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AIBU?

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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:
MidniteScribbler · 04/09/2016 00:53

I wouldn't stop a runner, because I find that generally they are self absorbed twats.

Naveloranges · 04/09/2016 01:05

Goodness me if you can't stop for a couple of minutes to help out, then perhaps you should consider another form of fitness? Surely stopping for such a short time won't be too detrimental on your fitness? I used to do 10 mile run plus a few 5 K's and never found it to be an issue.

HeathensRuleTheWorld · 04/09/2016 01:19

Christ on a bike in a car

How dare they ask directions when there were clearly others having a leisurely stroll Hmm

What a strange post op

Glad you have nothing serious to talk about

Biscuit
thewavesofthesea · 04/09/2016 01:24

I'm a runner, and I personally don't mind at all. As a runner I obviously will know the area pretty well. I like to be helpful!!

GloveBug · 04/09/2016 01:28

If I have to stop in the middle of a run I start to cramp up so it's not ideal having someone stop me for directions

alleypalley · 04/09/2016 01:41

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

Because I don't just run around the block where I live I run miles from home so unless they happen to want directions back to my house then I won't have the faintest idea.

Also unless they jump out waving their arms at me I probably won't notice until I've passed them as I'm busy looking ahead for obstacles to avoid.

bumsexatthebingo · 04/09/2016 02:14

Why the assumption that what you are doing is more important than what other people are doing though? Just because other people are walking rather than running it doesn't mean they are walking around aimlessly and have no pressures on their time. They may need to be somewhere important for all you know.
I still maintain that if stopping is going to cause a problem (which at least explains why so many seem to plough into people) then you should be on a running track not in a residential area.

kali110 · 04/09/2016 02:30

Some of my family do run, but thankfully they'd never be rude and not help a person who was lost.
Yabu.
You can say "i helped today" but would you stop if there were others around?
It's not an odd assumption that someone lost would ask a runner, as surprisingly they may know the area well Confused.
Unfortunately i'm not surprised that others wouldn't stop either.

Biscuit from me too

kali110 · 04/09/2016 02:30

HeathensRuleTheWorld i second your post.

PerspicaciaTick · 04/09/2016 02:48

There is a runner who times her morning runs to coincide with school drop-off time every morning. She comes steaming down the footpath through the crowds of parents, school children, buggies and toddlers as they turn into the school gate, and she yells "Move over, I'm running". She never changes her pace or shifts from her chosen line.

If she hates getting caught up in the rush, why not leave 5 minutes earlier, or try a route which doesn't include the school entrance? Or run on the other side of the road? On the plus side, nobody would ever dare to ask her for directions - she is way too scary.

TheStoic · 04/09/2016 05:20

I've never had this happen to me, and would be very surprised if it did.

People here seem to understand it's poor form to stop someone who is concentrating and trying to get something done, if there are other options.

TheStoic · 04/09/2016 05:26

I wouldn't think twice about asking a runner.
Is this a thing? Are they all up in arms if they get asked?

Yes. Don't do it. They may be polite, but many of them will think you're a clueless dick and won't be surprised you're lost.

FreshHorizons · 04/09/2016 06:49

Of course you can ask a runner- most of us are not rude and don't mind at all! We do understand that not everyone is local and may be lost.

KeyserSophie · 04/09/2016 06:58

I trail run and never mind stopping. Sometimes....... I even pro-actively stop and ask people if they're ok if they're staring at their phones and looking confused - normally they're just hunting Pokemons though Grin.

I find most people do that though.

Trail runners are much friendlier than road runners though. True fact.

JustGettingStarted · 04/09/2016 07:00

I wouldn't ask a runner to stop unless there was no one else around. Running requires getting into a sort of flow where you can get endorphins going and stop feeling the pain of exertion.

I haven't run in years. I lived somewhere very rural at the time so I didn't get stopped. It wouldn't have been the end of the world but I would rather not stop.

Alconleigh · 04/09/2016 07:20

To those who asked if people still ask for directions. Yes they do. All to me, mostly. I live and work in Central London and people seem to make a positive bee line for me to ask. I have decided it must be as I am small, female and therefore unthreatening and also as very pale with red hair highly likely to be British therefore speak English! I feel sorry for the buggers as my lack of sense of direction is legendary.....I do try to help though. I even take them along with me sometimes if in the same direction and the end up doing that awkward conversation which goes on slightly too long thing......

I am not running when they do this though. The puce and wheezing delight that is me running would probably only prompt questions over whether I need medical assistance........

TheDowagerCuntess · 04/09/2016 08:13

It wouldn't occur to me to stop someone who's in the middle of something - i.e. running - to ask for directions.

In fact, I can't really understand the mindset of being lost, looking around for someone to ask, and stopping a runner over someone else. I always look for somebody who looks approachable, and someone who's running is more likely to be (to my mind), understandably annoyed.

tibbawyrots · 04/09/2016 08:23

I got told to fuck off and die because when I gave directions saying "you need to drive nearly another 20 miles to (seaside town) and it should be signposted from the main road"

I walked off. Carry on driving down farm lanes looking for Butlins in the middle of nowhere then. 🙄

Seryph · 04/09/2016 08:33

Just stop and help, unless you are about to break a world record or place in a big race stopping for a minute to be polite won't kill you.

But then again I've helped lost people on the tube before now so I must be completely insane. Grin

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 04/09/2016 08:42

I got told to fuck off and die because when I gave directions saying "you need to drive nearly another 20 miles to (seaside town) and it should be signposted from the main road"

Er, why did they tell you to fuck off and die?

Were they expecting you to get in the vehicle and give them a coach tour commentary on the route/scenery?? Shock

elodie2000 · 04/09/2016 08:56

I would never stop a runner to ask them anything. It would totally mess up their pace/distance/time/calories burned statistics on 'Runkeeper'.

Those of us avidly following their progress each day on Facebook just wouldn't get a true picture of their amazing fitness levels and record breaking achievement...

Wink
elodie2000 · 04/09/2016 08:57

... If they were constantly being held up by every Tom, Dick or Harry.

FreshHorizons · 04/09/2016 08:59

They ask me when I am running because generally I am the only person about. Some runners seem overly precious.

CoteDAzur · 04/09/2016 09:00

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.

NavyandWhite · 04/09/2016 09:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.