Running in Public

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Ben2

New member
Alright, so honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed to run in public. There's a bike trail where I live, but it's still embarrassing...any tips?
 
Ben said:
Alright, so honestly, I'm pretty embarrassed to run in public. There's a bike trail where I live, but it's still embarrassing...any tips?
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Well there's nothing wrong in running in public you just need the right get ups on running so that they will notice you that you are on a running exercise. So that you won't be embarrassing your self in public.
 
yeah dont go running in your jeans with your handbag like me, i got stopped 3 times the other day by friends asking if i needed a lift and asking if i was late for something.
 
Put on your ipod, turn it up as loud as you can and pretend you are the only person on the track.

Do not be embarrassed, you have to tell yourself this, or you are not going to get anywhere.

I let something like that hold me back once with exercise. (Not exercise for weightloss but for fitness).

I am a mother and try really hard to keep fit. However the comments I got by many perverts or the horns on cars that beeped as I jogged with my babies really started to bother me. Why should I not be entitled to jog along and be shown some respect.

So I started wearing sunglasses when I exercised and made sure my music was as loud as it could go so I could block them out. Some people can be rude for all sorts of reasons. Don't let it stop you, block them out.

Good luck
 
Hello, I am really self-conscientious and when I first started to go out and run, I didn't have "runners" or "running gear." I was pretty embarrassed, I tried looking for a running buddy.

I have runners now, but I still don't have the proper running gear, I do what Shae does too. I turn my ipod shuffle up REAL LOUD, and after a few minutes of it, I just don't notice who's looking at me. (I have high anxiety) and the running just kills it. ;)

I prefer now to run alone. I know for safety reasons I should make eye contact with other ppl on the path, but I never do, I just look off into the distance. Oh I also wear a ball cap that helps too, I can pull it down. Just try a few things out first with what makes you comfy, and you'll get the hang of it.

Although when I started and it was still -15 degrees celcius out, I would get to a traffic light, and be hopping up and down and clapping my hands...yea I got a few on-lookers...BUT hey I don't see them out in the cold, they sit there in their nice warm vehicles...
 
Good Work!

I too love running and I too got stared at constantly.

Bit different for me though. I was a 265 pound white guy running through the streets of a massive Chinese Mega city at rush hour. I got stared at at the best of times. But me in shorts, in +40 degrees, sweating like crazy was the best entertainment around for these people.

But I stuck to it. I too cranked up my mp3 player and blocked out the gawkers. However, one thing helped me through it.

They were staring before because I was a fat guy doing something out of place for a guy my size. This summer they will be staring at me again, but it is going to be because I am freaking hot and they wont be able to catch me with anything but their stares.

I too was self conscious from hell about how I looked in my crappy running clothes, now I am more concerned with how damn good it is going to look when I am wearing MUCH MUCH MUCH less..... ;)

Keep up the good work and give them something to stare at!!!

sirant
 
Hehe, I also felt so silly went I first started running. I just kept my eyes on the road ahead and kept going. Strange thing now is, when I'm out (especially on a long or hard run), I feel proud and I have wondered about the idea that some people may be looking at me thinking, "wow, I really respect/ admire that person".

It's what I hope I make people think anyway :D
 
I too am self-conscious of running outside by myself, but I just say myself "they are just people whos gonna like stare at you for a sec and never see you again".

I do though find it easier with a buddy, because you have less to worry and are more movitated to run.

I also put my ipod LOUD, not because to get rid of the noise (because you need to be able to hear the traffic in case somthing happens) but because it relaxes me!!

Hope that helps!! And keep up the awesome work!!!!
 
shae said:
Put on your ipod, turn it up as loud as you can and pretend you are the only person on the track.

Do not be embarrassed, you have to tell yourself this, or you are not going to get anywhere.

I let something like that hold me back once with exercise. (Not exercise for weightloss but for fitness).

I am a mother and try really hard to keep fit. However the comments I got by many perverts or the horns on cars that beeped as I jogged with my babies really started to bother me. Why should I not be entitled to jog along and be shown some respect.

So I started wearing sunglasses when I exercised and made sure my music was as loud as it could go so I could block them out. Some people can be rude for all sorts of reasons. Don't let it stop you, block them out.

Good luck
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You go girl! Kinda like the goofs that stare through the glass door to the fitness classes at the gym. I mean there's mirrors around the whole room, I can see you when I'm squatting. LOL I'm with you, work around them and F em! We are all doing this to better ourselves for US. Who cares what anyone thinks! I know it's easier said than done when you're heavier (I've been there) but once you start making a routine out of it you will be a lot more comfortable. Good luck! :)
 
I had the same problem. I got over it by telling myself "who cares if people are staring at me, I'm improving myself and I'll never see them again anyway". Still feel awkward running past people, but it gives me motivation to keep running and not stop for a break!
 
Ya'll have actually given me some courage to just say f-it and start running out in public. I am very self-conscious of my flabby self and didn't like the idea of people seeing this fat chick's wobbly bits flapping all around her while she tried to run. I was going to save up and buy a treadmill, but those can be expensive. Now I am thinking of taking advantage of the nearby school's track.

Thanks ya'll! :seeya:
 
I thought I would have a problem with that, but when I went out it turned out that I just didn't care. I'm pretty much in my own world when I am out exercising.

Now, I don't run (still way too heavy for my knees to take that kind of punishment), but I walk fast and use nordic walking poles, which even I have to admit look pretty dorky. Most other people I see using them are seniors. But I don't use them for stability; I use them to go faster and burn more calories. So I walk with my silly sticks (and mine are homemade, to boot), and walk with pride.

To quote my favourite scientist, Richard Feynman: "What do you care what other people think?"
 
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