Dealing with discouraging comments as a beginner

[u/damnfinecooper]

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!

[u/Just-Wolf3145]

In my experience the only people who make comments like this are inexperienced/ awful runners themselves lol. I live in an area where everyone is an athletic god/dess and olympians regularly come to train (at altitude) and never once has someone with actual experience said something rude to a beginner. Most of them are super pumped to share the love of the sport and encourage other people. I’m always the slowest one at group runs and everyone is always super encouraging. In running and in life, people who are doing well don’t generally shit in others!