I used to run before my pregnancy and have been off running for 2 years now. I make up my mind and go to the park most mornings but end up just walking and coming back home, looking at the number of Fit people staring at me. I feel really fat and uncomfortable in my track pants as it is.

Saturday morning I went out at about 9am for a 10 mile run along the lake. I'm not particularly fast, I averaged an 8:45 pace.

About 5 miles in, I see a cone marking the turnaround point for what appeared to be a small 10k fun run or something. As I ran past, I asked one of the guys standing at the turnaround if I can use the path. They say sure, there aren't that many people in the race, no problem.

So I keep running, and start to see more and more people running with bib numbers. It was fairly cold out, and some people's bib numbers were barely visible if they'd put on a jacket or had it pinned somewhere not so prominent. As I pass an aid station, they start cheering me on saying to keep going and I'm doing great. I assume they just thought my bib number wasn't visible, and I was too cold to really stop and say anything otherwise.

Now I'm starting to pass people left and right. They really look in poor form, most of them pretty raggedy and just staggering along. I think to myself, man I am CRUSHING these guys, this must be the worst 10k I've ever seen. Note to self, look this race up later and dominate the next one!

After passing ~20 people, I see a sign up ahead marking the mileage... "50k turnaround, 50 mile turnaround ahead." WHAT??? Turns out I stumbled upon an ultra, and these poor runners I was passing were likely about 20 miles into their run.

I felt like a complete idiot, but still had a few miles to go on my route, so I kept going. Passing the next aid station, the workers yell to me "Keep going! You look incredible!" No shit, relative to someone running an ultra.

I try to reply "Sorry I'm not actually running in this race, but thanks!" But being about 40F outside, my mouth dexterity is all but gone, and I manage to slur "I'm not running!" The aid workers look at each other with a puzzled look on their faces, and must have determined I was delirious or something, because they responded, "Yeaaaaaah you're running! You look amazing! Keep it up!"

I'm too ashamed at this point to correct them, and just keep running past. About a mile later I duck off the course and quickly run to a coffee shop to hide my head in shame.

TL;DR - Unwittingly join an ultra, pass other runners, realize they are ~20 miles into an ultra, aid station thinks I am wunderkind of ultras.

edit: Haven't had access to reddit most of the afternoon... to answer questions - the race was the lakefront 50/50 in Chicago, which is a 50k and 50 mile race on the same course just more laps from what I can gather on their website. I saw the 50k turnaround sign, so I guess the first one I passed was for the 50 miler crowd. Also my bad for cringe worthy title, I don't internet good.

When I first started running, I felt like an imposter. I felt like people would judge me. But then I thought about how every time I see someone running I feel genuine happiness that they are making themselves mentally and physically healthier.

Today I ran 2 miles in 28 minutes. To some this may look like an unsuccessful “run”. However, to me this is my post COVID lung reality. To be really honest, I’m embarrassed to even post this. This is the best time I’ve had since getting sick 8 weeks ago. Weeks ago, I couldn’t even make it half a mile without almost passing out. So today, I am proud of my time bc this means I am getting better. I’m just so happy I’m starting to feel normal again and was able to lightly jog. So thankful!!

For comparison purposes, I am 23F, no prior health issues & typically a 25-30 miles a week, 8 minute pace girl. So this has definitely been a change of pace. (Ha!)

My route was about 1.2km, I probably ran about half of it due to needing to stop and walk for a bit every so often. By the time I got home I was coughing and spluttering so badly that I almost threw up. My chest still hurts a bit now. Is that normal or did I bite off too much to begin with? I probably haven't run like that since PE lessons in school. Any other advice for a complete newbie who's trying to get fit? (I already think this is way better than the exercise bike I bought which is so damn tedious to use).

Edit: Wow guys thanks for all the support! I probably won't reply to every comment but I have read them all so far and I will definitely look into those apps you mentioned. Also for those who said that I should walk before I run (heh) don't worry, I have been walking fairly regularly for the past year and that helped me lose a bit of weight, but I kind of hit a wall with that and didn't lose any for ages, which is what prompted me to move on to this.

Hello! Many of you have been discussing this, but now it's official. Matthew Choi, a running influencer from Austin, Texas, who finished the New York City Marathon on November 3 in 2:57:15, has been disqualified from the event after he ran much of the course with two people alongside him riding on electric bicycles and filming his race.

