My DH thinks I wbu, do you agree? People interrupting me whilst out running...

[Livingtothefull]

I know I am being a bit precious but here goes…

I live in an area which has a fair few tourists, this morning I was out for a run. There is one spot in the middle of the route where I have to run up a hill, I choose it purposely as it is v challenging to do.

I was running up the hill, just looking straight ahead and trying to focus and get up there. Then a couple approached me from the side & tried to ask me the way to somewhere (I think) but I just blanked them as I didn't want to stop and couldn't talk while running, not even to say 'Sorry can't stop'.

I did feel rude but then I thought, why ask a runner for directions when there are plenty of other people to ask? It was not an isolated spot, there were literally dozens of other people walking up & down the street. They did not look distressed, if I had thought there was any kind of emergency I would have stopped & helped….but I heard them giggling in amazement at my rudeness after I blanked them & ran past.

This has happened once before & I did the same thing. I told DH about it and he said they probably asked me because they assumed I was local. He thought I was rude and should have stopped, I said they should have known better than to try to interrupt a runner for a non-emergency. We had a bit of an argument about it & I said that they would never have done it if I had been a man, as they would have then assumed I was a 'serious athlete'.

WIBU? This is a genuine question.

Livingtothefull, I think you need to develop your non verbal communication skills!

Flipping the bird works a treat I find.

turtle your experience with that chugger made me on your behalf.

The other thing that winds me up is when those stupid clowns hanging about by the bus shelter start running along beside you to show off to their mates. I just love cranking it up a gear and hearing them struggle for breathe trying to keep up.

The piece de resistance is when I casually look over my shoulder and say " that's it - now keep it going for another 10 miles and I'll give you a medal"

Soon sorts out the men from the boys!

I also live in tourist central and could have written your post.

I just keep my headphones in And run on now. When I'm walking I'll fulfill the google map role but not when running.

I work just off Oxford Street and loads of people run in the area. I'm not sure why that's a problem Compos? Runners are probably the lowest hazard to pedestrians vs buses, crossrail construction, cyclists and ambling gangs of tourists.

Where are people who live in the city supposed to run? I run in the evening in my busy area of London along narrow streets often crossing traffic. I don't barrel into walkers - I dodge them. Occasionally they anticipate get out of my way and they get a thank you gesture. I'm not sure where else I'm supposed to run. Parks are closed.

Running is a cheap and easy way for people to get fit and improve their health. I think it's a real shame there is so much anti running sentiment on this thread.

I probably would have said sorry and continued running. Stopping while running uphill would mean loosing momentum. Hill starts can be tricky

As a runner mostly I don't stop/walk unless a) I'm having a crappy run or b) I'm doing timed sprints

chandler

Your posts get older and dafter. I really should leave it, but your arrogance and demeanor of 'I've never heard of something it can't be real' beggars belief has riled me.

You've never heard of a strawman argument before. Fine. But if you'd taken 30 seconds to follow the link in my previous post you'd have seen it explained to you via a reputable source and would see it is completely unrelated to the legal term 'man of straw'

Well, after you've finished policing th

legal terminology For the thousandth time, I've used a known term that is used in everyday conversation, on discussion boards and in academic circles.

would like to tell my employers? if you are employed in any capacity by a legal firm, I hope you don't exhibit any of the faulty logic, sloppy reading, high handedness and lack of critical thinking at work. If so, I wouldn't engage you to argue the toss over a 30 quid parking ticket.

Compo, you need some stress relief! Maybe running would help you...

I think negative attitudes towards runners, such as those expressed by Compos, are actually quite widespread. And could have a lot to do with the obesity epidemic in the UK.

For example, Compos has come right out and said she doesn't get why people would run down a busy city street at rush hour. I was naive enough to think that most people understood that running is a healthy and cheap way to get to work - rather than something you can only do in a park or on a track - but perhaps not.

After years of inactivity, exercise is now something completely interwoven into my life. I run to and from work when I can; I run on lunchtimes when time allows. Otherwise I'd never get chance to do enough training. I don't have much spare time.

Exercise isn't something that happens just in Lycra, in a gym, at alloted hours, it should be seen as part of everyday routine. It's not hard, for most people, to take a rucksack and run all or part of their way gone from work. When I worked an hour's commute away I could do it by getting the train halfway and running the rest, for example.

But some of the attitudes on this thread are really depressing. It's not that surprising that so few people do even 30 mins of exercise a day when runners on the streets are seen as an annoyance.

I think a lot of these negative attitudes are simply jealously, that someone else is better disciplined and fitter, and the complainer wishes they were too, but rather than try to lift themselves up to a higher level of achievement, they denigrate the achievements of those around them.

Oh definitely some sour grapes here!

It is much easier to denounce runners as dangerous obsessive nuisances than to admit that actually exercise is beneficial and face up to the difficulty of doing any ?

Compos - Barelling into someone does imply physical contact.

Chandler - I don't think Compos has used and legal terms.

They were unreasonable to stop you in the circs - of course they were!!

I'm sorry I didn't intend to imply physical contact. It wasn't my intention what I meant was pelting along and not deviating from their course.

compos would like to tell my employers? if you are employed in any capacity by a legal firm, I hope you don't exhibit any of the faulty logic, sloppy reading, high handedness and lack of critical thinking at work. If so, I wouldn't engage you to argue the toss over a 30 quid parking ticket.

Thanks very much. Fortunately, I'll be taking as little notice of the nonsense you spout here as your advice on how to run.

FWIW, the "strawman argument" and "ad hominum" expressions you tried to use in an attempt to exaggerate the impact of what you are saying, a bit like the "barrelling" comment, are legal expressions. I cannot see the point in your using them, and I cannot see the point in your above comment, other than to try and cover up your own red face. I don't deal with parking ticket cases, however when I did do private client work, we generally excised out the oddball clients, as its simply not worth the effort.

