Active Community: Message List - Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 03:36:15 GMT

I like what you said and I think you hit the nail on the head with that comment.

Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:31:33 GMT

Shelby you bring up a good point

Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:10:16 GMT

Hello. I may be a few years late on responding to this post, but I think it's very important to stay focused on what is important; that is finishing the race at your own pace.

I fall under the "Athena" group weighing in at 179 lbs and dropping; I just finished a 10k on Saturday 12:15 pace and surprisingly wasn't the last one to come in. I don't care what the faster runners think, I accept them the way they are. I do have a secret to participating in each event I always dedicate my run to a loved one living or deceased and it ALWAYS gets me through.

Happy walking/jogging/running no matter what size or weight you are!

~A. Fierro

Avondale Az.

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 02:22:14 GMT

Having run my first 1/2 marathon a couple of weeks ago, I now feel very little self consciousness. I passed by thinner runners...thinner runners passed me. But, we all finished 13.1 and that's all that matters!

I think being heavier I'm not going to gain speed until I lose more weight, but I definitely have the endurance. So I try to avoid 5k's right now and do slightly longer runs so I don't feel so pressured pace wise. After doing the half, I definitely feel I can call myself a runner and know that I'm accomplishing something.

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:12:29 GMT

Some do some don't. The ones that look at me and make comments about my ability aren't worth my time. Most are encouraging and just happy to see another runner, no matter what their size. My first experience with a race volunteer, not a skinny runner. It took me a long time before I decided to sign up for my first 5K. When I picked up my race packet the volunteer couldn't find my packet. She had assumed I was walking and looked in the wrong spot. At first I was hurt and angry, then I got mad. In August I ran my first 1/2 marathon and no one made any assumptions (at least not to my face), it was one of the best experiences of my life.

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:36:03 GMT

I get it all it all the time.. At first is made me sad but Now i love passing the runner who asked if i am walking at races.. As my mom used to tell me all the time, Just because someone is skinny doesnt mean they are healthy or fast.. And the same goes for us bigger people ( i am 240lb )We can be bigger and fast!

Some days it bothers me but Most days i just run it off

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:45:20 GMT

Let me first say- I love this thread. There's a lot of encouragment and positive thoughts in it, but also some not so positive thoughts.(ie-taking "barbie down a notch) I would probably be considered a thinner runner, but I don't need to be taken down a notch. If you praise yourself for passing "Barbie" you're no better than the people who said "At least we won't finish last." You're encouraging yourself with negative thoughts about other people. I may be skinny, but there are lots of heavier people out there who run better than I do. Like so many other people have said, how much you weigh doesn't really correlate to how far you can run and how fast your mile time is. In the end you should focus on yourself, not who you're passing and what they look like compared to you. Set goals for your time, or your distance- not how soon you'll pass the skinny person. Run for yourself and no one else.

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:34:05 GMT

Yea I do sometimes but everyone has been very very supportive. I just assume when they look at me they a glad they are not as big as I am and like running. I have been runnning for about 18 weeks now - and I like it but I am I guess what might be considered an Ultra Clydesdale - I am currently at about 310 pounds down 100 pound from 23 months ago when I decided to do something about it. I had never run and I mean never unless forced to so when I tried it and first found out that I could run and then liked it well how others look at me was not going to stop me.

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:09:10 GMT

I have yet to experience any kind of poor behaviour from anyone at a race.......but I am 4 times the size of most runners......

fear has it's advantages

Re: Do you ever feel that skinny runners look at you differently?

guest — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:23:16 GMT

Yeah, I was told once by a coach with Team in Training that I should remember that less than 5% of the population participates in running races! That alone should make you feel so good!! I now use that little tidbit of info to encourage the girls I coach in Girls on the Run races!