Are you a new runner nervous about being seen outside?

[Irish-John]

Fear not - most of us here on the lofty hights of being a bit longer in the running shoes than you (😉) felt just the same so, like the running itself, "if we were able to do it, so can you"

However, if you still are a bit shy - I came up with an idea a couple of weeks ago that may help you. (I have a couple of medals in a drawer somewhere for "Bravery" but I was dying a thousand deaths my first few weeks running if anyone saw me so it really is an internal thing and may anyone who is who is ignorant to a runner die of fat-laden,lung-ossified, chartreuse-veined Nonrunners Ignoranti Syndrome 😂 )

Anyway - considering that anyone who sees you actually has no clue how far you have run on your route, or how far you are going to run on your route....

Get a tee-shirt made that says something like "Sahara Desert Death Race 2013 ". And keep in mind that we really ARE running in a most impressive way given our personal -

circumstances/handicaps/environments/cultures/genetics (and that's a biggie - Mo Farrah works damn hard, but also was born with the potential to run fast and long remember 🤔 ).

Being a Runner you are awesome already, make no mistake - and I bet that you will quickly realise that "outside" and won't need the tee shirt for too long

Wishing you all the many happy miles us "could never run" lot enjoy - they are out there awaiting you also ☺

[littlerua]

Awww from an Irish also that’s a great post 🇮🇪 the bit about no one knowing what point you are at is brilliant!!! I will hold that though when I see an “athlete “ coming towards me and the natural instinct is to speed up and the gasp from the exertion that I really don’t have when they have passed😂😂

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to littlerua]

Thank you and I venture to assume you also are a Gael and if so, going by your forum name, either/and/or possessed of a surname starting with R or O, red haired, labour party stalwart and/or former Spetsnaz residing in Phoenix Park 😁

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

I was definitely one of those Irish-John, but I just decided that anyone can look and laugh if they like and I’d be fine with it, because this was going to be all for me! It worked and I’ve never seen one snigger, even running through groups of high school kids on their way to school! I was definitely convinced it was going to happen before going out, so braced myself with the don’t care I’m out there and every time that I’ve done it has been a revelation! People don’t care and if they do it’s probably more admiration than chuckles! Either way, I still don’t care! I like that a lot! Thanks for the encouragement too! ❤️

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

I'm glad you had such a positive time F450 For me it was so far outside my previous worlview and my place in it that I didn't really know how I felt

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I admire you and for sharing! I could have done with a tshirt, I can tell you! Just didn’t know about that one! It can help others as it’s a fabulous idea!❤️

[Fabulous450 Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I admire you and for sharing! I could have done with a tshirt, I can tell you! Just didn’t know about that one! It can help others as it’s a fabulous idea!❤️

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

You must’ve read my mind Irish-John ...I thought that today while I was out in the midday sun, sweating like a good ‘un....anyone who I pass has no idea how far I’ve already run so there 😜.....great post....I think though that, even though we don’t always like to be seen, more so in the early days, that we are also seen as an inspiration too, thats what kept me going a lot of the time

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

There's a thought! Wouldn't it be a nice thing to have inspired someone to get off the couch

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

I think we do..even if it’s 1 in 50....I’m happy with that..I’m sure it happens x

[telford_mike Graduate]

“Sahara Desert Death Race 2013” actually laughed out loud at that 😂😂

[Tartiflette Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

I am so getting one of those printed 😂

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Me too

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

I've often thought we of the Forum should have our own world-wide tee shirt logo

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Put in brackets ( Couch to Oasis) 😂

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Your wish is my command...

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

Excellent!

[Tartiflette Graduate]

Whenever I drive past a jogger or our local C25K group doing their thing I always get the urge to beep, cheer, wave & salute them. But I reckon that'd just freak them out from a passing stranger! So I just smile, comment to my kids how amazing those folk are & quietly applaud them 👏🏻🙌🏼

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Tartiflette]

Yep, runners always get a thumbs up from me nowadays

[Jay66UK Graduate]

My only fear was bus stop queues. Apart from that I feel like I’ve got a cloak of invisibility when I run.

But since graduating even bus stop queues hold no fear. But I still want that tshirt!

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Jay66UK]

You absolutely earned a tee shirt

[Ang62 Graduate]

I did feel like that for the first few runs but then I decided at age 62 I really don’t care what others think. I’m doing it for me and to be fit and healthy for when my first grandchild is born in November this year! 😊

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Ang62]

Im more into blood and Justice myself - I have confronted a few ignoratii over the years who were really getting off a bit too viciously on trying to shame runners. I think I would make a Bad Grandpa

[telford_mike Graduate]

I have to get the train back up to our village after a run down in the valley. So far worn shorts only twice, but will wear them again tomorrow for W7R3. Still feel very self-conscious.

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

I am NEVER seen is shorts in the UK - only while backpacking 20 years ago because I was reasonably sure no-one I’d met would see me again or knew me before... until we bumped into our travel agent in Hong Kong YHA 😂.

I’m definitely getting that desert race T-shirt...

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

I still have two coins from HK someone gave me when I was a kid over 50 years ago. I never made it there, came very close a few times. One of these days though...🙂

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

I draw the line at Shorts personally, I never feel dressed in them. Silly with tps breaking 100f here, but then I never was accused of being bright

[telford_mike Graduate]

Wore the shorts again for W7R3. It was fine whilst running, but I'd promised Mrs t_m lunch in a local cafe. It was nice but I couldn’t wait to get ou!

[Hidden]

Running has changed my attitude to my physical appearance. I have never been a shy person but jogging about did fill me with trepidation. So I found a quiet place to run and earned my winged boots. Over time I have grown in confidence and don’t mind running in busy places, indeed I am proud when people say they saw me out running😊

I am now completely (well almost completely!) comfortable with being seen sweaty and snotty, red of face and out of puff. It’s the stuff that running is made of👍

I have never had any negative comments from anyone; i smile and wave and generally get positivity back. Some people struggle to crack their face but I guess they have problems 😠

Today I ran on the treadmill for the second time (I am in Vietnam and it is HOT) and was quite anxious about hanging out with the gym bunnies but they were busy looking at their reflections 😂

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Hidden]

😂 I never thought that someone might say they’d seen me out running - wow, yes that would feel wonderful - not bad - thanks for that helenwheels 👍

[Hidden in reply to Equi-geek]

Our village pub landlord always comments on me “jogging”. Which is factually correct but less proud making!

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Even ‘jogging’ would be a complement for me - I might draw the line at ‘shuffle’ 😂

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've proudly reached the stage of 'controlled flailing and lurching' on my runs

[Hidden in reply to Irish-John]

Yes but I am wearing shorts with pride (and dodgy legs). So I deserve a medal (or maybe the people around me need the award)

[mrrun Graduate]

I’d like to stick “The Finisher” on the back of my shirt for the curious types. Finished what? When?

[Irish-John Graduate in reply to mrrun]

Love it 😂😂😂😂😂😂