to think that going for a walk is too bloody stressful?!

[Pishposhpashy]

We live in London. Go out for our permitted daily walk (me, dog, 4yo DD). Constantly having to dodge on the way to the park to avoid people coming in the opposite direction. Once in the park, same story. Dodging out of the way every 10 seconds to maintain social distancing. DC not understanding why she cannot run on ahead. DD touches bench before I can stop her then immediately puts a finger in her mouth. Leave to return home as park is just too busy to be able to be safe.

We dont have a garden and I desperately feel we need outdoor exercise, but this is the same story every time and it doesn't matter what time of day it is either.

We went out for a walk just after 7am today. It was fine just encountered a couple of dog walkers who we spoke to from a distance.

I went running tonight as I do most nights and saw more people out and about in my town than I’ve ever seen before, dogs, couples, everyone out for a walk and a chat. I suppose everyone is working from home now so able to get out in the evenings. It’d be nice to see in different circumstances but scary given the current and tbh I felt like part of the problem. Going to try and sneak off at a quieter time tomorrow or maybe get hold of a treadmill for the garage.

I have little private bets with myself about how long will some people I know keep pretending they LOVE walking/running and have always done it.
Same.
I have a private bet that many of these people claiming they just have to go to parks, have to drive to woodlands and parks (because it's totally about them exercising responsibly and nothing at all to do with personally preferring to go somewhere nice to get out the house) can probably count on their fingers how many times they've been to the woods/countryside/country parks in the last year.

Funny as lockdown was announced last night and litrally I've seen people I've never seen before strolling past my house, half the street out for family walks and these fuckers have never been out fir a walk on their lives ridiculous the estate was full of them which I think defies the point.

I think there needs to be some sort of belt worn around the waist with 2m 'spikes' radiating all the way around that must be worn when outside so people can't get too close

I'd like one of those when I am waiting on the station platform in normal times to stop people invading my space!

I went for a walk with DH today and it wasn't too bad on the route we took so I will probably run that way tomorrow too.

Could you put gloves on her, I'm aware in warm weather i t would look odd but better safe than sorry.

YANBU, I took the DC out for a walk on Friday night - where I live is reasonably quiet, but I was getting quite stressed by having to quickly get out of the way of the odd person running towards us at speed.

I developed a mild cough on Sunday, so we're in 14 day isolation and knowing that we can't go out at all now is actually must less stressful than trying to plan a route and time to avoid everyone.

If it carries on like this the government will have no choice but to implement a stricter lockdown. No exercising, no long dog walks. And it’ll be the fault of all those people who just don’t think they have to adhere to the rules

But people are adhering to the rules. It's the numbers of people. All the people who would normally walk to work or to the station or just round the office are thinking they need to get out for a little while. And then you have the people who would normally be swimming or using the gym so they are dusting off the bike or going for a run or walk. And then those of us who run all the time anyway. And eg ds who would usually train in a small group but that's not allowed so he has to go alone or with me (and I am too slow, so alone).

To be fair OP you where adding to the number of people by having two fully grown adults out with one child - which is unnecessary

I went for a run with DD2 and it wasn't bad (about 4pm) but we tend to run on the road rather than parks - although the canal path we use is narrow people where very sensible in moving out of each others way

maybe take it in turns to take her and go mid morning or mid afternoon

I'm going to go against the grain and say it is decidedly quiet in my neck of Zone 3. Went for a run this morning at 8:30 and had no trouble avoiding the few people I passed (I ran out into the road - road was usually empty too). I do wonder if people are just so much more conscious of people it feels like they are everywhere now. Yesterday I popped to the corner store for milk and there were more people out, but hardly Piccadilly circus.

I'm not saying it's not crowded where you are but just wanted to present a different scenario for the record.

I was getting quite stressed by having to quickly get out of the way of the odd person running towards us at speed

When I am running NOBODY gets out of my way. I have to do all the meandering. Occasionally someone stands to one side when there is actually plenty of room - but usually never, even in normal times.

