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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:
lljkk · 03/09/2016 19:34

Ordinary runs shouldn't put you into an excruciating trance that can't be broken. Confused That sounds like overtraining. I suggest try running at least 3x a week, because then it becomes not completely demanding, you can run without feeling stretched to the max the whole time.

Anyway, if I didn't want to stop, I'd just wave an arm & shout "Sorry!" & carry on my way. No guilt required.

I should add, the problem with running in isolated places is... dogs. I love dogs, but they might give chase, so I often need to slow down so owners can make sure to collar their mutts and prevent a chase.

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 19:35

Funk me - I'm a running cunt, who knew? I have never run over anyone, or attended a park run....but I run with a dog - that must make be an utter running cunt on Mumsnet!

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/09/2016 19:35

I agree that Miaow should contact parkrun as our run directors always, always, always say at the start that we don't have exclusive use of the park and we need to be considerate of other park users. I'm very sorry that some of your parkrun members were not so considerate and I think parkrun national HQ would be very concerned indeed to hear about that incident.

Having said that, if there are dog walkers about and people just out for a stroll, why on earth would a casual direction-seeker stop a person who is running or walking very briskly, whether on their way to the station or bus stop or work, or clearly out for exercise? Nobody runs aimlessly once they are over the age of about 12. It's just inconsiderate.

familygermsareok · 03/09/2016 19:36

I'm a runner, mostly quiet rural roads, and have been asked for directions a few times. Never occurred to me that it was a nuisance, I'm perfectly happy to help. Just pause the Garmin if I'm timing myself. Though as pp said, if I was actually wearing a race no I wouldn't want to stop except in case of distress!
Is there a pause function on the C25K type programmes? I've never used them but would imagine there must be some way of pausing them, eg if you are stuck at traffic lights, or waiting on a verge for a huge tractor to pass.

Miaow I'm horrified to hear of your DD's experience. So selfish and rude, and potentially dangerous. Our parkrun directors would def want to know about this, we are reminded about sharing the pathways at the beginning of every run. You could find the relevant parkrun through parkrun.org.uk and email or FB the directors who could hopefully shame the culprits, or at least remind the runners that it is a shared facility.

SimonLeBonOnAndOn · 03/09/2016 19:38

Lol at statelychangers

MiaowTheCat · 03/09/2016 19:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PushingThru · 03/09/2016 19:41

Ignore them. Its rudely intrusive & entitled to do this.

CapricornCalling · 03/09/2016 19:46

YANBU, OP.

SmilingButClueless · 03/09/2016 19:46

I wonder if I live in the same area as Miaow; our local park run is an absolute menace with extremely rude marshals and runners who think they own the place. It must be possible to share communal facilities nicely...

I don't think OP's being unreasonable though. Not because runners are a special case, but because I think it's a bit rude to disturb anyone who's clearly involved in something other than just walking - I wouldn't stop runners, cyclists, people with headphones, people on the phone etc if there were other people around who looked less 'busy'.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 03/09/2016 19:50

Yanbu! I do not run as it is hell on my knees, but I do enough sport that I can recognise that when you do a sustained effort, you want to keep you stride to keep going, both mentally and physically. If you can ask somebody else, avoid breaking somebody's focus. It means a lot to them, even if you cannot understand it (which we see a lot here, apparently... running cunts indeed...)

EmpressKnowsWhereHerTowelIs · 03/09/2016 20:08

Running cunts brings up a completely different image....

familygermsareok · 03/09/2016 20:11

I'm very sad and angry to hear you have had no useful response from anyone involved in parkrun Miaow. It goes against the whole ethos of it and is awful.
I don't know what else you can do, really. Just wanted to say that I am so angry on your behalf, and not all runners are like that, honestly.
Do you want to name the parkrun? There is a parkrunners thread on the health/exercise page and if anyone is local they might be willing to consider bringing it up to the run directors also.

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 20:18

Running cunts brings up a completely different image.... kind of empowering though. This cunt runs - an alternative strap line for this girl can?

AppleSetsSail · 03/09/2016 20:18

I don't think you should interrupt runners, no. It can disrupt your whole rhythm and I find it hard to talk when running.

Would you interrupt someone at a yoga class with a question?

IonaNE · 03/09/2016 20:30

YANBU.
To those who commented starting with "I'm not a runner but...": on a 16K run, if I was stopped 8K from my house, I would not be able to restart again and would need to walk 8K home.

Original poster
Nocabbageinmyeye · 03/09/2016 20:34

Thanks for the replies, a mixed bag so I'll go with yanbu side Grin I'm honestly not a running cunt or a running thug either Hmm, I go into the grass if a car is coming (where no paths and car would need to slow/stop for me otherwise) off the path and onto the road for walkers/kids, am generally considerate and as I have said if there is nobody around then fair enough but there always has been others around so thought I would be the least obvious choice

OP posts:
Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 20:42

Nah sorry op - you run, you're a cunt, it's that simple! Sorry!

Original poster
Nocabbageinmyeye · 03/09/2016 20:46

Ok I am a cunt but I am NOT a running cunty thug I tell you

OP posts:
Memoires · 03/09/2016 21:10

Why can't you give directions when you're out on a run? Seriously, I don't understand.

MuseumOfCurry · 03/09/2016 21:13

Why can't you give directions when you're out on a run? Seriously, I don't understand.

Would you go up to someone on a treadmill, or stairmaster, or whatever at the gym and say 'sorry, do you know where the spinning class is?'

Statelychangers · 03/09/2016 21:14

Memoires Just for you because you haven't read the thread...

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.

If I was explaining it to a child I'd say you were massively interrupting what someone else was doing. And while some super ace runners might find it easy to resume pace after interruptions, many of us struggle and therefore we'd rather you didn't interrupt us.

EvansOvalPies · 03/09/2016 21:17

Would you go up to someone on a treadmill, or stairmaster, or whatever at the gym and say 'sorry, do you know where the spinning class is?

Well no, I would guess not. As there would be someone at the reception desk, or another member of staff able to direct you. Confused A public street being used by members of the public is just that . . .

HeddaLettuce · 03/09/2016 21:19

so just said "ah come off it"as I kept running. Why would you do that, aibu to think it's rude

That was rude, OF YOU, yes. No need to be a dick about it.

MuseumOfCurry · 03/09/2016 21:19

Well no, I would guess not. As there would be someone at the reception desk, or another member of staff able to direct you. confused A public street being used by members of the public is just that . .

Of course. Assume there's no one on duty at the gym.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 03/09/2016 21:20

Should we talk about the asking cunts?