I will be the first one to put up my hand and say that being a fat runner isn’t easy. I sweat more, get out of breath more quickly and don’t get me started on “jiggling”. In addition to those realities, there are some other unpleasant aspects to being a fat runner that I think are important to address.
Finding running clothes that fit:
While the world is getting better at putting out clothing options for larger women, finding great running clothes is still a challenge. I can’t count the number of times that I have walked into a running store and started flipping through the items on the rack, hoping that I would find an item in my size before the super fit looking salesperson came to ask if I needed help. Worst is when there just ISN’T something in my size and I have to do the “walk of shame” out of the store while the salespeople look at me sympathetically. More often than not I will opt to buy my running gear on-line, hoping that what arrives will fit and be comfortable. For the most part I stick to running tank tops (no need to fit my larger arms!) and running skirts or shorts for the most comfortable fit.
Sports bras are another challenge. Finding a sports bra that will ACTUALLY hold my girls in place while I am running has been a near impossible task. Options in several of the running stores I visited were limited to “light” or “medium” support bras, not the heavy duty support that I need. That’s if they even had the size I was looking for! On-line options weren’t much better. After trying multiple options, the best I have found is the Yvette Sports Bra for plus size women. It has maximum support and the sizes range from small to 5x. That said, I am sill on the quest for that perfect bra – and would love to hear if you have found one that works!
Facing the Judgement
For the most part I have found that the running community is amazing and supportive. I have never felt judgement from another runner and every one that I have spoken to has only had words of encouragement towards my running goals. Where I DO find judgement, is from non-runners. People I run by on the trails or on the street who give me the “look”. You likely know the one I mean – it seems to say “who are you kidding?!” Most of the time I get into the zone and ignore those people, but on a bad day I can’t help but notice and it can make motivating myself to get out there and run more difficult.
I should also note that often this perceived judgment that I feel from others is in my own head. The reality is we don’t REALLY know what someone else is thinking. Maybe they are thinking that they wish they had the courage to run like you. Maybe they are thinking about something else altogether and you just happened to catch the look. Or maybe the ARE judging you.
Whether the judgment you are feeling is real or perceived, the reality is that it is real to YOU. And it is something that a larger runner has to learn to deal with and get past. The struggle and challenge is real.
Joint Pain
Another side effect of being a fat runner is joint pain. It’s easy to be Rah Rah you can do it! (and you CAN!) but it is also important to acknowledge the specific challenges. If you are carrying extra weight the chance of experiencing joint pain are much higher. For this reason it is important to start slow, build slowly and make sure that you have the right equipment. And the most important piece of equipment is your shoes! You can check out my post on my favourite running shoes (I have been buying the same brand/model for over 12 years!) for some insight into finding the right shoe.
While joint pain isn’t a deal breaker, it is something that we need to acknowledge and plan for. If you want to ease into running in a low impact environment, consider pool running – you can build your running muscles and increase your cardio while protecting your joints. I discovered the joy of pool running while I was recovering from surgery – you can read my post about it for more detail.
It is also important to be really aware of what you are feeling and make sure you aren’t overdoing it. Joint pain can turn into more permanent problems so be aware of your body and what you are feeling and take a running break to heal and recover if you need to!
The Takeaways
I completely acknowledge that this post is a little more on the negative side, when I prefer to be positive. But I also don’t want to pretend that everything is awesome, when sometimes, it isn’t. BUT when those less awesome times hit, you have a community behind you! Reach out, talk to your community, get the support. And keep going. Because none of these issues are deal breakers, and none of them should stop you from being the runner that you want to be.