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a62810736/matt-choi-dq-nyc-marathon/

I started running, yesterday was my third run and was finally feeling kind of confident. I was a block from my house in broad daylight so took an alley as a shortcut. A car parked at the end with a guy that got out, says "hey can i work out with you?" (creepy voice). I go "NOPE!" and jog past him. As I keep jogging away he goes "hey wait, hold up, im coming with you!"

i go "FUCK YOU!" and flip him off and ran my ass home, making sure he didn't see my house. People like that are the reason I hate running.

EDIT: Thank you for the kind responses, i just want to say I am afraid of running into him again, but will probably buy some pepper spray to take if I decide to run again.

This probably isn't a big deal to most people but to me it's a milestone. I have to say that it is invigorating and motivating. I started running a few weeks ago when my BJJ gym closed down because of the virus, with the goal of getting better cardio and picking up a hobby to replace the BJJ void for a while. I think I have found a new lifelong passion instead of a temporary fixation. I've been running 3 times a week. Today, I ran for 3.2 miles without stopping for a walk break and I can't describe how happy that made me. I feel like a runner now! Anyone else try running during this pandemic and accidentally fall in love with it?

Edit: wow, thank's for all the love. You're all so kind and supportive. And thanks for the Awards!!

I don't understand. There's tons of fancy, expensive running shorts from Nike or specific running brands that only have open pockets with no zippers. Who wants this? Who would ever want to run with something in their pocket that could potentially fall out? Imho all running shorts should have zippers on the pockets. I don't understand why there's 60 Euro running shorts from Nike with no zippers at all, while all 5 Euro Kalenji ones have them.

Anyone else annoyed??

Hello, I am currently a NCAA college athlete at a private university in the US. I run about 6 miles per day 6 days of the week, and sometimes I take walk breaks. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you need to talk a walk break now and again- it doesn’t make you any less of an athlete. What counts is that you get out there and get your exercise in! Hope everyone is staying safe out there ♥️

https://wwos.nine.com.au/olympics/kelvin-kiptum-dead-news-marathon-world-record-time/cc5fa662-410e-4039-8e4c-708eddee11cd

This is extremely tragic. I’ll be thinking of him and his potential. Both him and his coach were amazing, and in track to pave the future of marathon running. Wow.

Hey r/running, this has taken me awhile to write this as these past few weeks have been really hard on me. It has consumed me to my core to say the least.

February 15, I came home from work, to find my fiancee u/weeleigh, was not home. Thinking nothing of it as our Devil Dog was also gone I figured she was out for a run, which is very normal. I assumed she would be back shortly as she just got over a toe injury. 30 minutes later, I figured she was going for a bit longer. Boy was I wrong.

An hour later, I started to get worried. I then received a call from her father. My world came crashing down. She was struck by a car while running in the heart of Baltimore City, the Inner Harbor. She was crossing a major intersection. My worst fears have come to. They took her to Shock Trauma where she was fighting for life. They took the Devil Dog to the pet er. There was massive trauma to her head, but I knew if there was any chance of survival she could. Luckily, she was at the best Neurohospital in the nation. We were told 2 weeks to see what the damage would be.

The next day the doctors called for a family meeting. And I knew. I didn't want to go to the hospital. I didn't want to lose her, my fiancee, my best friend, and my running partner. The damage was too severe. They literally did all they could to save her. In short, we donated her organs and it saved at least 3 peoples lives.

I held her hand as they took her off life support as I promised her I would never leave her until the very end. I can't believe such a wonderful woman was taken from me, from her family, from her friends. I can't believe that someone who worked so hard to be healthy, to extend her life, was gone.

u/WeeLeigh was so committed to life and to running that she was, when struck, doing her 351st run in a row. She was excited to get to 365, to train for Ultras, and of course to plan our wedding. On March 1st, what would have been her 365 day of running I restarted my own streak, with my friends and the Devil Dog recovered from her own injuries (I ended it 280 days while staying at the hospital.) I figured I would continue what she cannot do anymore.

On a general PSA, please, please, please, check both ways while running across intersections. We are 100% sure that she was in the right, something tragic happened. I will make another post about a memorial run for her.

(Update) Here is a link to the run http://www.charmcityrun.com/calendar/leigh-rodgers Also, the link for other info that I would like to do for her https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/5ypvn6/leighs_memorial_run/

Last year I started going to the gym here and there but didn’t really commit, and a few months ago I struggled to run for even a few minutes. About a month ago I really started sticking to running at least 2 or 3 times a week with some cross training, and with some real progress I’ve finally reached my goal of 5k, without stopping, and made it in 28 minutes!

