Feeling Very Discouraged ...

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14 Replies Last post: May 13, 2008 12:32 PM by milkbaby

fattycat36

2 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Apr 26, 2008 7:33 AM

Feeling Very Discouraged

Hi All,
I started a training program last week through Fleet Feet sports store, it's the No Boundaries program. It trains beginners to run a 5k in 12 weeks. So, the training is broken down into folks who are more experienced, people who want to step their walking up to jogging, and folks who want to jog/walk intervals, building up to being runners. Well, I'm in the jog/walk group. We do a 5 minute warm up, and walk 1 minute and jog 30 seconds. So, we were out on our run and I found myself at the very back of the slow group. Even the slow group had to slow down for me to catch up with them. Afterwards, a few of the ladies in the slow group were obviously annoyed with me. Also, a friend of mine is in the middle group, they run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds. She has been a little pushy in her "encouragement". Ok, so I feel like today was a disaster. I made it the entire 2 miles of walking/jogging, but I was at the very end.

Now, I'm feeling like maybe I shouldn't be doing this. Maybe I should quit. Maybe I don't have what it takes to be a runner. I guess I just needed to vent because I'm feeling a little sorry for myself right now. No, I don't want any cheese with this whine, I really just needed to get this off my chest.

Thanks

dwm082

444 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Apr 26, 2008 7:49 AM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

No question, it's hard to be the last person in your group. Don't let yourself be discouraged, though -- you're a lot faster than the people who are still sitting on their couches.

One of my co-workers is also part of a Fleet Feet No Boundaries group, and she's been consistently last through all of the runs. She's sticking with it, and recognizing that running is better than not running

Speed doesn't matter, particularly at this point. Just stay out there, do the best you can, and don't get injured.

Don

Michael.

676 posts since
Nov 9, 2007

2. Apr 26, 2008 7:54 AM

in response to: dwm082

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Speed makes no difference at all. Just keep on going at your pace. The important thing is you are out there and running instead of sitting on the couch of doom and eating cheesy poofs. Remember the minute you lace up your shoes and open that front door you are a runner, just as much of one as anyone else. Perhaps you will be the one getting the last laugh as faster people run themselves into injury. Just stick with it. You can do this.

Mike

sster

24 posts since
Mar 24, 2008

3. Apr 26, 2008 8:54 AM

in response to: Michael.

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

First of all, there is no call for people to be annoyed with you at your speed. Everyone trains at a different rate and that is OK--more than OK!

My advice would be to find a running partner who goes the same pace (or who is not a meanie at least) or do the program by yourself. That way your only competition is yourself and you can focus on YOUR body and what it's telling you. You can try Couch to 5K which is a very gentle program, and listen to the podcasts to keep you company (I don't know where to get them but lurk around here and someone will know).

I run extremely slowly, almost at a walking pace but with jogging moves. Speed does NOT matter for fitness. If you are getting your heart rate up you are doing your body a world of good.

Everyone can run. Our bodies were made for it. Stick with it and you will get there too!

AdrienneM

8 posts since
Mar 23, 2008

4. Apr 26, 2008 10:34 AM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Don't give up! It's so worth it to keep working on it and getting more endurance more fitness. After 4 months of walking-->jogging-->running I posted on my blog that I did 3 miles in 36 minutes. I was so excited and proud of myself. Then my father-in-law gets on and made the comment that I should tell everyone when I am down to 8-minute miles because until then I'm "just" jogging. So for like 5 minutes I was angry and hurt and wanted to quit. But you know what? he's a fat old man and next time I see him I'm going to challenge him to a race. And because I'm actually out there working out, I'll beat him! Channel the discouragment/anger into determination!

juststarted

761 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Apr 26, 2008 10:55 AM

in response to: AdrienneM

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

I can understand why you would feel discouraged, but don't let yourself go too far down that road. I run with someone in my neighborhood who runs soooooooo much faster than me and, sometimes, it bums me out too. Everyone runs at different speeds. You're doing better than most just by being out there and unless your goal was to run a 5k in under 20 minutes, there is no reason why you shouldn't meet your goal. Use yourself 2 weeks ago as your benchmark, not the twits in front of you who get annoyed b/c of your pace. Stick with it. The lifestyle you get back out of it is well worth it.

Valerie

kimber45caliber@yahoo.com

401 posts since
Oct 20, 2007

6. Apr 26, 2008 6:21 PM

in response to: juststarted

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Your program sounds exactly like the one they are doing in my town. My local running store has the exact program. When I started running last July the store-owners invited me to join them. I told them I would be too slow. They said, "don't worry about it". Well, I did worry about it and I didn't join. I did the C25K all by my lonesome. And it worked out just fine. I was slow and am still slow. Not quite as slow as I was, but pretty darn slow. I would never have been able to keep up with them. And I think I probably would have quit running. I needed to see small successes. And as long as I was measuring myself against others, I would never feel success. Running alone, being able to run that first full minute............that felt successful.

