I found your post upon googling "embarassed to be running slow." Haha. So I relate. I'm a female in my twenties who's reasonably skinny, so I should be running faster than I am-- but I'm not. I get self-conscious about this sometimes, but the fact is, no one really cares. I've been in better shape other times in my life, and I've been the one running fast (not for long amounts of time, but still)-- and honestly, the only thing I have for the slower runners is respect. Runners belong to a different kind of mentality-- anyone who's running at all is part of the club, whether you're going 15:00 minutes a mile or 5:00. Non-runners have respect for runners in general-- just to be getting out there and working out gets respect from my friends.

Also, no one can tell how long or how fast you've been running before this. You could have run 10 miles and this could be your cool down-- who knows? I'll see one girl going really slowly one day at the park where I run, and then another day she'll totally lap me. Serious runners vary their workouts, and other serious runners know that. So there's a lot of factors.

Way to keep running!

(PS, nice job on buying the running pants, I find that wearing serious looking clothing boosts my confidence).

Reaaly loved this entry on your blog. You have a lot to be proud of. Great blog.

Sometimes it's hard to appreciate how far you've travelled. The weight loss alone is amazing, but your half-marathon time deserves a little champagne.

Part of the trick is just keeping a good record - so you can see progress instead of only future challenges.

What a journey you have had! That is awesome, keep it up!

Running is so rewarding and sometimes when you have an awful run it's easy to get discouraged. That's great that you have a positive attitude and such dedication!

I found during my training that some of my short runs were way harder than my longer ones. It probably is due to over training, being tired, not eating or sleeping enough or some other random reason. You are smart to not let it get you down, because in another run or so, you'll have a great one. Some times it just takes a bit of detective work to figure out what makes a run bad...and some times there is no real reason.

Way to o Ron. We're all proud of you for not giving up when it would have been soooo easy to do so!

Great Job Ron! It is guys like you who inspire me. Thanks for sharing your story.

Glad you kept on! I thought of you the next day on my trail 10 miler and said, if he was hurting that bad early on I can push on myself! So thanks for the inspiration.

Flushing NY is a long ways from Flushing MI or I would come out and run with you :)

Congrats Ron! The only losers are thosewho don't make it to the start line. If anyone gives you a hard time, just invite them to join you! You runner you!

PS--My half marathon is in Flushing Meadows Park April 3....you should come out and cheer us on! 9:13 start time for runners.

I'm impressed that you kept it up. I find that on all my runs, the first 3 miles about kill me, but if I keep going, the burning legs ease up and I start to feel good. I've read that some people just take a bit to get warmed up.

Great job on your first half marathon! I have my first next weekend (I've actually walked two others, but this will be the first that I attempt to run the whole way).

I'll make you feel better and tell you my avg pace is about 10:15-10:30, but I know I'm a girl. So, a couple of guy running friends I have have avg paces in the 8-9 minute range-and both are fit and in shape. When you watch somebody run outside, it is impossible to tell how fast they are going--tall people look like they are going much slower than they are because their legs are longer and a shorter person usually looks like they are going a lot faster than they really are. I guarantee nobody would be able to tell whether you are moving slow or quick, so don't worry about it--at least you are out there moving!

I would love to have a running club or at least a running partner. the club is out of the question, the closest one is 70 miles away. A running partner maybe as the weather gets better I will meet someone to run with. In winter there is no one out running...

You need to join a running club.....

Love your site. Just started following you on Twitter. First ever races are a BLAST, but don't put too many expectations on them (*see Modesto Midnight Half Marathon on my blog*)

Great blog...
~Ms.V

You're right - that will be a rough little training schedule. But - it should adequately prepare you to finish. Best of luck!

You are not alone in your search for funness. This is a common malady that strikes all of us at some point during training.

Some ideas for you - are you training for a race or something that gives some purpose to the drudgery of running? If not, pick one (one with good bling, or a good post race food setup, etc.) and use it for a little motivation. One other idea is to choose a training plan that mixes things up so you aren't just putting in seemingly hollow miles. One that I like to use if I have no particular race I'm training for is Hal Higdon's Spring Training plan: http://www.halhigdon.com/spring/Springintro.htm

Good luck!

I wish I could give you advice about making it fun--I started in September and have yet to really like it--although I do love the effects. And I have to admit I've never been sorry I went out for a run afterward.

Wow-that's crazy! I would not have dreamed it would make that much difference so quickly.