Running in public- confidence issue

I agree with what people are saying, run early morning or late evening, thats what I did at first, now I run whenever I want, the confidence WILL come, I promise...

Something that came to mind cos' of your post, hope this makes you smile too :laugh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfaztVg4kaA

I just think that if people do think any thing then they are thinking - they wish they were me. You know doing something positive and proactive about my fitness. (Not thinking anything negative).

That has helped me to feel less intimidated by running.

Also when I see people running I always think - good for them. Keep going!!

Me too!
I tend to shout "you've got this!" and other words of encouragement (if I'm outside, etc) because somebody did it to me once - and I'll never forget it!

OP: Most people are envious - and I had to finally get into the IDGAF thought process!

LOL took me about 5 mins to work out what IDGAF meant..... but great thought process! I might get IDGAF as a tattoo ;0)

I had a serious confidence issue with running in public. Honestly though, people don't seem to judge. If they do, that's their problem. Because hey, you're out there doing it, and most people don't! As I read in another reply, when I see someone running, I'm thinking "good for them," regardless of their size. Actually, I especially think "good for him/her" if it is a larger person because I know from experience the courage that it takes to get out there and do that.

As for feeling like you're not going fast enough or looking beat, no one knows how far you've come! Maybe you're slow and look like hell because you're on mile 8 and going for 10! LoL They don't know you!

But for the most part, it's all in our heads. Most people see a runner and don't give it any though.

"It's all about mind over matter. Those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter." In other words, so what if other people judge you when you're running. Most likely, they don't know you so what they think in this case shouldn't have any bearing on your life. All that matters is that YOU know you're doing the right thing for the sake of your health. When I was running in the park a few weeks ago, I actually heard some skinny little teenaged cheerleader having a good giggle with her boyfriend over the "...fat slob (me) trying to run. Who does she think she's kidding?" When I first heard it, I wanted to run straight to my car and have a good cry. Then I remembered where I was a year ago. I could barely walk twenty feet without huffing and puffing...now I was running nearly a third of a mile at a time without stopping. I was not going to let someone else's bad attitude stop me from doing something that was clearly working for me. Most of the time people won't even notice you, but I'm not gonna lie, there ARE a FEW who will judge you and poke fun. But how much do they really matter in the grand scheme? Don't let them take away your happiness. Make them eat their words. Prove them wrong. If you give up, you're only proving them right. Don't let the biggoted opinions of a select few keep you from achieving your goals.

I too had this fear - still I decided that I wanted to run so started and it was very comical to start with .... I would run in not so busy areas, and when I would hear a car, I would suddenly slow down to a walk looking into the fields or houses I walked by and as soon as the car was gone :embarassed: , I would start to run again. I did this for months and tried to run at times it wasn't busy - anyway, eventually, I just stopped caring.

I now run as and when I want. I still wouldn't class myself as a runner as it is a slow jog but nevertheless, I did my first 10k at the beginning of this month and was very proud. So please just persevere you will get out there and stop caring, even if it does take a little bit of time.

Good luck with your running :flowerforyou:

lol I promise you I am not being patronising, but that is quite cute actually - slowing down to a walk and looking into fields or houses until the car had gone by :flowerforyou:

Actually, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who used to do this. LOL :laugh:

Everytime I see a runner, especially a woman, I shout (ok, sometimes in my head) YOU GO GIRL!! I also give them a high five, even if it's only a mental one.

Whenever I see a runner, I think "aww, good for them!" no matter what shape, size, gait, or speed they are going. I must say though, I usually check out their sneakers!

^ this

No one is judging you. And, if it comes down to it, run in a neighborhood, or try to find some trails (in a park or wooded area)

(I once stopped running, looked at the person looking at me in the car - that had slowed down - and mouthed WHAT?! - they promptly flicked their head back to face the road - good.)

HAHAHAHAHAHA! I LOVE this.

I'm struggling with the same anxiety, here, and I haven't even started running yet! Day 1 is June 1st and my plan is to get up crazy-early (5am, most likely) and listen to loud music.