I know a lady who wanted to run with me. I was hesitant. We met up. She ran way too fast for me. I told her I couldn't run with her anymore. I told her I needed to go at my own pace. I don't really think she understood that I simply couldn't run faster. I generally don't have low self-esteem and I'll generally tell people what I think, but when it came to running, I was really embarrassed. I had a hard time telling people to leave me the f**k alone.

Keep running, regardless of the other people. You're out there for you, not for them. Run your own run and let them run theirs. And stay here. Everyone supported me through my struggles. We'll be here for you.

NYtoVA

29 posts since
Oct 31, 2007

7. Apr 27, 2008 10:39 AM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Mike is absolutely right - the minute ya get off the couch, lace 'em up & head out the door - you're a runner ... if this No Boundaries group isn't supporting your efforts - there may be other places in your community to train where they will be more encouraging with a newbie (local running clubs/YMCA) ... lots of folks have had great success with the C25K program - training on your own is always an option, too ... and if ya haven't had the opportunity to read John Bingham's "Courage to Start" - can pretty much guarantee it will give ya a lift (and a few laughs) ... hang in there & keep moving forward !

feelingyounger

4 posts since
May 9, 2008

8. May 11, 2008 6:48 PM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

PLEASE do not give up!!! I could so identify with your post. Initially (i.e. January), I could not go 1/4 mile without a walk break., and i was extremely slow to boot (maybe a 13 minutes per mile pace). It is for this reason that I chose to run alone, just me and my ipod, and to run at a deserted middle school track where no one would see me. Progress has been slow, but it has been happening.

I honestly believe running comes harder to some than to others. Those 12-week training plans are ridiculous for me, even though they are perfect for others. Maybe my body makeup is different, or my lung capacity. I don't know. What I do know is that I am improving, and am almost starting to think of myself as "a runner". It has taken 4 months, but I now can sometimes (not always) go 2-3 miles without a break. My pace has naturally increased too, to under 11 minutes/mile. IfI had run with a group, where I felt like a failure all the time and struggling to keep up, I'm guessing I most likely would have quit.

Please don't give up - you can do it, even if it takes longer.

Oscar's MumMum

37 posts since
Apr 17, 2008

9. May 11, 2008 7:40 PM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Don't be discouraged and don't let the "annoyed ladies" bug you. If they feel the pace of that group is too slow for them, they should move up into the next group. You just keep going. You'll get there.

jumpypup

1 posts since
Jan 27, 2008

10. May 11, 2008 8:42 PM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

The person who graduates last in their class in medical school still gets to call themselves "Doctor"

(My mom told me this when I came out of the swim for my first triathlon dead last...)

Having a mantra or some other saying or inspiriation in your mind can help you keep going on days when the training is hard. If you keep doing the right things, you'll get the results. So, listen to your positive mantra, not the ones inside your head.... or the ones from "annoyed" people...(which could be one and the same....)

cancerfighter

1 posts since
May 11, 2008

11. May 11, 2008 9:00 PM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

I know how you feel. I was always thin as a kid, but not "fit." Couldn't run a mile to save my life, got winded going up the stairs...always the last kid picked for ANYTHING in gym class My job kept me on my feet and walking, though, so I did ok. Then last year I developed invasive breast cancer. From April to December I was in and out of the hospital, bedridden, chemo-bloated, you name it. Now I'm 44, 30 lbs overweight, and cant walk a block without being out of breath. Quit my job and went back to college, where I sit on my (widening) backside all day.

Yesterday I jokingly told my 14 year old son I was going to be in the best shape of my life by my 45th birthday in December. I defined that as 130 lbs and able to run 3 miles without stopping. Little monster bet me $200 I could not do it. Now, I HAVE TO! And I'm so afraid I will let myself down.

I'm going to do the ~~C@5K~~ I just found online today. I could sure youse a buddy to keep me on track. I am so slow too. I won't get discouraged if you dont.

feelingyounger

4 posts since
May 9, 2008

12. May 13, 2008 7:42 AM

in response to: cancerfighter

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

Cancerfighter, you are an inspiration!!

PudgeyRunner

27 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

13. May 13, 2008 11:14 AM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

fattycat, I know it's been a bit since you posted this. I hope you're still sticking with it! I don't have anything to add, really. Just wanted to say that you're doing a great job by being out there and moving. Hope you didn't give up.

milkbaby

36 posts since
Oct 23, 2007

14. May 13, 2008 12:32 PM

in response to: fattycat36

Re: Feeling Very Discouraged

KEEP RUNNING!!! You are doing GREAT!

Just getting out there and starting is the hardest part -- once you get rolling it will be easier to keep rolling. Don't worry about the people who are "annoyed" as everybody has their OWN race to run, their OWN path to follow as it may be...

I often run with a running group where I am usually the fastest runner, but one of my goals is to spend a little time running at all different paces to visit with all the different runners. Oftentimes, at the end I will double back and run in with the slowest runner. So please don't let those folks ahead of you give you the wrong idea about the friendliness of runners. One day you may be one of the faster folks, and you can encourage those who are not as fleet of foot.

Remember, at the end of the 2 miles, you were still 2 miles AHEAD of all the people sitting on the couch at home! Good luck!

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Apr 26, 2008 7:33 AM

Feeling Very Discouraged

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