Scared to meet new running group today

[Brit]

Last week I got invited to run on Mondays and Wednesdays with a new running group. I don't know anyone in the group except for the girl who invited me (and I don't know her well at all) and she is much faster than me. I'm terrified. Like trying to rationalize not showing up kind of terrified. There are about 60 people on the email distribution list, somebody who is as slow or slower than me will show up, right? Eeeek!

I "know" it will be good for me to run with other people more often (right now I only do on Saturdays). And I "know" that running with faster people will probably make me get faster in the long run. I hope they don't laugh at me as I eat their dust.

[katinthehat]

you will so not be the slowest person out there!

[gt7301b]

Whispers .... You aren't slow:)

[joenali]

May 13, 2013 8:09:54 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

Whispers .... You aren't slow:)

This.

[mcc]

You're not slow at all and they're bound to be people slower than you! Have fun!

[Brit]

On the bright side, I may meet some more runners. I was just looking at the results of the Indy 500 Mini Marathon, and there were almost 300 people from my (fairly small) town that ran the race. I know very few of them. I bet these are some of them.

Also, the running group that I'm going to meet today (if I don't wuss out) is **H's Office Building** Running Club. How did he never mention them to me? When I got invited, I was all "H, you didn't tell me that your office building (across the street from mine) had a running club." And he was all "I didn't know that you'd want to know that."  WTF H? You dropped the ball on that one.

ETA: Believe me, I'm really not fast compared to many of the ladies on this board and probably not many of the ones in this running group.

[Deleted]

Have fun! Sounds like a great opportunity.

[kams]

Oh my gosh Brit, you will not be on the slow end!! Have a great time, and come back and tell us how it went!

[taratru]

I get it...it's a lot of the reason why I don't join a group here.

But you'll be fine! a) you're not slow and b) you're not slow.

[breezy8407]

You are not slow!

I am scared to join a running group, too. There are a few around, but I hate joining new things not knowing anyone.

[Brit]

May 13, 2013 9:11:48 GMT -5 taratru said:

I get it...it's a lot of the reason why I don't join a group here.

But you'll be fine! a) you're not slow and b) you're not slow.

If you are advocating that I join a group because I am not slow, then you need to put on your big girl panties and go find yourself a running group. Just sayin'.

[taratru]

May 13, 2013 9:15:45 GMT -5 Brit said:

If you are advocating that I join a group because I am not slow, then you need to put on your big girl panties and go find yourself a running group. Just sayin'.

Yeah, yeah. 

[tuggyruns]

I was the slowest on the weekday morning runs in my running group at first, however, someone always stayed with me and eventually I convinced more people from the weekend runs to run in the morning with me AND I got faster!

[thom]

Of course I say go for it! It may push you out of your comfort zone, but I'm still certain you won't be the slowest. Make sure you still work in some easy runs, but pushing yourself against a faster group will probably be just what you need for your fall marathon goal.

P.S. I would be nervous too, so I totally get where you are coming from.

[gumi]

Fast groups are usually small - no way there are 60 fast people unless its a college team. I bet you will be one of the faster females there!

[ebeth]

what's the worst that can happen? you'll be last. so what?

and even though the woman who invited you is much faster than you, you've run with her before, yes? she has some idea of your speed and invited you anyway, so they prob aren't going to be a-holes about it or anything.

[secretlyevil]

I was really hesitant about joining a running group. It's only been a couple of months but I love it! The coaches and everyone is really awesome, it's not clicky nor does it matter how fast or slow you are. Give it a shot, what do you have to loose? Even if you decide you're a loaner, at least you tried, right? Don't be scared. You'll be fine.

[trigal]

Who cares if you're the slowest? They won't judge you. And if they do, then why would you want to be part of a group that snubs anyone?

I write this as someone who HAS been the slowest runner or cyclist in a group.

[cinco]

Do it! I would love to have a running group, but don't live close enough, don't have child care, whine whine whine. Take advantage.

[shorty20]

You'll be just fine, have fun!

[Brit]

ebeth, no, I haven't run with her. I have meetings with her now and the. At work. At our last meeting she mentioned that she saw me out running the night before and invited me to run with the group.

gumi, good point!

[Wines Not Whines]

I totally understand. A local running store hosts runs twice a week, and I've thought about going, but never worked up the nerve. I would literally not know a single person there though.