I get the same stuff but more so because I am overweight and old. It seems that if you are a combo of the two, you are sexpected to walk.

I have run and finished 4 HM's. And there are a bunch of women skinnier than I am who finish behind me.

don't let it bother you. Just keep on with what you are doing and tell them to stuff it!

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Patty

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Originally posted by spicegeek:

I love passing those who assume they are in better shape than me because they are thinner than me. Hopefully it humbles them
I

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Likewise!

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I just am so dishearted by the fact that because of my size i'm not "accepted" into the runners world.

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I think the best way to have friends at a race is to bring your friends to the race. Otherwise, it's a crap shoot. Sometimes there will be a great vibe at a race and everyone will be really friendly. Other times, people will be trying to get "into the zone" and are doing their very best to ignore everyone else as they mentally prepare for the race.

In my small experience (and yours may very well vary), the longer the race, the friendlier the people. During a marathon, I have time to talk to you during the race. I may even want to be friendly with you before the race because it is simply wonderful to have someone to chat with to make the miles disappear behind you. In a 5K, I don't have time for that. If I want to do my best, I have to push, push, push. I have to focus.

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At each race I've been asked by the bigger gals if I'm walking too.

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Starting conversations is awkward. I try to think of a hook that will make you want to talk with me. I know others do this too. So, I don't think these other ladies are trying to "dis" you, but I can totally understand how it comes across that way. Still, this is an opportunity to find friendship and acceptance, or maybe even to build up someone else who has not progressed as far as you have. It might be a chance worth taking.

Cheers,
Billy

[http://This message has been edited by BillyVLT (edited May-29-2007).|http://This message has been edited by BillyVLT (edited May-29-2007).]

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Originally posted by bikegirl72:

At each race I've been asked by the bigger gals if I'm walking too.

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I just want to add--- asking is great! It means they just want someone to walk with; You probably didn't intimidate them as much as some of the others (I'm sure because of the running skirt as much as being bigger).

People that bother me are the ones I overhear talking crap.   (Recent race, had someone pointing at me and saying, "At least we won't finish last."  For real.  Which shouldn't have bothered me because if you are in any risk of finishing last in a 5K, you are going to be well BEHIND me. But why even say something like that?)  Of course, anyone jerky enough to make comments like that are generally inexperienced enough that I beat them.

Ok...let me say I was an athena at my first race...now I've lost weight and I guess am "skinny" or something like that.

I figured I'm chime in on somethingthere are always going to be runnerswhether they're skinny or notwho are going to be rude and say inappropriate things. I get asked if I can really run since I apparently am not built like a runner and I don't have "runners" legs. Um...so chicken legs are a trait of my family...who cares...they do what they need to. And what is "really" running...like I what, don't run but just show up and dress the part? <br /><br />However....most runners are just glad to see you out there. I run at a park. There are these 2 people that run there-the woman is probably 250 and the man has to be almost 400. When I see them, the first thing that crosses my mind is "wow, good for them" because I cannot imagine getting out there like that if I was overweight. I ran on a TM for 5 months until I lost 40+ pounds because I was embarrassed. Let me also clarify this by saying I'm not calling myself perfect or nice...I know I make judgments sometimes...but when people exercise...that's one time I don't.  Of course, I do have to chuckle when I get passed by a skinny little thing who looks like they'd be a great runner, and she can only go 2 miles to my 15, then she asks me for advice, LOL -- looks can be deceiving...they could even be jealous of your dedication!

One more quick story...My mother is 58 years old (and an athena) and is training to walk the half marathon while I run the full...people laugh at her, tell her she's too old and she's crazy and she just thinks "who cares, at least I'm doing it" and that's a great attitude!!

I run for me. I don't pay a lot of attention to what other people think or say.

I like when people talk to me, but I don't put a lot of stock in their opinions....every runner is different and everybody's out there doing the best they can. If someone asks me if I walk, I say, "sometimes" which is true. It doesn't make me less of a runner and it doesn't make me feel bad about myself.

This morning I was clumping along and a mountain biker passed me and said, "you can do it." I guess I could've taken offense...of course I can do it, you moron. But it didn't even occur to me. Most people are just trying to help, and just trying to connect.

And the rest can just stuff it.