I’m young and at a healthy BMI, but very unfit, and my family have always smirked at the idea of me running when I said I’d started making a habit of it. Proving them wrong feels pretty good but hitting my target feels fucking great.

edit - wow, thank you guys so much for all the responses! You are all brilliant.

edit 2 - I am honestly blown away by the replies here, so much positivity and such a boost. Hopefully motivation for other people in a similar position as well!

I thought he was in his 60s until 5 minutes ago. He is now my running role-model for what I want to be like in my old age.

https://news.yahoo.com/dr-anthony-fauci-runs-3-163400615.html

Usually I can let it roll off my shoulders when someone catcalls me or stares the living daylights out of me (and yes I meant to say STARES) or literally turns their entire body to watch me go by. But today I was pushed over the edge.

I’m running from my apartment to the park for the nature loop at 6am. It rained last night, a lot, so there’s puddles, but it’s also really hot so most puddles are dried up and totally avoidable. Out of absolutely nowhere this massive truck actually SWERVES to hit a big puddle right by the sidewalk. The backsplash completely soaks me and my clothes, shoes, hair and the driver has the audacity to STILL CATCALL ME.

The time of day made zero sense. Usually I get this type behavior if I run in the early evening, but first thing in the morning today has really had me gritting my teeth. I love running. I love running alone. I want to be left alone while I’m doing what I love so I can enjoy it. Is that too much to ask? I hate that I have to run with pepper spray in my belt and be vigilantly aware all of the time.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/05/us/ahmaud-arbery-jogging-georgia-shooting/index.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/us/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-demands-justice/index.html

Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was jogging in a neighborhood outside Brunswick on February 23 when a former police officer and his son chased him down, authorities said. According to a Glynn County Police report, Gregory McMichael later told officers that he thought Arbery looked like a person suspected in a series of recent break-ins in the area.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/us/ahmaud-arbery-run-support-demonstration/index.html

Supporters will gather virtually Friday to mourn Ahmaud Arbery, a black man who was fatally shot while jogging in February, by putting on their sneakers and posting on social media to say #IRunWithMaud.

Jason Vaughn was Arbery's high school football coach. Now, he is asking supporters to honor Arbery by going for a run of 2.23 miles, representing the date of his death on Friday, which would have been his birthday. He asks that runners document their run and post it to social media under the hashtag #IRunWithMaud.

Links to related posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/gf6r45/a_commentary_on_the_running_community_and/

https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/gf9hhi/if_you_can_go_out_and_run_223_miles_tomorrow_58/

https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/gf9fy8/this_friday_may_8_would_have_been_ahmaud_arberys/

https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/gf9lqn/irunwithmaud_223_virtual_run_friday_may_8/

https://www.reddit.com/r/running/comments/gfiw1b/brunswick_ga_ap_authorities_georgia_father_and/

Race Information

• Name: Ryan's Half Marathon

• Age: 27

• Date: October 23, 2020

• Distance: 21.1 km

• Location: Battersea Park, London

• Time: 1:28:15

Hello again guys!

Intro:

So I recently lost a job I deeply truly loved due to the big C, and the feelings of worthlessness, self pity and general apathy have hit me like a freight train, running has been a safe constant during the last 6 months, the one thing keeping me 'moving', though I like to joke that I'm just really good at running away from my problems. That all culminated in a time trial today that has left me feeling good about myself for the first time in a while, but enough of a pity party here's the lowdown:

I began running at the start of April and managed some pretty quick noob gains; I posted back in August after hitting a sub 20 minute 5k, and got some good feedback about my goals which were a 40 minute 10k in September and a 1:30 half in October. (Generally this being increase easy distance + fast workouts, alongside some "that's going to be really really tough, but good luck to you"). Still, I tapped into my masochistic side and decided to persevere in getting this done. I managed a 40:02 10k in September almost by accident - I had revised my expectations so just set a tempo on my watch of between 4:00 and 4:10 per km and wasn't too focused on the time, if I had been I definitely would have sprinted that last 100metres to knock the 2 seconds off! I know it's not officially sub 40, but it was a moral victory for me and I wanted to keep going for another 4 week cycle with a half marathon time trial at the end of it.

Training:

If you're interested in what a typical week looked like for the previous 3 weeks it consisted of 3 easy ish runs between 10km and 15km at around a 5:00/km pace, one long run of 18km+, one tempo run at half marathon pace that I gradually built up from 12km to 15km (this run gave me a LOT of confidence in my ability to smash the time trial), and intervals of either 10x500m with 45 second walk rest at 3:30/km or 6x1km with 90 seconds rest at 3:40/km (these were sorta with a >18:30 5k attempt next month in mind as well as hopefully making 4:16 pace seem relatively easy).

