Just finished Susan Cain’s book “Quiet”. She reckons that extroverts are much better at keeping fit. As a thorough going introvert, I completely get this. If you don’t mind being stared at in busy rooms, charging around in crowds or having everyone shouting at you, sporty things ought to come reasonably naturally. Personally I still have rounders nightmares from school ! Any suggestions for introvert-oriented sports, anyone ?
Now I understand !: Just finished Susan Cain’s... - Couch to 5K
Now I understand !
ButtercupKidGraduate
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RunawaytrainerGraduate
I finished reading that on Friday, and am also an introvert. Saw myself in there quite a lot but somehow with running I got over the awkwardness. Parkrun is ok, although I mainly like to run on my own. I find a Pilates class is fine because we're all lying on our mats looking at the ceiling!
I don’t mind the running in itself but I still get nervous if I think anyone is watching. I guess I could stand Pilates as long as I could hide at the back 😄
I am fine with Pilates, Zumba, anything where people are watching the coach and not me! Took me ages to start running. When I started, I went to the playing fields nearby, early in the morning when nobody was around. Dressed all in black. At some point, the running became more important in my head than being recognised. Or noticed. Once I'm dressed in my (colourful!) running gear, I don't care, it's like flicking a switch in my brain. I'm also happy running with a group. Not happy in changing rooms. A spa day is my idea of hell. Also remember hating team sports, I kept dropping the ball. I was short sighted but didn't know until I was 14. Damage was done by then 😁
Funnily enough I was ok with some team sports, as long as I had a defined role that didn’t draw attention: I was a reasonably sound hockey back, for example. What I hated was stuff where everyone else is looking at you, like athletics and cricket. And communal changing rooms should be banned 😄
My word things that come back to you when you read these posts...I too didn't get glasses until 14 years when it came out that I couldn't read the board in class...and had established a total fear of rounders, cricket, tennis etc where a ball seemed to fly out of nowhere and you were meant to do something with it. 👀 Laughable now but then.
😁 exactly!
Beat you both then: I got my glasses when I was 12 ! I don’t remember not seeing the ball, just being completely incapable of doing anything useful with it. I was into my 40s before I began to develop any co-ordination 😄
GoGo_JoJoGraduate
I feel like that applies more to team sports. With walking/ hiking/ running you can do it on your own, your way and enjoy your own space. 😊
I read that quite a while back but I'm a mix of both so I didn't find it fit me.
Walking and hiking are fine, but people look at you when you run and I hate it ! 😄
Oh I don't care about that anymore. I wear so much neon I'd be more surprised if they didn't! 🤣 I got told I was brighter than the sun last weekend. Don't care if it was meant as a compliment or not, took it as one 🤣
Definitely a compliment !
JazzyrunnerGraduate
I agree with GoGo_JoJo, I would say that’s more team sports. Running or walking by yourself is perfect for getting that head space for the introverts amongst us 😊 Yoga also is ideal - I think it’s good to start with a class if possible, so a teacher can make sure you’re getting in the right positions, but Yoga with Adriene on YouTube is brilliant for doing it at home in peace!
I never thought of checking out YouTube - great idea !
She’s a great teacher and you can enjoy perfect peace!
I’ll definitely check that out. Thanks again 💐
Go gently. Without an observant teacher, you can injure yourself. Personal experience!
Good advice, also from experience! I have Quiet on my shelf - you have reminded me to pick it up again 👍 I think heavy disguise always helps me run in public - hat & sunglasses. If glasses work for supergirl, why not me!
Heavy disguise sounds great ! Next time I’ll go out in an opera cape and fake beard. That’ll confuse them 😂
Poor you ! I’m always pretty cautious about things, so I’ll take it slow. Thanks for the advice x
I completely disagree, I'm a raging introvert and I'm AWESOME at keeping fit 😊😊😊
In seriousness though, when I first thought about starting running with C25K I was really worried about people staring at me. I found a place where there were always plenty of other people running - of all shapes, sizes, and ages! No-one batted an eyelid! Try this if you can, it could really help with your self-confidence, and the fitter you get the more confidence you will build xxx
Also, running is the perfect way for us introverts to get the 'me time' we need to recharge our batteries.
