People commenting about more people running/walking or exercising

[Abreadsandwich]

I've seen a lot of people, on MN and other SM complaining commenting on more people out exercising.
Often assuming they are new to exercise or saying "they wouldnt normally go for a walk, so why now?"
Sometimes I wonder if it comes from almost a possessive point of view that maybe people who have always run, cycled or walked their dog in a particular area are noticing a lot more people.
I think the fact that theres barely anything else open or to do means inevitably people will want to go for a walk "for something to do outside the house" Added to the fact it's been really good weather.
Also people that might have walked/run/cycled their commute at either end of the work day might be exercising at a different time, and people that would normally go to a gym, swim or play team sports or tennis/squash for example are now running or cycling, so they've just changed the way they keep fit.
All the pics of sometimes not very crowded parks with people saying other people are selfish. Who decides which person is "right" to go out at that time? A lady on a local fb page commented how nice it was that the park was quiet when she went for her daily walk. But if 20 other couples/families/individuals happened to be doing their daily walk at the same time, who would be in the wrong...?
I'm not saying it's good that parks, footpaths and public places are crowded, and obviously it isnt great if everyone turns up at the same place at the same time but when people are saying look how crowded this place is or how many people are out, who is to judge who has the right to be there.
As an aside, I am a regular runner and have chosen to avoid the more popular footpaths, and go running at dusk to try to avoid people.

[ImPeckish]

The only unkind comments I've seen about people taking the opportunity to better themselves and start running are the regular 'proper' runners, saying stuff like: "They were huffing and puffing/not wearing proper gear/could tell they were c25k"

I've run for 4 years and have nothing but respect for anyone getting out and bit for their exercise, as long as we're all socially distancing we should be kinder about each other.

[Waxonwaxoff0]

Exactly. A lot of people are off work now or working from home, the children are off school so it's pretty much a given that more people will be using parks and open spaces for exercise.

I used to get my exercise by walking DS to school and then walking to work. I'm on furlough now so we're going to the park instead.

[YE420032c]

Running as an occupation is not "owned" by a special group of people just because they do it regularly. Many people are cooped up in small flats without yards or gardens so why should they not enjoy the outside spaces. We all pay Council Tax which goes towards maintaining parks and leisure facilities. The sports centers, swimming baths etc are closed at the moment so dont begrudge the use of the parks if there are more people there. So long as people exercise sensibly and maintain social distance there is no harm in it.

[nevergoingoutagain]

My neighbours thought I had taken up running but actually I always run in the daytime when they're usually at work. Don't forget more people are hanging round at home with time to look out the window!!

As a runner I'd say there's more families taking their kids for walks/ bike rides on the footpaths actually.

[nevergoingoutagain]

Also I'm doing C25k due to long term injury so I probably look crap while I'm running but in reality I've run up to marathon distance. I bet other runners judge me!!

[slipperywhensparticus]

I'm walking more because a, my gym is closed and b,my kids are getting zero exercise which translates into zero sleep for all of us and I dont do well with no sleep

[Unescorted]

The people taking up running / cycling / walking for the first time need a big cheer. Well done to them.

[hettie]

Yeah, the people who are hurrumphing at 'more runners' need to think about the 1000's who normally pay a team sport every weekend (and train in the week). In my sport we are in a local league and it must involve 1000's of physically active types. My sport is not even super popular. All those team sports players now have to turn to running or cycling...That's before you factor in gym goers etc..
So yeah I guess there are loads more exercisers out there, many of whom aren't new to exercise at all

[Abreadsandwich]

New exercisers and previously active - there is hopefully enough room for everyone if they dont turn up at a popular place all at the same time.(as long as people are not risking injury trying completely new things)
I feel lucky that my preferred sport is still available to me (although I know a lot of people dont feel the same about runners!)

[iVampire]

The only place I’ve heard negative comments is on MN

And I’m a member of several RL running groups and oodles online

[Makeitgoaway]

I think most of the combative comments I've seen have been those who've recently started going out for a regular stroll objecting to having to share the paths.

I find runners of any ability are very supportive of each other, especially beginners but I am a bit frustrated with people walking two abreast or in family groups across the whole path giving me daggers for wanting to get past.

I had a lovely run yesterday when it was chilly and damp. Only runners and purposeful dog walkers out, no strollers

I think it's great to see families out together btw but they do need to learn to share the space.

[puffinandkoala]

I find runners of any ability are very supportive of each other, especially beginners but I am a bit frustrated with people walking two abreast or in family groups across the whole path giving me daggers for wanting to get past

This.

