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

Sorry navy I posted and then fecked of! My comment you questioned was "if I stop running I die"

Explanation is that I am the world's most piss poor runner. I absolutely hate it and it takes all of my mental capacity to just get my arse out and then home again. In my experience, if I stop running before my front door, I die on my arse. Legs turn to lead, bum hits the deck and I'd probably need someone to carry me. I am not a natural runner.

If I were to be asked for directions then I would feel compelled to stop and be helpful and then I'd be a dead, red, disgusting heap on the pavement probably wholly unable to speak clearly enough for someone to follow my directions. If I tried to say "sorry" I'm so slow I'd hear them insulting me for the next 25 minutes

So, IMO. Don't stop runners, I'm shite at it and it would kill me. My FIL is former pro and he'd be past you and out of ear shot before you finished saying "excuse me"
DH would be really pissed off because he would most likely be doing interval training and BIL would just tap his headphones and sweep on past.

Am also thinking there are two types of runners - those who find the stop start thing easy and so don't mind being stopped and those who find it bloody hard, and I can see why you don't mind stopping if you find it easy to get going again but for those of us who don't - have a little empathy, we are running a daily battle with our inner voice that just wants us to stop and have a tea and cake instead or at least just walk home but we have insisted on going the distance despite our bodies protestations - don't support the inner voice, please don't interrupt us...,it's too hard to get started again! And if you don't find it hard to get going again - respect and envy.....regardless of my training, stopping plays too many tricks with my mind.

I ran yesterday. I was so close to giving up, I can't tell you. I was on the treadmill but could have been outside. If it wasn't tipping down. Sheer willpower kept me from stopping. It's not self-importance that makes it difficult to stop and restart. Believe me, I don't run feeling self important and entitled but desperate and in pain.

I'd ask a runner because it's obvious they know the area
I don't know the area I run in. I go to a specific running trail out of my area because it's a good route. I could direct someone back to where my car is parked but that's about it

I often run in places I am not familiar with, most obviously when on holiday. Asking for directions would be pointless.

Oh Yes. When visiting the in-laws - I always get lost when I go for a run around the back streets....huge housing estates with seemingly no escape route....I will often phone dh to get me out, that way I don't have to stop and consult GPS - dh tracks my phone - which is very handy, if not a little creepy to some!

ha! I keep thinking thread is divided between those who think "twat / cunt" is the ultimate insult, and those who actually mean to deliver the ultimate insult with "You don't understand because you're not working hard enough."

Why would anybody do something that regularly left them desperate & in pain?

Exercise isn't supposed to be torture, and doesn't need to be torture. fwiw, I found running stopped being torture if I went running at least 3x a week.

I feel it's fine to tap the headphones & keep going... but some of this is just plain sheer resentment that people even dare to ask.

The running gurus I follow say intervals are best done in a pattern of alternating high-low intensity (from very high effort to relatively low). The low is essential to get any benefits from the high intensity. So stopping briefly is fine in principle. Interrupting a tempo run is much more disruptive, but posters keep citing interrupted intervals rather than tempo runs... which makes me wonder if they really know what they are talking about wrt effect on training.

Does it really matter if the runners aren't running properly? This is the most bizarre accusation yet. Running is hard, people just starting out are quite likely to take any excuse to stop (e.g. someone asking directions), and if you happen to get into a good spot it's pretty frustrating to stop.

We have a treadmill in our basement and everyone understands that you're never to talk to anyone on it, barring a bona fide emergency. It's just a reasonable way that we all support each other in our fitness efforts. We never had a discussion about it, it's just common sense.

I would not be impressed if someone stopped me while I was running. I am trying to build up my non-stop running times, I'm following a particular plan, and stopping would basically mean writing that day's run off

Look. If you really MUST interrupt a runner over everyone else in the vicinity, then just do it. Interrupt them. You're entitled to, after all. You're important.

You now know what most of them think. They're probably perfectly willing to help, and they will stop. But you're being quite annoying. You now know.

This thread has totally exhausted itself with silliness now, what with Trout's post l, suggesting interrupting a runner to ask for directions is for their own good.

I run 6-10km around five days a week. I don't necessarily find the physicality painful (lungs bursting aside), but I need to zone in. I run in an urban environment (mostly), and it took me a while to work out a route that excluded too many roads, kerbs, bus stops, people, even tree roots. Anything that throws off my rhythm has the potential to wake me from my running coma. As I said earlier, even changing the track I'm listening to using my headphone control is distracting. It's obviously psychological, but I simply don't enjoy myself (during or afterward) if I'm not completely focussed on my rhythm. I don't even look at my surroundings (other than to check periodically ahead for what's coming up) - my gaze is fixed on the pavement no more than four feet ahead of me I love running on any surface that has a pattern

I guess I'm immune to direction queries though - I won't see the person approach, I won't hear them call, and I run pretty quickly past them

Is running all that healthy though, what with all the traffic fumes and that.

What traffic fumes? I saw about 7 vehicles on my last long run and I also got lost!

In that case we better all sit in the house unless getting into a car!

Healthy compared to what?
Traffic fumes are unhealthy, exercise broadly speaking is beneficial, running may not always be optimal but it has advantages over other forms of aerobic/endurance exercise

Running is hard
It takes mental discipline to keep on running, your reward is the post exercise euphoria, and a leaner healthier body
unless you also reward yourself with generous helpings of extra cake🍰🍩🍦😘👼

I usually have chocolate milk and a pizza of at least 1000 calories 😃 works for me!

I started running about a year and a half ago. In that time I've been stopped about 6 or so times. I always stop and help, mostly because I'm usually the only one around. I live in a village (with lots of other villages dotted around) and tend to run around the outskirts. I don't necessarily get annoyed but I do cry a little inside and I do lose my rhythm, momentum and motivation. In fact the first time it happened to me, I puffed and panted for a good while and even apologised to the person who had stopped me as I just couldn't speak.

I always move over for other people, often finding myself in the road. Always thanks others who move over for me and would never dream of barging past anyone.

Like others have said... I'm not a natural runner, I find it hard work and it takes all my willpower to not just give up like my lungs and legs want me to. So I do find it incredibly difficult to start up again once stopped.

I started running to lose weight, I continue to run to keep my weight in check. And even though it's hard it's my excersise of choice because it's the only one I've been able to stick to. I find that once I'm out I feel compelled to finish as opposed to doing something at home where it's much easier to give up (Looking at my redundant excersise bike). I can't afford a gym membership and the path/road is free.

I didn't realise any of this made me a twattish, thuggish cunt. (Which, by the way, I do find cunt quite the insult. I detest the use of the word personally.)

Is running all that healthy though, what with all the traffic fumes and that.

I'm in London so I can run through parks & by the river. No traffic fumes in those bits. No cars in sight even

Not to open a whole new debate or anything but what happens if a runner needs directions?

I look at my running app!

Wish, the thread has gone meta😁
Who can a runner ask?😱

😃 I got out my phone and prayed for a signal but there wasn't enough of one to access maps, so I told myself all animals have a geographical learning centre even me and I made my way back albeit across a newly ploughed field (it said footpath but hadn't been trodden in yet) which rather zapped the pace for that mile.

I'd probably ask a dog walker if I saw one. Some Garmins will help you navigate and make a route for you though.

An app seems logical Exactly it's like a paradox! You can't ask another runner OBVIOUSLY so maybe a dog walker but you'd have to hope it wasn't someone who you previously refused to give directions on another occasion because you were running. What a predicament