That's really nasty... Still if there's one thing i've learnt about running it's that everything is about personal goals and there's no way one person can compare themselves to another. I was chatting to a friend of mine last night saying how pleased I was with getting up to 7.5 miles and running 10 or 11mm, and then she told me about her 7mm half marathon. She then told me about an old friend of hers she met on facebook who's now a runner - they got chatting and this person came 87th in the London marathon!

You've put the work in, and no doubt made loads of personal achievements along the way. It sounds to me like she's jealous and i'm sure that's bugging her more than the 28min 5K will bug you. Keep up the running, then maybe sometime later see if she wants to join you on a longer race (one that requires training) then maybe you'd have the last laugh

I bet that you actually could take quite a bit of time off that 5km PR...it is true that there are people that are gifted to run fast on seemingly little work. You started and did the program, which is a huge accomplishment, so you have it in you to run faster.
I used to think that I would never be 'fast'....but knew that while I am not naturally fast, I AM stubborn....and I started running a lot more mileage...and as a result I have taken giantic chucks of time off my race times...really unbelievable.
For a relative beginner, you still havent tapped all the potential that you have to run faster. You have lost weight and already come a long way. Don't discount all the amazing things you achieved and do notlet one petty person make you feel that all the work you have done to get this far is not a huge thing that you should be so proud of....

Maybe you can make this a positive by trying to get faster and maybe even beat her time? it depends on you though, some people like the competition, some people find it takes the fun away as it adds too much pressure.
But I definitely would not think that you could never come close to that time...I bet that you could!

PS: I should mention that since I started running I have taken over ten minutes off my 5 km time! and this happened not from doing 'speedwork' per se or working on that specifically, I started doing longer races and so did more mileage, and also lost close to 20pounds. You only started in July! you haven't even begun to see what you can do!!!!!!!

http://This message has been edited by StPauligirl (edited Oct-29-2007).

let's see,

so far you lost 40 pounds and are able to run 3.1 miles in 38 minutes.

I would say you are far ahead of the curve.


Unless you are training to become a "competative" runner, time is not of the essance.


If my memory serves me, the Hare did not win the race with the turtle.

Your SIL has no doubt seen your progress and been inspired by it. That is a credit to what you have accomplished and the supreme compliment! I've had a couple of people say to me that I inspired them, and they put it like this.... "I knew if you could do it, anyone could!" I have Type 1 diabetes and don't have the typical runners build. At first their comments kind of ticked me off, but then I realized it was actually a good thing. Rubbing off on others (yes, even inlaws) in a positive way is a very good thing!

Oh, and my mother (at 67) is starting to run again (after many years off following a stress fracture). She used to win her age group in 5K's and 10K's here in the area. Much more talent than me (age 41), and she will likely be able to beat me and my husband handily, despite the age difference. But it will be thrilling to see her out there having fun!

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Progress, not perfection.

I agree with Bill ? be the bigger person (sorry, that?s not a fat joke) and congratulate her. Have you seen the SIL since her 5k? How was her demeanor then? Sometimes it?s hard to tell a person?s attitude in an email/text message. If the SIL is a true runner, in person she will be supportive and congratulatory toward you. And, like others here have indicated?you?ll more than likely get faster as you continue to train specifically and smartly. Faster than you believe is possible.

Otherwise I offer one of my monikers: The road belongs not to the swift, but to those who keep running.

Race endorphins and adrenaline can make you say strange things. I'd overlook it. If she truly meant it- that would only indicate that she is insecure and feels threatened by you, possibly in some aspect other than running. Congrats on your weight loss and your running, after all, it's what YOU do that matters.

Cheryl

Someone had a good suggestion in here. Kindness is the best thing, then she will maybe look a little differently at things. Just be nice, as usual I am sure, and let it be.