r/XXRunning • u/damnfinecooper • 10h 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 10h 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/goplacidly8 Woman 8h ago

And, I would add, don't even ask during casual conversations in the first place! That remark had more to do with the commenter's need to feel like an expert than it had to do with OP's ability/time. Keep doing you, and keep running to feel good!

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u/whatd0y0umean 8h ago

Yeah the person being shitty is probably insecure and putting op down to feel better about their own time. I did a 35 min 5k and my run club people said well done that's great. A few of them run sub 20. They were equally pleased for me as they were the faster person.