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

Thanks to mumsnet I have now discovered that people doing a hobby have special dispensation to ignore normal social interaction and can refuse to help people with impunity. Excellent. I do feel terribly sorry for those of you whose hobbying attempts are completely destroyed by any interruption whatsoever - presumably you never cross roads and just run in a big circle round your house loads of times.

Yabu. Your run isn't more important than someone else's peaceful stroll or attempt to get to an appointment on time. Feel free to refuse to help if you wish. Hopefully you will chance upon someone less self absorbed if you ever find yourself lost and in need of directions.

Loving the idea that it's OK to ask anyone in a public place for directions, no matter what else they're busy doing at the time. Next time I can't be arsed with a map I'm going to barge in to a performance by one of those mime artists on the South Bank and demand that they direct me to the nearest Pizza Express at once.

And as I said further back - someone perhaps struggling to get to the Health Centre and moving seemingly slowly, it's okay to ask them because their journey is less important than that of a 'runner' and they are moving so slowly and they have nothing more to do with their day. Because 'runners' are far more important than anyone else on the planet. (not including the nice, kind runners who have contributed to the thread, of course - just the self-entitled arsehole ones)

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

That would be a very odd gym indeed. Surely if no-one's on duty, it would be shut.

Also the ones who just crash through you on narrow pavements annoy me. If you're not going to stop or slow down for people you shouldn't be running in a public place imo you should pay and use a running track.

OP,
This is a tricky one.
I'm a jogger, but have done a few half marathons and very proud to say London Marathon in 2000, now it's just a couple of miles to keep the wine calories at bay. Haha
However to the point, unless your in a race with other people and not your watch then in my opinion you are being a bit OTT as it could of been emergency and you never know when you might need help yourself .
Did you not see/hear about the runner at the Olympics who stopped to assist another runner who fell.
Google it, it's a great story.

Evans - most 24 hr gyms won't have anyone on duty after 5. Mine doesn't.

I think a runner stopping for someone in medical need is different to a non runner stopping a runner for directions - unless there was medical need involved, of course.

avamiah they crashed into each other and both fell over. Not quite the same as stopping your race to help another.

OP:
Brilliant! Have never tried that yet! Did you bob up and down running on the spot while responding to the enquiry!?

Evans - most 24 hr gyms won't have anyone on duty after 5. Mine doesn't

That can't be legal, surely? In any event, would anyone have a need to ask where the spinning class is at 2:00am - surely they won't be running then, most especially if no members of staff are present. Wouldn't an exercise class need a member of staff to run it? I would expect classes to be run between the hours of approx. 8:00am to 6:00pm.

The more I think about that, actually, the more I'm worrying about it. A building open to members of the public with no member of staff present? . What would happen in an emergency - surely there should be at least one First-Aider on site?

OP you know that you can just carry on running and ignore someone, don't you? It may be rude but it may stop you getting so aerated later on.

HTH

Statelychangers,
Like I said it's a tricky one.
I personally wouldn't stop a runner for directions to the local pub or nearest hotel,but If I was running out of petrol and was completely lost and without a sat nav or map then i would.
It's up to the runner if he/she wishes to stop and help me as they have a Choice to stop or carry on running.

You said ah come off it and ran off im sorry but thats so rude...even if you did find it a bit annoying!

LiviaDA,
Absolutely Correct.

I'm a runner, and would stop and give someone directions because I'm also a non-arsehole.

KidLorneRoll

avamiah I have always helped regardless of the destination but it has never been an obvious emergency - I think it's rude interrupting, it's hard for me to get going again, you will have interrupted my pace when I'm already tired an it's really hard to get going again with sore legs - if you have done that because you had some kind of emergency, then I agree it's justified but it's my experience that I have been asked because I'm just the first person the asker has seen - they have asked me without any regard for my needs - only their own.

Randomdent,
Point taken .

Stately - so go and run on a track, if it's such a burden. How could the poor, uneducated people of your borough know how sore your little legs are? Diddums
they have asked me without any regard for my needs - only their own - and could I suggest this is exactly what you are doing, in reverse?

I really don't buy the claims of "it's hard to get going again". You heart rate doesn't suddenly drop back down 80-100 bpm in the space of 30 seconds. Just use the opportunity to shake your legs and arms out a bit, or think of it as interval training and claim it as a speed work session on strava.

Statelychangers,
Yes, I agree with you and these people who interrupt us mid run especially if we are bright red in the face and look like we are about to collapse ( that's me)haha , then are not runners/joggers themselves as they would ask somebody else because they know what it's like keeping to a certain pace and to keep on going as if you stop, you may not bloody get started again. Haha

Evans suggest whatever you like - I have helped those who have asked - they did not seem in dire need, but you are probably right - their need to interrupt, trumped mine every time. I am now a utterly deluded cunt. I'm learning.