I’m a 25 year old female living in Coventry, UK. I’ve been been running since early October 2010 after getting fed up of feeling fat and ugly. I feel like my life is just taking off and want my body to reflect that. In March 2011 I’m due to run my first 5k race. I’m aiming to do a 10k by the end of 2011. Running is hard for me, being short and overweight, but I can do it, am doing it, and am (kind of) enjoying it.
I’ve started blogging to provide information to and hopefully inspire others to follow me. I’m hoping to track my running journey as well as provide advice and guidance to others, answering the questions I had when I started like will people stare at me? (No) Will I be able to get run wear to fit me? (Yes) Even with my chunky arms? (Even with your chunky arms, yes).
Why Fat Girl Running? Because that’s how I feel when I’m out on a run. I feel incredibly self-conscious every time I start, no matter how much weight I lose or how much quicker I get. I think a lot of women will identify with that, even if they’re not particularly overweight. When you first go out you do feel silly and you do feel like everyone is looking at you. But that’s something I always get over within a matter of minutes, and I’m sure that anyone else would too. I’m sure that with a little bit of practice anyone can enjoy running as much as I do, even on the days when your head just isn’t in it and you’d much rather have a nice sit down.
If you have any more questions or want my opinion on anything I haven’t yet covered please do e-mail me on [email protected] and I’ll be happy to chat.
Hello
I just came across your blog and I have to tell you it is very inspirational! I have lost 68 pounds and I still have lots more to go. I started the c25k today and it was tough. I started thinking that I was crazy to start this program while being overweight. It’s not often you see fluffy chicks running down the road!
Thanks for sharing your journey.
Good luck on your first 5k later this month. I really empathise with you as I am also a short and rounder runner than most, and I was incredibly self conscious about it but the more I run, the less that seems to matter. I am doing my first 5k this coming weekend and if I get round in 50 mins that will be good going for me – my vow is just to jog it and not walk. Keep up the excellent blog.
Hi there
Been reading through your blog and amazed at your achievements well done! Came across it while researching running. I started running in May last year, mainly to tone up and bought a book with a plan in to help me. I still remember that first run, thought I was going to die at the end of it! I have an ankle injury so have to do short runs with walking inbetween, and have managed to get to 3km in the local area. Hope you don’ t mind but have mentioned this blog on my blog, will remove it if you aren’t happy with this though! Good luck with your progress and I will keep reading!
I found your blog because I need some new running clothes. Trying and failing to find any normal sizes, I typed “running clothes for fat women” in my search engine and found you! You have put a smile on my face this evening. So thanks for that and good luck with the training.
I love your blog! You have a great attitude and a wonderful dedication to your running. If you need more inspiration and another person in your cheering section join me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/joe.nimrichter
Joe Nimrichter
great blog, you’re really inspiring, keep it up. I got 6 stones to lose and just started running 8 weeks ago (well slow jogging, still only doing 3k in half an hour), but hoping to keep progressing. Please always keep blogging and running!
I’m going to start the C25k tomorrow and I’ve got about 10 stones to lose. I appreciate what an inspiration you are and how comfortable you’ve made me feel about being a fat girl runner too.
I love this blog! I recently started running after blowing past my “oh crap” weight. Did C25K a couple of years ago and hated every minute, but last week I ran 10 miles without stopping! It is so refreshing to read a running blog written by someone who struggles with it as much as I do. Keep it up!
Hi
Found your blog by accident, but loving reading it, I am also a fat girl running, been running for a while, but have decided (very scarly) to sign myself up for the great south run in Portsmouth in October!! 10miles is currently feeling a very very long way, especially as only managing 3 -4 miles at the moment.
Loved you bit about looking at the previous result times on races before you enter them, I DO THAT! (thought I was the only one) just to make sure I won’t come in last
Keep up the good work and enjoy the rest of the summer holidays
XX
Thank you for this blog! I’m on week seven in the c25k training. When I first started, I could not run a minute without feeling like I’d fall out. Now I’m doing 2 miles in 25 minutes. I have nearly 9 stones (I think that’s right – 120lbs) to lose and while I haven’t lost a single ounce since beginning to run, my body is definitely refiguring itself. Your blog is an inspiration!
Genia
Atlanta GA