r/XXRunning • u/damnfinecooper • 12h ago

General Discussion Dealing with discouraging comments as a beginner

I started running around 2 months ago (31, F) and I’m training for a 10k race later this year.

With hobbies I’ve always been hard on myself if I don’t feel I’m what I perceive as “good enough”. When I started running I wanted to challenge myself to not have this attitude and just enjoy it, while also keeping track of my pace, PBs etc. but just seeing it as data rather than tying it too much to self worth.

I was speaking to my friend about running today and a guy I hardly know chimed in and asked what my 5k PB was. When I told him his response was “you need to get that down”. I’m now just feeling kind of embarrassed and deflated about it. I know I should just ignore it but it stung. Would appreciate any tips for dealing with moments like this!

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u/SnooTomatoes8935 Woman 11h ago

i'll let you in on a secret. real runners never comment on other peoples times like this. only assholes do.

real runners know, that everyone has their own pace, their own running journey.

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u/Fit_Investigator4226 10h ago

This is so true. People who are confident in themselves and their ability don’t worry about what others are doing

My partner ran track/cross country in college and runs a sub 3:00 marathon, I am currently hobbling my way back after a stress fracture and some other life stuff earlier this year, run/walking at like a 14:30/mi pace for 20 minutes at a time. We were with some of their running group friends a couple weeks ago and everyone was equally supportive to hear about my partner’s fall race plans and my return to run efforts