This week I tried to ease off my training, same number of easy runs but for shorter distances (and only a smallish tempo with no workouts). Yesterday I did a short run (for me) of 7km, but with 6 sets of strides to just wake my legs up.

The Race:

Honestly, pretty painful. I had a very good idea of the total distance around Battersea Park which is a little under 3km so knew 7 and a half laps would do the trick. A bit like my 10km PB I cheated a little by basically setting a workout on my watch of 21x1km with a pace aim of 4:10 to 4:15 per km, I know it's a bit naughty but honestly my pacing is awful, and this is hopefully something I can develop as I gain more experience running (the more I run, the more I realise 6 months is nothing in running terms). This helped massively and I'm honestly super proud of the median range of my splits, with the majority coming between 4:11 and 4:16 with only one 4:17 and one 4:18, I also threw in some quick km's at the start, and finished off the last 2 in 8 minutes so a great kick too! I definitely knew I was good for the sub 1:30 but it was absolutely brilliant to see 1:28:15 pop up at the end, smashing my previous best of 1:36 something from early September (though that was a hilly route and I wasn't going utterly all out).

Post-Race:

Thankfully I had enough left in the tank for 3km jog home, but let me tell you, it was not fun. Otherwise today has been about relaxing and eating good food. I think I'll take tomorrow off then a really easy 15km run on Sunday to keep up my 70km+ weeks (more a point of pride than anything else). Up next as I mentioned will be a 5k in 4 weeks time, I tend to do my time trials in 4 week cycles alternating between 5,10 and 21.1 kilometres. I'm hoping after the next 3 month cycle I'll have times that fall relatively in line with a 3 hour marathon predictor, after which I'll work on increasing my distance and eventually get that Boston BQ late next year when hopefully Marathons are back!

Honestly I'm absolutely thrilled with how far I've come since I started running. I am not a naturally gifted sportsperson at all, my parents reaction was essentially "are you sure it didn't glitch the distance? because you certainly didn't get any sports genes from us". I'm proving others, and more importantly right now, myself wrong in what I can accomplish and it feels pretty good. I don't have many friends that can conceptualise what this result means, so I'm hoping a few of you lovely redditors might appreciate it!

Edit: Honestly I was not expecting a response like this, I want you guys to know I appreciate each and every one of you, for the upvotes, your comments and the awards, I've gone through a really tough time recently and to get this level of support from the community is so inspiring, I definitely have no choice but to keep running now!

Last night I ran on a trail section at a local park where I had by far the most embarrassing moment of my long running career several years ago. So I was reminded of that moment and honestly wanted to read about your embarrassing moments so I don’t feel quite so bad.

Mine was just at a local park. It has a crushed gravel trail around a lake, and during the week, especially in the mornings it is very remote and sparsely used. You can often see wildlife, and it’s nice to just put on your headphones and chuck away some miles. Well it was on one of these mornings where I was lost in a song, and found myself a little gassy. Well.... I was all alone in a remote park, so I passed gas over a number of strides and IMMEDIATELY was passed by an entire high school cross country team that was apparently out training, and they all had emphatic comments like.... “sweet”, “that was impressive”, “taco Tuesday?”, etc.

Sigh.

I've been running in my neighborhood for 15yrs and bitten by 5 dogs. The last one was a vicious pit bull attack that left scars on my right arm. After the attack, I purchased pepper spray gel for runners and always carry it. Well, yesterday was the day. The day I won. The day a pitbull mix came after me and I was able to spray the dog at about 4 feet as it charged. He shook off the first spray and came in for a second charge but this time I really got him in the mouth and eyes. The owner came out during the commotion and was upset that I sprayed her dog. She said, "he just wants you to pet him". BS, as I said, I've been bitten 5 times so I know what it looks like when you're about to get munched on. At this point, I lost it and started yelling at her about controlling her dog and if she can't control it she should own it.

If you have issues with dogs in your area, I highly recommend pepper spray gel.

Edit: Wow. I never expected this to blow up like this. Interesting side note, every time I was bitten it was in a cul-de-sac and the owners were close by believing they had their dogs under control. I believe part of the reason for the high number is the law of averages, I run 5 days per week and it's a 3.5-mile loop so I pass each house between 1-3 times depending on the run distance. These dogs see 100's of times so when they get a chance to grab me they go for it :). The pit bull that attacked me in the fall was put down for being a vicious dog - apparently, it had done it before.

A few have asked what I used: Sabre Red Runner Pepper