To think you don't ask a runner for directions

[Nocabbageinmyeye]

I find this so annoying, out running this morning and a car stops to ask me directions, it's not the first time it's happened, I'm not the only one around, why would you stop the person clearly out for a run instead of someone clearly out for a leisurely stroll or go into the local shop. I stopped this morning as I was only into the second km but last time I was almost home after a 10km and the colour of a tomato so just said "ah come off it"as I kept running. Why would you do that, aibu to think it's rude? It's annoying anyway I know I'm not unreasonable in saying that

Id be ok with it but not if they don't say thanks. The amount of people who don't say thank you winds me up!

I run 5k in 22 mins (not sure why that's relevant-are faster folk more selfish?!) and would only stop if someone was in distress/injured or something.

Ok, actually if I was running up a hill in poor weather and someone lost was likely to come to harm, then I'd stop and help.

if you find it irksome to stop then dont stop, no-ones going to rugby tackle you to the ground and make you stop are they?

I run and have no issue with being stopped, doesn't happen that often and it's nice to help.

My usual is being asked and I am apologetic as I don't recognise the road and can't help, then later run past that road and think oops I'm always on this one why can't I ever remember what they are called!!

I've never been stopped by a stranger needing directions. Well, one may have attempted it at some point but my headphones are always on max and I am very likely to just run on past. I need to properly zone out - even skipping tunes using my headphone control can break my rhythm. In my head, my runs are a repeated stream of 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4....(I sometimes do 1-8 for a change).

I thought 5km in 22 minutes was relevant because I could understand that being an excruciating pace to sustain and something you couldn't face returning to as soon as you got a break from it. :).

You people don't seem to understand that this is exactly the same as interrupting a brain surgeon. Look, I' m wearing Lycra and fancy shoes, I've got headphones on, I'm carrying a water bottle. Do I have to add a sign saying RUNNER before you get out of my way?

I would always stop and help someone when running, would pause my watch first of course but I wouldn't ignore someone who was lost or struggling in someway.

remember that you are no more important than anyone else and display a bit of humility.

Same goes for the people who are lost, surely?

But the op isn't saying that people shouldn't ask for directions - just that they should ask some other pleb who is obviously doing something far less important than going for a run.

But if there are other people around, why would you approach the runner?

It's different if there's no-one else around, then yes, you would.

Richard - Do point out what is so "stupid" about my post. Here it is, awaiting your constructive criticism:

CoteDAzur Sun 04-Sep-16 09:00:52
YANBU. I invite those handing out biscuits to try running for just 5 minutes before passing judgement.
Once you realize how hard it is, you might think twice before stopping someone working on achieving a difficult goal.

I don't think there are any runners who are not also walkers - surely if they are so selfish they would also be unhappy to be asked directions while walking, which I strongly suspect not to be the case.
I'd a long chat at a bus stop with someone asking directions yesterday - the clue to my ease being that we were both standing still

I am a runner of 20 years. I would be happy to help someone who asked me for directions. You're being weird.

There's a lot of wilful misunderstanding going on here. It's not that runners think they're more important than anyone else and they certainly aren't exempt from having to be considerate to other park/road/pavement/countryside users.

Obviously if A is out for a run and comes across B having a cardiac arrest or being mugged, A will stop to help. But if B is just standing around looking a bit helpless, and C, D and E are in the vicinity standing at a bus stop with no bus in sight, why would B approach A rather than C, D and E? That's the conundrum here.

Disclaimer: I'm not a runner. I'm married to a running nut and I know a good many, though. They are all lovely people and not 'parkrun thugs'.

Once when I was our running I witnessed a car crash and ended up pulling the driver out of his upside vehicle. I then ran about a half a mile and knocked on someone's door and asked to use their phone to call for an ambulance. (It was the 1980s).

I've also been asked for directions numerous times. It's a bit annoying, but if I can help, then I will. It's less annoying than being spat at, sworn at, shouted at, chased by dogs and/or feral youth, having things thrown at you and generally being abused by people who for some reason think it's funny and clever to act like twats.

Recently while out for a run I found £10 :). So it's not all bad.

I just can't imagine not wanting to help someone. It doesn't cost anything. But you obviously see yourself above those people or something. Very strange attitude which I've never encountered before. I do work in care though so I am usually around people who like to help.

I also wonder if some people assume - rightly or wrongly - that runners will know the area so be in a better position to give direction.

Well yeah. An Olympic runner maybe.... What's your policy on if they run along side you while asking directions?

I was once driving DS to a cricket match and the postcode gave a very large general area and we couldn't find the club. Middle of nowhere. Only person around was - a runner. So flagged him down and asked where the cricket club was. He was mightily pissed off and said he didn't know.

10 mins later we had found the cricket club and guess who came running past? I gesticulated at the clubhouse ironically. Lost on him though, I fear.

Yeah I'd stop. I know what the OP means, it's a bit annoying to get put off your stride but I figure if someone tries to stop a runner then most of the time they must be in need of help.

As a side note: yesterday I was actually stopped on the road, on my bike and on quite a long climb! It was by another cyclist and he crossed the road and stood partially in the middle of the road with his bike (3 cars passed and loathed us with all their might! I could tell!) all to ask me a question about my wheels!!! I was annoyed at having to stop mid-climb, unclip, yaddah yaddah... But more mortified and terrified at his complete lack of concern for road safety.

I guess my point is that hopefully most "stoppers" do it Because they feel they really do need help and you're the only/ first person they see but there will always be some numpties out there!

You runners must be running with your friendly and approachable faces on, big mistake

I'm a runner and I don't particularly mind people asking directions. The one exception was when some tool on a pushbike approached me saying "I don't want to stop you" -even though he just had- and then asked me directions to a nearby village while he still had his iPod earphones in. I gave him his directions via an unnecessary 700 foot climb.