It's not just MN by the way, my local canal authority has been imploring runners and cyclists not to use the towpath. I get the cycling thing, the roads are a lot quieter but I don't know why you should get turfed off the towpath based on how quickly your legs move. Apparently the runners (and cyclists) are all shedding the virus everywhere (but apparently not those out for a group stroll).

[Weatherforducks]

I think it’s wonderful to see people out and about. I drove to the supermarket the other day...and the walkers/runners/cyclists had taken over the country roads - and it was brilliant!

There was a post a few weeks ago about people buying up all of the veg/fruit seeds - and they must all be new to it and not know what they are doing (did they know how hard it was to grow tomatoes from seed?) and they are only trying their hand at it because of lockdown, and taking all the seeds away from those that know best - and what a waste of seeds. Well, I am one of those (not actually because of lockdown, but because we moved house and I wanted a bit of the ‘good life’ for myself...I know nothing and yet i’ve managed to grow everything I bought from seed (apart from garlic - it’s not shown it’s face yet!)

If this horrible situation enables people to get out, exercise more, enjoy the outdoors, appreciate nature and clumsily try their hand (like me) at something like growing your own...then that is a positive.

[Intruiged]

As a regular runner I salute the people just starting running, everyone was a beginner runner once. What I have noticed is the number of people walking has shot up exponentially. on my local neighbourhood app walkers clearly think runners should not be there and its quite nasty. I try to keep my distance but sometimes it's impossible when people insist on waking abreast. It's either disappear into a wall or fall into traffic. Everyone, waking, running, cycling should look out for each other.

[okiedokieme]

I'm running and cycling because I'm not able to go to my class and quite frankly I'm bored, there's only so much tv you can watch! We went on a 15 mile bike ride today, I admit that pre lockdown it would more likely have been a list of jobs, pub lunch and nipping to see dp's dd but the last 2 aren't possible and I'm doing housework during the week more because of wfh (housework is more interesting than work!)

[okiedokieme]

@iVampire

We've had complaints from residents about using the officially marked cycle path (the blue ones) some people don't like people who keep fit!

[FlamingoAndJohn]

I normally run at 6am. Now because I’m working from home I can go later.

[Pipandmum]

The biggest excuse most people give for not working out is time. Many people have more free time now or can schedule things differently with their partners at home, so it's great that they can start exercising! And true, those who would normally to to the gym are seeking alternatives.
I've definitely seen dogs walkers that I've never seen before, but I'm not going at my usual time.

[Annacarter]

I've probably been running more than usual just because my normal life is so active - walking to and from work, fairly physical job carrying heavy things and then often taking our dog to a hill for a good walk. I'm worried I will end up as wide as I am tall without my usual physical activity even if it's not officially "exercise!" I guess even things like maybe twice a week or more I'd walk to the nearest small supermarket briskly to pick something up, or into town for a coffee.

So I have admittedly gone from being an infrequent runner (although have done half marathons and marathons a couple of years ago) to a slightly less infrequent runner...but probably still burning less calories than a normal day!

[Abreadsandwich]

Yes I am running every other day and doing Joe wicks but in normal life I walked to the station and back and errands for work and probably climbed 8-12 sets of stairs in the day, which is activity without really thinking about it...as well as running.

[Abreadsandwich]

I went for a walk yesterday eve around 9pm and it was really eerie, not a soul around, and barely any traffic.

[Deelish75]

I live close to a park and over the last few weeks be seen loads of people who I’ve never seen before running past our house. Apart from one person (neighbour, a PE teacher and regular gym goer) I have no idea if they are new to exercise.

During normal times my DC and I walk home from school through the park so we’ve decided to do our daily exercise 3-4pm when they have finished homeschool - fits in with our normal routine - the joggers have been fine with us, in fact the only problem we’ve had has been three women walking abreast along the footpath showing no respect for others. (I’ve never seen them in the park at that time yet they came across as though we shouldn’t be there).

Also of a weekend DS has football training, DD has a swimming lesson and I also normally swim (40 lengths) once a week which we’re all missing out on at the moment so we’re in the park at the weekend too.

One thing that is pissing me off though is cyclists on the pavement - our road isn’t that busy at the moment but they still to whizz along on the pavement 😡🤷‍♀️

[mummillion]

I totally agree with the OP. I'd normally be at the gym . My four year old would normally be getting lots of outdoor play at nursery . My teenage dds would normally be getting a good outdoor walk to and fro school . Now all of that's stopped , the only option is to go round to the local park . As is everyone else doing .

[fascinated]

Well I am a bit miffed about dog owners out and about multiple times a day. It’s very busy even in our small town and it wouldn’t be as busy if everyone was only out once. Their choice to have a dog or dogs even mean they take up more of the “allocation” of outside space than others and that is not fair.

[GrumpyHoonMain]

Some people are dicks. Ignore.