Havto agree with the other members who've suggested that it's mostly mental.  There is no universal "runner" image for the average citizen

(unless you're talking about world-class olympians, but that's a compeltely different fitness level). 

For every race (a hundred to a thousand+), the entire weight/height/age gamet is represented and there are no existing opinions about anyone.  What does amaze me is the

people who think they're fast and line up in front, only to be passed

within the first 100-yds.  I usually give kudos to the above 70 runners as that demonstrates how many running years I have remaining. 

What people need to achieve is the weight in which they feel good.

BTW, I'm 6-4, 210 and run sub-20 5k's (@ 4500'), so keep up the effort.

Morning all!  I stumbled upon this thread while looking for info for DH, a clydesdale.  He's a mtn. biker but also does running races.  He wouldn't consider himself a runner - in all our time together, I think he's run with me twice.  Anyway, I've been thinking about this thread for a bit and felt compelled to chime in.  I think we all have insecurities and those often translate into a chip on our shoulders.  I'm a "skinny" runner and I can honestly and truthfully say that I have never looked at someone and wondered why they were running, nor have I been "humbled" by someone passing me just because they were heavier than me.  I talked to a woman before a 10k once, she was walking it, I was running (BTW, I didn't ask if she was walking, she told me) and I thought that was awesome!  In a way, it takes much more mental energy to walk a 10k than running because it takes so much more time.  I have a chip on my shoulder about being a younger parent - I have a 9-year old son and am 31 but look even younger than that.  I limit my activities at his school because I feel like other parents look at me differently for being young.  What kind of garbage is that?  The truth of the matter is that they probably see me the same way I see heavier runners - not at all.  I have to remember that I'm not that important and people aren't always looking at me thinking negative thoughts.  When I'm lining up for a race, I'm more interested in people's ages than their weight - who is in my age group.  I think it's a shame that we allow these things to influence us, whether in running or in our NRR lives.  Why can't we just support each other instead of using each other?

I'm 5'7" and weigh 210 and I outran all the people in my office that were doing the 5K Susan Komen Race for the Cure. And both of them are petite women. I think they were in shock when they found out I paced 11 min miles and medaled (probably closer to 10 min miles because it took 4-5 minutes before I was able to run at the start). I think I also dropped a lot of jaws when I SPRINTED the last .10 mile. My husband said he would buy this expensive All-Clad pan I've had my eye on if I finished under 35 minutes, and when I got near the finish line, the clock said 34:20 and I HAULED it into the finish line so I could make it under 35 min. 34:50 baby!!!

Goes to show that being skinny doesn't mean you're healthy, and that determination goes a long way! RUN FATGIRL RUN!