So today I completed my 3rd park run and got a pb - knocking 1 min off previous. This was not intended and came as a complete shock to me. So that was the good bit and getting lots of encouragement during and after the run.
I still struggle with being seen running especially by people I know so it’s a big deal going to local park run and knowing I will probably see people I know. Today one was a Marshall and she was so lovely and full of encouragement just when I needed it. However after the run I bumped into an old (not very likeable) acquaintance who loudly demanded to know had I just run the park run - yes I said. But did you complete the whole course- yes I said. But are you sure you ran the whole way and didn’t walk at all at any point- yes I said. I bid her goodbye and started to cry - she may as well have said to me ‘look at the state of you- there is no way you just did that - I don’t believe you’ . Silly I know but she ruined everything for me 😢
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Slothgoesrunning
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She does sound like a park run demon. I’m sure everybody will tell you to ignore her and her comments. So..... she wasn’t running then? I bet you are now thinking of all the smart retorts.
Congratulations on your parkrun. I was running one too today. Hard work but worth it!!
Thank you. No she wasn’t running - she was there to take her daughter to football. She’s 10 years younger than me and I may have made her question her own fitness. 🤷🏼♀️
Absolutely. Bullies are always looking for someone vulnerable to boost their own fragile ego. Next time, just smile and walk/run on with pride. We are proud of you.
I must admit, I want to run on dark mornings so nobody sees me.
However, if I turn the tables, when I've seen old people, clearly unhealthy people and overweight people running along the streets, it really inspired me to get off my butt and do some exercise.
They are all trying to do something to improve themselves, their health, their fitness, their lives.
They made me feel embarrassed of myself for being a couch potato.
So you know what, I dont know how old you are or what shape you're in, but by getting out there and doing it, even if if you dont realise it, you are inspiring people like me.
Keep getting out there, be seen and proud of what you're achieving and what you are unknowingly also helping others to achieve.
Aw thanks RM 🙂 - I’m 52 and have never run before starting C25K in May. Graduated in August. It’s a great programme and makes 5K definitely doable but the end (not necessarily in 30 mins but the stamina is there). Good luck on your running journey 🙌🏻
There is too many people make runners feel belittled they have no thought for people’s feelings you should be proud you have done something that others a too lazy to even try well done you 😊
Oh bless you...and she on the other hand carried on oblivious and believing just what she wanted to believe regardless. Next time tell her to mind her own f#$@ing business! Or more constructively tell her, can't stop, got to run! 😉
We know you are awesome and that she is most definitely not.
Presumably you must have looked good to not look like you'd just done a park run so turn it in to a compliment!
Unfortunately there are always people wanting to bring you down, and I know it's easier said than done, but focus on your positives. You've just done your 3rd park run!! 🎉
That is horrible but well done to you! I just did my first parkrun today and was really nervous, comments like that wouldn't have helped. You are doing amazing 🙌
You ran at parkrun , you ran the full course. Not that it's anybody's bloody business. You should be so proud of yourself and we are all proud of you also. So be happy and keep running . 😊😊😊
Congratulations and really well done 👍 🏃♀️🥳 unfortunately there are a few tactless and negative people in the world but we do not need to be brought down by them - just feel sorry 😐 for this lady who was obviously feeling inadequate! Sorry 😐 but these kind of remarks just make me mad 😠 Avoid her next time and ENJOY 😊
Some people just have to dig don’t they? don’t let her get to you and the fact that you got out there and ran makes you the better person, well done we have only covered 5k twice so far and there was a few walking type steps somewhere in the middle
I find it’s always non runners that say things like that. As you know parkrun is about joining in and making a regular habit, sad for them that they don’t know anything about it - ignore them and move on, you don’t need that negativity.
By the way missus, I am 56, only started this lark before my 50th birthday, took me ages to graduate, about 9 months......I will never, ever run 5k in under 30 mins, I have, however, with the encouragement of all those here and my friends at parkrun, slowly and steadily built to half marathon distance.
I dont know whether to cry with you or just be really angry on your behalf. What a horrible person she is, she must have really low self esteem before she would come out with something like that. I cant imagine someone ever having the right to say what she did. OMG you just got a new PB at a park run. You did it, you didn't sit on the couch, you put in all these weeks of effort and you won. Please accept this hug () and take all the support you can get from this community.
