rest or I might die. Now I don't care. :)
    [/quote]

    I am the same way!!! This is one reason that I prefer to jog outside since I can pretend it's from the sun.
  • meagalayne
    meagalayne Posts: 3,382 Member
    I'm by no means a "seasoned" runner - I just ran my first 1/2 Marathon in Sept and have been running since March of '10 - but I must say that there are so many posts here that I can relate to...

    When I first started running, I was overweight and so embarrassed. I always slowed to walk when I saw people and was incredibly self-conscious.
    Once I improved and started to really ENJOY the sport, I also started feeling really confident about my running and I didn't have a care in the world about who saw me.
    And now, when I see any runner at any stage I think "Hell yes! Keep it up!" - I'm so motivated and inspired. It just makes me wish I had my gear on and was running with them. When I am running and see a fellow runner, I almost always want to throw up my hand and give them a huge high five. It's lame but I feel such a sense of community because of running.

    And when I see a novice runner struggling, or an overweight person that is just starting out, I see myself 18 months ago and think "Damn if that wasn't hard - Don't quit! It's WORTH it! You're kicking some *kitten* and things only get better!" - I know how hard it is to keep on running when it feels like *kitten*, you're tired, and on top of it you think everyone is watching you and judging you, but honestly I feel so proud of all those beginners and "penguins" because they are doing it.

    I always walk away thinking "I hope that s/he is as proud of his/her run as I am." Trust me - You look great! :bigsmile:
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