You’re right about running being great for inner space. It’s worth all the weird looks I get 😄
I learned early on not to look at
non running people that I pass, so any weird looks are not seen! I am much happier in complete ignorance! 😄 However it does mean that I am hailed occasionally by friends that I haven’t noticed as I trot past - they all seem to realise that I am “in the zone” rather than ignoring them! 😂
Probably awed by your coolness and powerful focus 😄
I wish!! 😂😂😂
I am also an introvert, I can’t bear the thought of exercise classes, the gym or swimming pools!
I’m on W4R3 now and am finding it ok. I Don’t run until it’s dark though!
I did a lot of runs in the dark too at first. Still aim for quieter times of day even now.
NilsamGraduate
What a fantastic discussion. So many of us out there that hated school PE yet have come together on a "running" platform. My mother used to say "Who do you think you are that you think people are looking at you?" Harsh for a shy child but I can see her point. However, we are important to us...So big peaked cap, pick your location, wear a smile (act until you believe it). Take care and have a happy jog. People will look with envy. 😎👀👍
People used to stay stuff like that to me too. It’s totally unhelpful because you aren’t shy because you think people are admiring you but because you feel they’re despising you ! I find this forum massively helpful but I know I’d really struggle to interact this comfortably if I had to do it all face to face. Thank heaven for technology 😄
Yes, indeed. You are right. Technology certainly has its place. Take care. 🙂👍
And you x
I’m definitely an introvert!!! Since moving I’ve been running in my garden!! I’m sure if l keep it up l can find my way to Oz😂😂 (l have managed a few Parkrun too)
Well done you ! I hope it’s a big garden. Mine is very narrow and full of concrete and steps, so more of an obstacle course than a running track 😄
It’s a rather large garden BK, more like a small field really. The roads out of the village have no footpaths & are, in my opinion, dangerous for walkers never mind runners lol. I do have options but have become rather lazy in my old age. I will get out there, it’s just when. Happy 🏃♀️
Why go out if you’ve your own private track ? Sounds fab !
Nope, need to spread my wings( you gave me the impudence to get off my derrière) Did 7.2km in response 👍🏻thank you
That’s awesome ! Go you ⭐️ !
RunawaytrainerGraduate
Another way of looking at it: one day I ran past someone else with grey hair, and he said, "You put us all to shame." And I was only trotting slowly along. Now I think, I am trying to look after my health, and that is the most important thing to me.
That’s a good motivator for me too. I’ve never been fit before and even though I have a long way to go, I really like the different way my body feels, even though I hate the thought of having to go amongst people to work at it.
I’m also a “grey haired” (well - dyed really😂) exerciser & have had many positive comments when running or cycling, ( - apart from the recent “expert” who told me three times in under two minutes that I needed to carry a spare inner tube at the point that I had a puncture - and of course no spare inner tube - he was lucky not to be decked!!!😂). The fact that I politely told him (after expertise mark 1), that I always had one on a long ride and this was just a short one near home failed to staunch his repeated advice! 🙄
I suppose it’s nice that he cared ? Well done for not decking him ⭐️
motherducklingGraduate
Realistically, nobody is looking at you as much as you think they are - it always tends to get overblown in our minds I think.
And truthfully, those that are looking are unlikely to be judging anyone but themselves in comparison anyway.
I do have my coping mechanism though - I always take my dog, and just tell myself that anyone looking at me is probably more focused on her as she is more interesting!
I think part of my problem is that when I’ve been trying to do sporty stuff in the past people have genuinely been hurtful and mocking about it and about me. It’s my default expectation, even though nowadays it rarely happens. It makes every run a double challenge. But it’s still worth it 😀
People can be unthinkingly horrid. And some are just nasty. Luckily most runners seem to be lovely😊
One person laughed out loud when I said I was starting c25k. I didn't mention it again until the day I ran my first parkrun. Yes I did feel childishly gleeful at the look of shock on her face. 😁
Well done, that showed them and probably was a little motivation too.
Maybe, just a little bit 😁
Yay ! Love it !
Katie204Graduate
I've read that book too - but I hadn't thought of the relationship between sport and introversion/extraversion until you mentioned it.
I find I prefer more solitary activities - jogging or walking by myself. I am OK with doing the occasional parkrun or race event, as each person is running their own race. I can't cope with running as a part of a group, though - I am invariably last in the group, and the stress of keeping up with everyone makes me panic and struggle for breath.
I get that too. It’s funny what a difference it makes.
I want off the IC now!
Woohoo I am graduate now 
Now I feel like a runner 
Now THAT'S what I call running
I now look like a runner