What a horrid woman. I completely get how that would have made you feel bless you (I would definitely be the same.) I want to give you a big hug. However....you were the one that completed a 5k. You were the one that got out of bed on a cold morning and got active. You are amazing...you you fought the demons and did it! Big hugs x
That was rather nasty of her, all the people who now know that I run have congratulatulated me , all they asked me was not to "overdoit", I told them that at my age, 73, it's OK for me to run 5K parkruns and safe enough up to run a 10K, sorry about what that other person said to you, keep on running and tell that nasty person to take up running or another exercise. 😊 🏃🏾
Do NOT let that awful, selfish person make you feel bad about something you should feel really proud of. If you're anything like me, when you started this I bet you could hardly get through the first 60 second run. Now look at you! PB at park run! You're amazing! I bet there were people there today seeing you and feeling inspired and wishing they could get a PB - my times keep going backwards! You're doing great - don't let anyone take that away from you. x
Sounds like jealousy or guilt to me. 😨 How horrible for you. But I hope you feel much better after reading all the supportive comments on here. Of course, after the fact we can all think of what we might have said. But really, it doesn’t matter. You have done well, and the lovely Marshall is the one to remember. And that PB of course! A whole minute knocked off? Fabulous. 👏🏼 Go, you! 😄 Fastest Sloth in the Park.
Thanks GS - actually I checked it was 30 secs faster but I’ll take that because it was actually a really tough run for me today - just couldn’t get breathing under control. And I do feel better - the support on here is fantastic. Thanks everyone 🤗🤗🤗
I am so sorry this person was so horrible to you, and it sounds like she really got to you and completely ruined what should have been a celebration for you - you got a PB and by a considerable margin! (Happened to me a few weeks back and I was grinning for ages).
I wouldn't mind betting that this woman has her own problems and is taking it out on you because of it. I know it's hard if you feel vulnerable and self-conscious, but try to remember it's her problem, not yours. You did brilliantly today - hold on to that!
Thanks IS - she has got form for treating people badly and I would have avoided her if I could have. There were many lovely people there with good comments and encouragement- I will remember all of them 🙂
Great going with your park run - you got out there and you did something amazing today! Just hang onto that feeling when you realised you’d beaten your PB! You’ve earned it! Park run’s a very distant goal for me (just finished week 1) so I’m very much in awe of you runners!👏
You keep on with it - you never know you may have inspired Mrs Negative to pick up her trainers and have a go!
Well done on doing park run and achieving a pb. Concentrate on that and how far you’ve come. It was a big deal for me to run in daylight recently as I’m self conscious too. So I understand. But she probably doesn’t understand impact she had with her thoughtless words. I’d love to graduate (I’m week 6) and be able to do park run. So I think you’re awesome! Well done.
Thank you. Week six - on your way to longer and more satisfying runs. You will be amazed at what you can do over the next few weeks- good luck FiftySomething 🙌🏻
Wooo hold up! You just said you completed a Parkrun! I have not got the guts to do that so that’s a ✅ for you! In fact you have completed 3 so that’s ✅✅✅You got a PB so that’s another ✅ . You ran with other people going at different paces that’s huge so another ✅ Everyone else was encouraging do that’s a few more ✅✅✅✅✅✅ That just leaves one person who you said you don’t have time for, and obviously hasn’t got anything nice to say anyway so she is insignificant so we just ❌ her put the equation ( I may feel sorry for her as she needs to push others down to make she self feel good, how sad must she be!!!!!)
Just remember the positives that your running achievements give you and that wonderful natural high. Remember how happy you feel after a run. That person will NEVER be as happy as you or achieve as much as you!
Her snarky comments say everything about her, and nothing about you. I bet she would have said something similarly inane to Eliud Kipchoge last week if she'd had chance. Keep your chin up 😊
First thing- you are doing brilliantly- enjoy your fab success, we are super proud of you. 😄😄
Second thing - that inappropriate comment says a lot about her & her own issues. She probably says abrasive stuff to many people- it’s about her problems, - not really about you at all.
Go you!! Enjoy the encouraging, wiser & kinder comments others have made! 😄
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