Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Joggers spitting - to think it’s unnecessary

81 replies

PoliticalPossum · 15/09/2024 09:07

As the title suggests.

Lovely walk this morning in my local national trust park. Big group of men and women (local jogging club) run by. Half of them hacking out massive globs of spit and spitting onto the path - not even off it which tbh is vile in itself - but straight onto the only path around the lake.

AIBU to think it it’s unnecessary and disgusting? I know asthmatics (such as myself) can struggle with excess phlegm - but for goodness sake, you do not need to spit. If you are struggling stop sodding exercising - don’t spit up all over the sodding path you grim wankers.

OP posts:
thereiscustardinthejamtart · 15/09/2024 10:09

i definitely think you should contact the club. What have you got to lose? It’s disgusting behaviour.

QuiteAnEpicFailure · 15/09/2024 10:09

LynetteScavo · 15/09/2024 10:07

I say "disgusting" whenever I see someone spit (unless they look like they might beat me up).

It's one thing I think I can guarantee my DC would never do.

I do the same! I can’t actually help verbalising my disgust if I see it.

DearGoldFish · 15/09/2024 10:08

QuiteAnEpicFailure · 15/09/2024 10:08

I find this incredibly hard to believe unless you never run in group runs or races/events.

Show quote history

i run alone and with two friends
and obviously have passed countless runners in my time

but never park run or similar

QuiteAnEpicFailure · 15/09/2024 10:08

DearGoldFish · 15/09/2024 09:32

runner for more than a decade

i could count on one hand the amount of times i have seen a jogger spit

and i’d have spare fingers left over after counting

I find this incredibly hard to believe unless you never run in group runs or races/events.

LynetteScavo · 15/09/2024 10:07

I say "disgusting" whenever I see someone spit (unless they look like they might beat me up).

It's one thing I think I can guarantee my DC would never do.

Dulra · 15/09/2024 10:06

YANBU I run and struggle with excess phlegm and runny nose. I always stuff tissues in pockets of my running leggings. Disgusting to spit it out on pavement imo no excuse

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 15/09/2024 10:05

It’s gross. I run over 1500km per year and never spit. Ew.

RonObvious · 15/09/2024 10:05

DearGoldFish · 15/09/2024 09:32

runner for more than a decade

i could count on one hand the amount of times i have seen a jogger spit

and i’d have spare fingers left over after counting

Am surprised by this, because I see it quite often. It is generally men, and I see it more in competitive situations (park runs and races) than in “general” running. Drives me insane - especially when you are running behind someone who does it. They’ve got no control where it goes when they are moving. Bleurgh.

QuiteAnEpicFailure · 15/09/2024 10:04

It’s disgusting I’ve been running for a very long time, I’ve run marathons ultra distance races and never one have I get the need to spit, or even worse blow a snot rocket.

if I’m ever running in a race or group run I can als most guarantee there will be some man spitting and snottering all over the place without any consideration for people around him.

SababaToo · 15/09/2024 10:03

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Didimum · 15/09/2024 10:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Spitting is gross, but please don’t perpetuate HIV transmissions falsehoods.

Original poster
PoliticalPossum · 15/09/2024 10:01

leopardski · 15/09/2024 09:59

OP I do agree with you, I’ve been running for donkeys and on busy race days I just find it so disgusting. I have such a physical reaction to other people hacking up, it makes my mouth start to water like I’m going to be sick!!

Was it an organised run?

Local running club! About 30ish people altogether. I was later than usual today as I usually try and avoid them - they all jog 4/5 abreast along the path to try and force others off it. Definitely won’t be late again!!

I have half a mind to email them (they have a website!!) but it’s not like they’ll do anything.

OP posts:
Didimum · 15/09/2024 10:01

I have only spat once during a run, when I came over very unwell and thought I might vomit. I ran into woodland off the path and spat behind a tree. I cannot stand people who spit in public. Runners are the second worst – top spot reserved for random men just walking around the streets and doing it.

INeedAnotherName · 15/09/2024 09:59

Oh sorry. I thought HIV etc was transmitted through saliva, not just blood. My mistake.

leopardski · 15/09/2024 09:59

OP I do agree with you, I’ve been running for donkeys and on busy race days I just find it so disgusting. I have such a physical reaction to other people hacking up, it makes my mouth start to water like I’m going to be sick!!

Was it an organised run?

leopardski · 15/09/2024 09:58

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HIV?? Give over

rolandthefarter · 15/09/2024 09:57

I do get a bit snotty when running, especially in cold weather. But I carry a tissue for this reason.

I've noticed it's only male runners that do this where i live.

INeedAnotherName · 15/09/2024 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

QueenAnnesHat · 15/09/2024 09:55

Were they all men? I remember learning as part of my study of Shakespeare at university that phlegm, one of the four 'humours' which governed your health, was considered to have masculine attributes, so spitting was a means of showing your masculinity. This was said to be why men continue to spit in public.

CheeseWisely · 15/09/2024 09:54

MouseofCommons · 15/09/2024 09:50

Yanbu. No one needs to spit ever.
Our parkrun director gets really arsey if runners spit.

I was aghast when ours started back up after Covid they added the rule 'no spitting in the finish funnel'. What kind of dirty pigs were spitting in the finish funnel beforehand?!? Confused

Bellatrixpure · 15/09/2024 09:51

if they need to do it they should do it away from the path and people. It must be awful to have that stuck in the throat

MouseofCommons · 15/09/2024 09:50

Yanbu. No one needs to spit ever.
Our parkrun director gets really arsey if runners spit.

Mikunia · 15/09/2024 09:49

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

Just because it's a natural response doesn't mean it can't be overcome. It is possible to swallow it and therefore they should because that is the less disgusting option. If they want it out of their mouth then they should carry a tissue and put it in there.

Spitting is absolutely vile and I immediately judge anyone I see doing it.

MonsteraMama · 15/09/2024 09:47

Only time I've ever spat while running is when a bug has gone in my mouth. It's wholly unnecessary and gross, and if you must do it, at least have the courtesy of gozzing snot everywhere off the fecking path.

SababaToo · 15/09/2024 09:45

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.