Too shy to run...

Find a running programme that starts slowly in jog/walk segments. I always felt conscious of what ppl thought when I was doing to walk segment, but then i'd remind myself i'm doing something about my fitness instead of driving along eating burgers and passing judgement on others.

sure i've had rude comments. i used to run with music so i wouldn't hear them, but for safety i now run unplugged! Oh, and a "come on then if you can keep up" as i run off makes me feel better!

You can't live your life by caring what strangers think about you. If you don't feel comfortable running, maybe you can do a mixture of walking, jogging, and running. I'm no runner, but I do a combination of walking and jogging. I've had people pass me by and look back as if I'm suppose to keep up with them! NOT!! :noway: I work at a pace that I'm comfortable with and I think you should do the same.

Good luck!

I was driving down the road and saw a 400ish pound person jogging down the street. my first thought wasn't oh wow they are big, it was "wow i am very impressed and encouraged by there faithfulness to getting in shape". the moral of the story is that not everyone will have negative judgements, don't get me wrong some people are rude (that's just their nature). when i run i sometimes get embarassed about my fat jiggling when i run, but then i remember that everyone elses opinion out there doesn't matter. i say get out there and be proud of yourself for doing what is healthy and fun. One day you will look back and be thankful that you did start running because you will see how far you really came. please also note that you are your worst critic, sometimes what others think of you is way better than how you judge yourself. ease up on yourself and know that you are good looking, even if you need to put sticky notes on your mirror and read "i am good looking" every morning...DO IT!

best of luck to you, get out there and trample some road!

I use to have an issue with this also..it may sound a little wierd but hey it's what I did. I use to run in the cemetery ..there usually isn't many people there (well alive atleast) ...after a while I just didn't care anymore what people thought and started running around my neighboorhood.

I haven't read through the responses yet but check out the Couch to 5k App. It eases you into running! I was never a runner and started this program 8 weeks ago and am almost finished. I had to take a slight heat related break but back on track.

For me it helps that I don't wear glasses when I jog, so it's kind of the mentality I can't see them so they can't see me. Everyone I've run across while jogging/walking/running always smiles at me. I think that typically if you are in an area with a lot of people who get out and are active that they'll be really supportive and give you smiles or say hi.

I've never been good at running or jogging, so every time I start back up I always have to take a break after a block or two. The furthest I can go is two miles straight at my best. At first I was really worried that people would judge me since I'm really overweight and awkwardly tall (240 and 5'11") and I get SUPER red in the face even if I'm hydrated, but all I got were nice smiles.

Maybe avoid busy streets as you might get guys who will honk at you. I think that sort of thing just always happens to people since guys always wanna show off.

I really want to start running but I think getting over my shyness is going to be difficult. I would rather run outside than at the gym since a) It's free and b) scenery and several other reasons. Yet as I have said I have been putting it off because I am too shy! Running with a friend isn't possible since they don't enjoy it and I don't have a car to drive to the middle of nowhere and do it. I'm paranoid people will look at me. It's been a long time since I ran and I doubt I could do 2 minutes now without needing a break and I'm nervous of being judged as weak and unfit.

I know all runners out there started somewhere, and hoping someone can advise me how they got over being shy and just got up, out and did it. Any advice for just not caring what others think?

I don't run. But there are plenty of runners in my neighborhood. So as a 'watcher' of runners, here is what I can tell you:

1. I would not be able to identify any of the runners if I ran into them at the supermarket., unless they were dressed in their running clothes and running (and wearing a tag that said " I run on XXXX street"
2. I cannot tell if they are good runners. No idea if their form is good or bad. None.
3. I cannot tell how far they've run already, or how fast they have run. Are they in the last mile of a half-marathon? Are they doing a sprint, jog, sprint, jog type of training? Did they just start running? Are they in cool-down mode? I can't tell.
4. I don't just stand there and watch. I see them when I am out and about -- so my attention is really on something else -- my current task: driving my car, weeding my garden, getting the mail. Total time watching any one runner: 2 seconds at best. My major thought - trying not to run them off the road as I pass in my car.

So, here's my 2-cents: RUN. No-one is going to judge you, no one is going to recognize you, no one is paying the slightest attention to how well or how far you are going. It truly is just you and your thoughts, so do it!

[For me, I find that I am more likely to find success if I just get out of my own way.]