Charis1 I think a lot of these negative attitudes are simply jealously, that someone else is better disciplined and fitter, and the complainer wishes they were too, but rather than try to lift themselves up to a higher level of achievement, they denigrate the achievements of those around them

Yes, the "shits and giggles" comment...

As for not running in the city, or at times when the pavements might be busy with commuters - what are city workers meant to do for exercise? How is clogging up roads and public transport preferable to using the pavements? Where is this rule that those in the city must only run in parks, or at designated times? Its so totally impractical if you want to lead a healthy life. So yes, I do find it shocking when people come out with statements that fly in the face of all medical advice and common sense, and then try and defend them with abuse and made up, exaggerated stories.

Sadly for some people, I think exercise is seen very much in that way, something done only in an artificial, specialised environment or possibly as something you can buy, in terms of a gym membership or a pt session. There was an off-road cycle track near me, and often you would see people driving to it, taking their bikes out of their car and then cycling off. I admire them more than the people not doing anything, but its sad that they wouldn't consider cycling on the roads to get there (which were pretty quiet).

I think a poster also denigrated runners who were "focussed". Can someone explain to me what is wrong with being focussed? While we may not all be Mo Farah, London is actually a base for many top British team athletes (and even Mo Farah had an altercation while training in Richmond Park!), but focus is something you train to achieve, and most people consider it a good thing.

FWIW, the "strawman argument" and "ad hominum" expressions you tried to use in an attempt to exaggerate the impact of what you are saying, a bit like the "barrelling" comment, are legal expressions*

They really aren't legal expressions.

'A strawman argument' I've explained many times, most undergraduate students will be familiar with it.

an ad hominem attack is also widely used in everyday contexts, otherwise known "as playing the man not the ball."

Barrelling is a colloquialism for travelling at speed. I accept it led to an ambiguity I hadn't intended.

But if you wish to continue to make yourself look rather silly, please continue.

Chandler doesn't look silly. In fact, I'm willing to bet that Chandler looks shit-hot.

Most of us runners do. Nothing quite like it for getting toned up and super-slim

Absolutely. Join the Run Mummy Run group on Facebook. Some of the mums on there have posted "before and after" photos. They are amazing. Ladies who were size 18 are now a size 8 and can run a sub 4 hour marathon. Stunning transformation.

Me on the other hand - I started running in 2010, well I weigh the same, or marginally more, but I look better, am fitter and can eat a lot more without feeling guilty. You don't have to be an "exercise nut job", you can run 3 miles twice a week and see a magnificent transformation.

As for running on the pavement, well I don't think runner have any less right to clog up the pavement than commuters walking very very very slowly!

If a group of super-fit people were heaping scorn upon a group of sedentary grumblers in such a manner it would be considered unbearably rude.

You don't have to be an "exercise nut job", you can run 3 miles twice a week and see a magnificent transformation.

I recently started running and am awaiting the magnificent transformation.

I won't run on my own. I can't take the cat-calling on streets. Parks are okay but it takes between five and 10 minutes to run to my nearest parks so I run with DH or on a treadmill at the gym.

My gym is rather nice. There are a number of serious male runners and lifters there but they are mostly very polite and helpful - especially if someone has tightened something too much for me. They always make room and share equipment - I prefer free weights to the machines.

I remember an early day with DH when I was just starting to get fit. We were running down a busy road close to home and I was very tired and longing to stop.

He had a problem with his shoe so told me to carry on and he'd catch up. I now know that he knew that to stop would have meant I'd have completely broken down when I'd done really well and was in sight of the end.

I chugged on and got twin abuse from arseholes in a car following me and two arseholes walking towards me because they thought I was alone.

DH ran up and confronted the men on foot who scuttled off when they realised I was with a man and so wasn't available for casual abuse .

And yes, they were fat bastards too.

Oh, and my gym isn't a pick-up joint. Nothing against that if that's what you want, but I wasn't looking for that in my previous gym and didn't appreciate being hit on.

I don't mind being patronised by men who can't do the pull-ups I can do though

Sorry that you've had such a bad experience Limmited
I've been running outdoors for the past 6 months or so, 3-4 x per week, couple of hours per session, I run on the pavement by the road and on a paved area used by walkers, cyclist & other runners, no problems at all.

I also cycle and have had a few people behaving unpleasantly towards me, but it's still pretty rare

I have been running on & off for years….love the way it makes me feel. But I have been neglecting myself as have had some personal issues including some concerns with my DS.

I am trying to prioritise myself now….however it is bad enough that running is something that my DS will never be able to do. I feel bad and guilty enough about that. It is a shame that added to that many individuals evidently seem to have such a problem with runners. I would love to feel unequivocally good about running.

Wtf how does this thread have so many posts?

It should be 'OP : did I upset these tourists', and 3 or so random responses of no, yes, maybe, why do you give a f&ck about these random tourists? And end.

Instead there are 275 posts of randomness with some of the most petty ramblings I've ever read. If someone is healthy enough to get out there and pound the pavement then GOOD FOR THEM. Anyone trying to put them down for trying to better themselves, feel good and treat themselves with respect can, in my opinion, do one.

suzannecanthecan I feel self-conscious running on the road. I think I might live in an area overpopulated by arseholes.

We have a pull-up bar in the kitchen doorway for fun. We are under 5ft 10ins.

We also have gravity boots but I can't use them alone in case my legs get tired and I end up hanging like a bat until DH comes home because I can't reach the floor and get free.

Two tall men delivered a kitchen appliance last week and, as always, I warned them to duck.

They joked that I wouldn't be able to use it.

I have thighs of steel and could give them cauliflower ears if I wanted.

I said, if I wanted...