I’m writing here as I know your support is amazing and I always feel better after hearing responses!
I started running about 3 years ago when my mental health deteriorated. I never thought I would be a runner. I now run 3-4 times a week and do 5k each time. My average is around 35 minutes a run. I don’t have the best joints. I do 10k occasionally but it can often trigger injury and going too fast can often trigger injury too. My physio said that some people have a distance limit and maybe that is me.
My sister has now started running. I know it sounds ridiculous but I feel really down about it even though she said she was inspired by me. It was my thing (I know I don’t own running so not angry at her for starting it!) but I knew it would trigger my insecurities and my lack of ability to recognise my own achievements and would trigger comparisons.
She can do 5k in 31 minutes with an average of 6.10 per kilometre. The fastest I can do is 6.48. I know it is ridiculous to compare in my head but it has made me feel like such a rubbish runner. I wish she wouldn’t post her runs. This is why I was happy with just me in family running. So I didn’t feel like this but I just feel inferior to her like I should be doing that page after 3 years. Thing is I am not a page runner - I do it to stay fit but most of all for my mental health.
I just need some support from you all. Not much point to the post 😢
Written by
Feeling_Runderful
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Totally get it, I was on something like week 7 of c25k and my husband went for a 7km run at half the speed of me and he hadn't ran for 2 years!!
I wanted him to run again but still was a bit galling 🤣 interestingly he hasnt ran again since and of course wont listen to be talking about c25k!
You and your sister is the same thing, just have a rant here and let it go, I think you are amazing running as fast as you do and can only hope I can be that fast one day! 😁
you really cant compare yourself to anyone, I also logged onto parkrun for the first time yesterday and the fastest time is set by my friends brother at 16 mins!! Argh!!! I cant even imagine how fast that is!!
Thank you 😊 think I just needed to hear that what I’m feeling is normal. And thank you with my pace 😊 I’m not a pace runner so don’t normally care if it’s just a random person!
It's how things are, I'm afraid. Some folks are naturally faster than others.
That doesn't diminish your achievements in any way at all.
I see other runners out there kicking their legs and running what seems like twice as fast as me. The competitive ego feels threatened by them. That's normal.
I look back at the me from over a year ago who couldn't run for a bus without wheezing for ten minutes. My achievements are my own, and comparing to someone else is to rob them of context. I've achieved more than I ever could have expected in the last 9 months, and that's all my own doing.
I am slower than I was seven years ago, but I still have all the health benefits, both mental and physical from my running and going faster would, as you say, increase my injury risk.
Compare yourself to yourself and forget about what other people are doing.
I never post my runs for that reason. I wish she didn’t but she is not the kind of sister where I could explain how I feel to her and ask her not to. I know if it was the other way round I would in a heartbeat. Thank you! And your pace is great! 35 mins is my best but most times it is the same as you depending on which route I take! I enjoy my runs when they are a bit more leisurely!
Your pace is great & something I’d love to get to.In a way I like to read how well others do as it does encourage me to push forward however if I thought negatively I could say it shows how rubbish I’m am, but to be honest I gave up a long time ago on comparing & I'm trying my best to run now just for me only & my own well being.
We all have good & bad days & im having a rotten week, but then I think back to a few months ago & look what I’ve achieved & overall I’m chuffed with myself, (slow that I am lol) & so rightly you should be over the moon with your own successes.
Try not to compare with your sister although I know it’s hard as everyone is an individual, instead look for your inner strength to keep powering yourself on to your own personal gains & enjoyment.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Running with a newbie. Why was flat not good?!
Ooh, ooh, fastest 5k ever!! Thank you R2D2 & flat Belgian countryside!!!!
Graduation Day - feeling well chuffed !
On target feeling fantastic
