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!

Oh I get that all the time.  Usually it is an "as-if" look from someone at the start..  I'm no speed demon (22:38 5k, 48:??, 10k, 78:?? 15k, 1:44 HM) but I am faster than a lot of those people that give me cross looks.  I love to hang around the finish and tell them what a nice race they ran!  I'm so bad.  Most people are not like that...  Don't sweat it!

Reminds me of a conversation I had with a co worker several years ago.  She was about 20 and thin.  I was twice her age and 30 lbs heavier.  I was talking about running and she gave me an appraising look and commented, "You don't look like a runner.  I just picture a runner as looking, you know, different..." She was trying to tell me that since I wasn't thin and sinewy I didn't fit the runner image.  Funny thing, though, this girl was thin and young but a smoker and never exercised.  I guarantee I could have whooped her skinny *** running any day!

I pass my share of skinnier and younger runners.  Fast forward a few years to a race I ran recently with another co-worker.  I am five years older and 30 lbs heavier than she is but beat her by a couple of minutes in a 5K.  I'm not fast, and more runners are usually ahead of me than behind me, but I really don't care what any of them think!

Leadville Fan wrote:

 

I run for ME, and no one else. It doesn't matter to me where I come in the pack, as long as I don't come in last .

 

I really am disheartened by the comments of people who are considering no longer running or competing because of comments. A friend of mine is 6 feet, is a size 18, and has legs of almost solid muscle.  She said she has several coworkers and others make comments about how she can't possibly run.  A suggestion I had was , "just because I'm overweight, doesn't mean I'm not healthy".  There's a fairly new term going around called "skinny fat". It's about those who are slender and in the right government weight range, but couldn't do anything  even moderately suggestive of healthy exercise.

 

I have seen the glances from people looking at me (size 12) running. Usually it's those "cute" women in the most recent fashions running. Do I really need to take someone seriously who has to run in the latest fashions? NO.   I don't run fast, I don't run smoothly, but I run for me.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Hey Nikki

Don't feel disheartened. Each time you do your thing, someone who had no idea a bigger girl could run is learning that anyone who practices and trains properly can do it.

I'm a size 12 (but used to be morbidly obese) and was self conscious the first few times I went to races. I assumed I would look and feel like I didn't belong there. What I found instead were people who were often wanting to strike up pleasant conversations. I realized that I was projecting my own negative self-views onto perfect strangers. I used to feel self-conscious about my size, so I assumed they would look me up and down and wonder "what's she doing here?" The reality is that they don't care, neither should I, and they probably have better things to do than watch me and judge me anyway!

I find that people who love to run are supportive of others who love to run. It's not the other runners who don't accept you. It might be annoying that people assume you're going to walk, but I seriously doubt that the comments or questions that you get are maliciously intended, so let them roll off your back without a second thought. And don't let it affect your self-esteem or your running goals. People go to races for themselves, for a cause or for loved ones--they're not there to judge you.

Do your thing!!