Thanks for all the answers and they make a lot of sense, it's just trying to get that into my head. I'm going to ask around and see if there are any places to run that are more secluded than the ones I know about. Failing that I just need to just get up and do it. Hopefully with every run completed, my confidence will grow.... I just have to start believing what I just said >.>

OK, stepping in for the "girl rules" here. Please do not run someplace secluded by yourself! We live near a running trail, I will not run on it by myself except on Saturdays when there are a lot of people out. It is very unnerving to meet someone on a secluded trail when you are by yourself. I choose to run in the morning when it is cooler, but I run down a paved side street with lots of houses. I had not been losing any weight, so last week I started running for the first time in 2 years. Since I am nursing an injury, I alternate between walking and running. I like it because when I run, I can actually go a short way with longer strides and feel like I am actually running. I have been very surprised how quickly I am getting into shape- I am one week in adding the running and feel great. Several neighbors have commented they have seen me out running. Every comment has been positive and supportive. JUST DO IT!

I used to feel the same way until I joined a running group with a friend that was in the same boat I was and never had ran. Ryn clubs have all levels of runners/walkers. I just completed my second half marathon at a run/walk pace. I am not sure i'll ever be able to run straight without stopping but enjoy the run now even if I am stopping every half mile! I have also met someone wonderful new friends and one incredible guy through the run club....best decision I ever made!

Runners are friendly people, too, which helps. You see a fluorescent figure coming towards you, and you're always going to exchange smiles or a little wave as you run past. It's surprisingly social even if you're running alone.

This is SO true! I run at the same place at almost the same time a few days a week and I love the simple exchanges with the people I have come to see often. Or even the new people. It's great!

Don't worry about people staring at all! Besides, no one really looks "cool" exercising. They just think they do

Love it!

I'm the same. I really need to up my workouts so I don't plateau and want to run. I've started the C25K on the treadmill at the gym but I'd love to just run whenever and wherever. Scared of getting laughed at!

Having said that, I've watched a guy walking every day for about two years. When I first noticed him, he was a BIG guy. Every time I see him, he's plugging away at his walk (a fast one) and I think Good for you mate!

These days he's almost unrecognisable -- he kept on with his daily walks and now he looks amazing. About a third of his former self! I want to get out of the car and give him a hug for doing so well, but he'd prob think that was creepy!!

I want his motivation! I need to get out there don't I? :blushing:

Thank you all for being so motivating! I have decided I am going right now to do a run and stop making excuses. Rather than plan and put it off I really need to get up and do it now! If I'm not back in 20 minutes, I did it >=3 thanks again!

I hope you did get out there and I hope you feel great for doing it. I'm an interval runner. I never run for more than a few minutes at a time so at any time during my "run" I might be seen walking.

I can tell you from my personal experience that whenever I see someone out there on the side of the road running, walking, shuffling or whatever, the only thought that goes through my head is "Way to go!" I applaud everyone who is out there getting it done, no matter what they are doing and how they go about it.

I hope you are out there running as I type this!! I began running at 225 pounds in a group setting of mainly fit people. I was really shy about my running and hung out in the back of the pack to make sure no one was staring at me. Now I could care less I still weigh over 200 pounds but I go out there and I RUN!! Why?? Because I love to run and I am doing it for MY health not for those fit people.

Try listening to music. As for "being judged as weak and unfit" they will not notice, especially if you do a work out like the one on http://www.womenshealthmag.com called "Running for Beginners" Read more at Women's Health: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/weight-loss-program-walk-run#ixzz20niXrhar. It gives you a day by day program that has you walking and running, not just running the whole time. Plus no one is going to look at you funny if your just walking around the neighborhood.

It's nice because you have a goal in mind as to what you want to achieve, if you can not do it exactly do as much as you can just keep the time the same. I use it just for the running part in place of the "Tone Zone" and "Rock Solid Abs" I do videos or WII or the elliptical at home, add an extra walking day, or just take a rest day.

For Week One - Monday (I ignore the days and weeks but do them in order until I am able to complete them) is to Walk 10 minutes. Next 6 minutes alternate running 1 minute and walking 1 minute. Walk 4 minutes. Stretch, total of 20 minutes.

Looks like this:
Walk 10
Run 1
Walk 1
Run 1
Walk 1
Run 1
Walk 1
Stretch 4

If that is too much then just do one set of alternating and the rest of the 4 min remaining as walking. Then don't move on to Wednesday set until you have completed Monday. You can stay on Monday Day 1 for as long as it take you to get it done.

You can always wave at neighbors as you see them, they usually wave back with a smile, no judgments. The only thing they are thinking is I wish I was that motivated to get out of the house, or wish she'd let me know when she's going out again I'd like to join in.

I'm also in the same shoes as you! I'm super shy since I know a lot of people in the neighborhood. We're all pretty close knit. I've seen way too many people from my middle school to make me feel queasy. But also because my friend and I were followed by this creepy pervert around where I really wish to run. It had me scared and it made me wonder what the hell would I do if I'm running out by myself?

Ah well, I just need to push myself through my fears (and my morning grogginess).