Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think you don't ask a runner for directions

456 replies

Nocabbageinmyeye · 03/09/2016 17:52

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

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 03/09/2016 19:08

Why not have a 'running top' fashioned with a slogan perhaps?

"Unless these hooves are walking, don't come talking"

Cherryskypie · 03/09/2016 19:09

What shitty behaviour Miaow. It might be worth contacting whoever maintains that park to complain about them. If an organised group is endangering other park users I'm sure they could be banned.

I hope your DD is ok and still learning to ride.

SvenandSven · 03/09/2016 19:09

I am a runner and live in a coastal town. On monday I was asked for directions which I gave it wasn't the first time nor will it be the last.
Is it annoying? Yes it can be but I am never rude and will always stop to help as it only takes a few minutes. Everyone who has stopped me have apologised.
Although I would never stop a runner for directions.

SimonLeBonOnAndOn · 03/09/2016 19:10

I'm actually a very considerate runner, if pedestrians are walking towards me I tend to end up in the road to get past.
( perish the thought you should break up,walking three abreast)
I run around dogs so I don't trip over them.

I stopped to help a man who was collapsed and waited until an ambulance came.

Some of you are so bitter, maybe jealous of fit and healthy runners? I get this.

HaPPy8 · 03/09/2016 19:11

It never ceases to amaze me on mumsnet how some posters are so reluctant to put themselves out just a tiny bit to help someone else.

And i'm a runner. You are being unreasonable.

BoneyBackJefferson · 03/09/2016 19:14

Some of you are so bitter, maybe jealous of fit and healthy runners? I get this.

So funny :)

SimonLeBonOnAndOn · 03/09/2016 19:17
Wink
MiaowTheCat · 03/09/2016 19:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TiggyD · 03/09/2016 19:19

Jesus would have helped if somebody has asked him directions when he was out for a run.

allthecarbs · 03/09/2016 19:20

I'm not a runner but I would never stop someone in their stride. If I see a runner coming up to the kerb while I'm driving I'll stop and flash them across.

Always got the impression that you have to get in the zone with running.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 03/09/2016 19:21

We've had this debate before and non runners didn't get it that time eitherGrin

When I'm running it would drive me to distraction to be asked directions and I probably wouldn't stop. I have stopped when asked about a lost dog and to help a child who fell over but given how crap I am at directions, I'd be doing them a favour by not stopping!

BipBippadotta · 03/09/2016 19:22

Yeah, I don't get the enraged responses here. I'm not a runner, but I can see why this would be incredibly annoying. I get very pissed off when people try to stop me for directions when I'm desperately and obviously running for a bus - this happens bizarrely often. I think I must have an unusually approachable face, even at speed.

Don't mind it when I'm not in a hurry, but I am a bit puzzled by people in this day and age who would rather put their trust in total strangers than in Google maps when they're trying to get somewhere.

paxillin · 03/09/2016 19:22

Jesus would have shown them the way, TiggyD.

MiaowTheCat · 03/09/2016 19:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoneyBackJefferson · 03/09/2016 19:23

BipBippadotta

Not everyone has google maps/sat nav etc.

PirateFairy45 · 03/09/2016 19:24

Oh get a grip. Someone was lost and thought you had a friendly face for them to ask for help

Obviously they were wrong.

Theoretician · 03/09/2016 19:24

If I'm exercising I'm already at physical breaking point, if I'm expected to talk to someone then I'm going to have to stop for a while first just to save up the energy to be able to speak. When I do, I'm going to be fucking pissed off at the extra effort that's been imposed on me. Every word I speak is going to cost me something. (But I see people on this thread just don't get this - they thinking speaking while on the point of collapse is the same as chatting to someone while waiting in a bus queue.)

While exercising I've managed to get my mind into a trance so I can ignore the pain, but now that you've shattered that state of mind, after I start again it's going to be few very long minutes of increased suffering before I manage to zone it out again.

TiggyD · 03/09/2016 19:24

Although Jesus probably gave crap directions.

"Down this lane, turn right, across the lake..."

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 19:26

OP yanbu, it's bloody annoying and rude to stop someone running. Of course when stopped I try to help but that doesn't stop it being annoying - I'm not running to a certain time, I'm not trying to break any records but it's hard to get my pace going again.

EmpressKnowsWhereHerTowelIs · 03/09/2016 19:26

That's awful, Miaow. Did you complain to whoever organises that Parkrun? There's a lot of emphasis on the website about consideration for other park users.

Doggity · 03/09/2016 19:27

Some of you are miserable bastards. Perhaps you looked nice OP and the person thought you might not kind.

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 19:27

While exercising I've managed to get my mind into a trance so I can ignore the pain, but now that you've shattered that state of mind, after I start again it's going to be few very long minutes of increased suffering before I manage to zone it out again. This!

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 19:28

And it was a cyclist and cars who have stopped us - never a pedestrian!

SvenandSven · 03/09/2016 19:31

miaow if you haven't already complain to parkrun because that behaviour is disgusting and should not happen.
I'm sorry it happened to your daughter.
We are definitely not all the same.

SimonLeBonOnAndOn · 03/09/2016 19:34

MIAOW - what happened to your daughter is unacceptable. That sort of runner is I hope in a v small minority.
I always smile and say hello to little ones when I'm out running.
I just don't stop that's all.