I do wonder if people are just so much more conscious of people it feels like they are everywhere now

I think this is true too. A few days ago there was a discussion on here about it being difficult to avoid people and I said they must live in a really crowded place because if I went out to my local town centre I wouldn't see anyone until I got near the shops - and then when I went out there were lots of people shopping, walking with a buggy, walking with a pull-along shopping trolley, a postman coming out of a house as I went by. I don't think I would have noticed any other time.

I totally understand how you feel OP. I live in London and avoided my local park completely at the weekend as I knew it would be bedlam.
Going to the park felt way more risk than going to the supermarket.

This afternoon I finally braved the park thinking that I need to face trying to run while my gym is closed (I usually go to the gym 7+ times a week). It was still so busy. Impossible to run and maintain a 2 metre distance. Most people were social distancing but it was so busy that I was zigzagging constantly. In the end I found a quiet-ish corner and did some burpees, lunges and step-ups (on an old tree stump) and then left the park and ran round the back streets of Bethnal Green instead. There were people on the streets but nothing like the crowds in the park.

I'm finding it increasingly stressful leaving my London flat as there are so many people who don't seem to be social distancing. I live near a large supermarket so my street is always busy but it seems to be worse now rather than better. And people going to the supermarket seem to be oblvious to social distancing. Half of them are too busy looking at their phones. I nearly shouted at one man to get the hell away from me.

We went to the local park today at 7am and it was deserted. Think yu need to go super early OP. Good Luck

I'm hoping it's like the first 2 weeks of January in the Gym. Everyone deciding to get fit. Then it tails of as everyone gets fed up.

Maybe in a week or two it will quieten down

7am is lush atm, so crisp and fresh, and the sun will be up.

I know it’s warm, but put gloves on your daughter. Tell her they have to stay on, or you go home.

It's a reaction to people's liberty being taken away. They are trying to make the most of things that are left while they are still left. I live rurally, and I have a reasonable size garden. I am taking the kids out every day I can whilst I still can, because I fully expect things to get worse and be stuck in the garden for weeks. It's not an issue where I live, but it would be in a town/city. Especially while the weather is like this. It wouldn't be happening if it was pissing it down.

It's common sense that if you have a garden you shouldn't be out walking. This part of the rules is going to have to go because it just won't work. Here in Spain people in apartments are walking their dogs to the supermarket to minimise being out unnecessarily. Those with gardens aren't walking them.

Originally people were allowed out for walks but it was scrapped and only one person is allowed out in a car now 🤷

I have been trying to find a quiet time to walk in our local park (just been out now for example). whatever time I go, there are always bloody joggers running past huffing and panting all over the place. Six feet means bugger all when they are doing that.

A lot of the park is walkways with railings on either side so not much I can do except turn my head away, I am growing to really hate joggers! So inconsiderate.

We take our 4 year old on his scooter so he can move at speed. I also have a scooter so we race. He will sometimes stop to pick flowers but I can usually motivate him to keep moving.
Saw lots of joggers but they stuck to the road and we had the path. Lots fewer people and cars out today.
We scooted to the shop and I waited outside with him while Dh went in to minimise him touching things. we also dug out the bike trailer which will minimise to touching but the downside is less exercise for him.

If you have a garden and yet go to a park at this time with this happening you will be one of the reasons why lockdown get striker and longer.

The allowance is meant for people who do not have outside space.

I agree with @OlaEliza. This should be a common sense. This is why outside spaces are overfilled now.

I live in the deep dark countryside of North Wales. On our walk this morning DD and I saw hawks, bees, a butterfly, sheep, flowers, a horse and Alan the postman. We stopped on opposite sides of the road for a chat with Alan but apart from that is was very peaceful. We walk daily anyway (dog) and today was exceptional in its lack of people.

I don’t envy those in big cities at the moment. Normally I’d kill you for a Starbucks but in the current circumstances I think I’m glad we live in the arse end of beyond!

How can I run in a 5m square garden? Are you saying because I have a garden I have to give up running but the apartment inhabitants can still run?

I'm not running, I'm simply out for a walk. Personally I think, in London at the moment, there simply isnt space for people to run.

I've been avoided parks as I don't want sweaty, panting joggers near me. I get it & like a jog myself but if every single person who lives near me went jogging it would be chaos.