To think runners are getting a lot of hate atm

[HerstoryInTheMaking]

All over social media I am hearing a lot of nasty and snarky comments towards runners, especially from people who would never usually exercise outdoors anyways.

Aibu to think social distancing is a two way street and that those walking should also attempt social distancing. I as a marathon runner try my best to avoid people often walking in a group along a path who refuse to budge an inch.

I’ve not heard anything!

I’m fed up with runners shouting abuse as they run up behind me when I’m out for a walk expecting me to move so they don’t have to break stride. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head, and everyone needs to make accommodation for each other.

I think cyclists are getting more grief TBF.

Someone around here made the mistake of saying on the local Facebook page that people on footpaths should ‘get out of my way’.
It didn’t end well! When running on countryside footpaths apparently she felt they should climb into the hedge to let her through 😳

The only hate I've seen is on MN.

I've made sure I'm the one who steps out on to the road if I pass anyone on my run.

Today a man beat me to it and crossed the road before I could. We gave each other a lovely wave as we passed.

I agree with @WherestheBeach I will move out of the way if I hear them but sometimes they sneak up on you, a runner called me a dumb bitch once (a while ago, not during this crisis) for not moving. I would have moved and I did once he spoke but I just hadn't heard him! Don't know why "excuse me please" went out of fashion??

Genuinely have not seen anything about runners at all in any of the community COVID groups I’m in

I run every day and people are lovely. I meet the odd dog walker, cyclist or family and we all work hard to observe social distancing. I move, they move, we all say hello and smile or wave.

People are always rude about their chosen group of irksome folk, lumping them all together. That's just rude people being rude.

DD and DH got abuse because they were walking beside each other, not in single file as the runner demanded everyone should be doing. At some point, people will start shouting back.

I’m a very considerate runner (I crossed the road twice to avoid the same family yesterday, always give a wide berth, say ‘thank you‘ if people move for me, etc). I’m a bit fed up with it too- this situation seems to be a breeding ground for finger pointing and intolerance.

I don't think it matters if it's a runner/cyclist/pedestrian - anyone that doesn't adhere to socially distancing is pissing me off.

I'm the least confrontational person in IRL but I called someone and idiot yesterday - they cut across within 10cms of me to get where they wanted to go - they came from behind, overtook me on my left and cut across me to turn right.

I was so mad. He just lifted his hands in response, like 'what?'.

My impression of the general public is they're a lot thicker than I thought before.

The runners and cyclists on the trail by me don't want to break stride. Strava has a lot to answer for

I've heard absolutely nothing in real life - the only place I've heard any kind of abuse towards anyone re. their exercise choices is on here!

This is because:

A) the vast majority of runners I have encountered have failed to exercise social distancing. One prize tit of a woman yesterday saw me with the pram about 50 metres away and ran straight towards and past me with about 3 feet distance if that. Wouldn’t get off the pavement even though it would have been no bother for her to do so; and

B) they are frequently breathing heavily and spluttering all over the place so I DEFINITELY don’t want them near me.

The heavy breathing and spluttering suggests they aren’t regular runners and have taken it up as “exercise”. As a regular runner, that does irk me, yes - irrational as that may be.

It’s worrying that people are objecting to people keeping fit and maintaining aerobic capacity, when we’re dealing with Coronavirus, and those are two things that will protect people.

A lot of people don’t seem to realise that cycling 30 miles or running 5k every couple of days is not excessive, it’s completely normal.
It says a lot about how very unhealthy a lot of people are.

There was a thread on here a while back saying it was unreasonable to stop a runner and ask them the time or something. Like they are special in that respect.

I guess if you see someone is running toward you at speed even without social distancing your first thought would be to jump out of the way?

I once nearly ran over a dear friend of mine as I turned into a side road as she was running across it. She didn’t notice me or the driver coming in the opposite direction who also had to brake sharpishly. I watched her run right past me and she didn’t take any notice at all.
When I next saw her I mentioned this incident and she thought it was hilarious. I asked her if she looks when she runs across roads and she replied “no, it’s up to drivers to take notice, I get into the zone and I’m in my own world!”
Says it all, really.

@Wheresthebeach I'm not sure I understand why your DD and DH wouldn't move to single file when a runner is trying to pass them? When running I am happy to go into the road and leave walkers on the pavement however the distance I have to go into the road would be less and therefore safer if walkers could go to single file merely for a few seconds.

Runners or pedestrians - it annoys me when I have to drag my pram off the path as they don’t bother moving. I’m not one of those mothers that expect it to be all about me but in these instances it’s so much easier for them to step off the path than it is for me. The amount of filthy looks I’ve had for moving out of the way as if they’re offended that I’m keeping my distance from them.

Some people just can't stop hating, judging and policing in reaction to their anxiety (that's me being generous!) - they are almost salivating at the loss of freedom we are all enduring - best not to think about them at all...they are living through their own hell - they live in their heads.

@saucyspice agreed. Doesn’t matter if it’s a runner or a walker does it- if you’re spreading out across the path, you move over to let others past if they are moving faster than you.

@Mintjulia 100% spot on, also people getting annoyed at others who don't usually run taking up "their" space (nobody owns it if it's public space), I am a swimmer but can't do that now so I'm going to run instead even though I don't enjoy it, because I need to keep my exercise up.

If you are coming face on then both parties should move to the respective edge of the path. In my experience runners and cyclists stay in the middle.

If they are coming behind you then they should move sufficient distance to the side as you can't see them. In my experience this does not happen.

I have been for a few runs recently. I go to a great deal of effort to cross the road/run in the middle of the road when safe/sometimes completely stop and practically climb into hedges to stick to social distancing rules. When I go for my runs, it's usually dog walkers I see. The way I see it, it's easier for me to move for them, as they have themselves and a dog to move and I only have myself to manoeuvre. Fair enough. What has pissed me off, is that about 80% just make absolutely no effort to acknowledge the fact I've quite clearly gone out of my way to move so that they don't have to. No nods or words of thanks whatsoever. Almost as if they think that it's obviously only my responsibility to move and that they automatically have right of way. Just bizarre and pretty rude in my opinion. Other than that observation, most people are friendly and make efforts to move as well. I tend to go out earlyish to avoid as many people as I can. Just hoping they continue to let us exercise outside. I've been running since September, never thought I'd get into it but was training for my first 10km when covid hit, so don't want to lose the fitness I've achieved so far. I'm definitely not a natural runner, so need to stick to it!

The heavy breathing and spluttering suggests they aren’t regular runners and have taken it up as “exercise”. As a regular runner, that does irk me, yes - irrational as that may be.

I exercise regularly so am less of a splutterer, but still not a 'regular' runner. hate running. I derive no pleasure from it whatsoever and it's absolute hell on the knees. I'm a rider and a swimmer (I swim at least two miles a week) by rule, and I use the gym to supplement. But right now riding is inessential 'travel', the British Horse Society won't countenance hacks, and the pool and gym are closed.

It's safe to say options are pretty limited. But when restrictions are lifted I'll be going back to my beloved chlorine-smelling water and fiesty, grumpy old mare. (That's the horse, BTW, although right now it's pretty descriptive of me too). The runners can keep it!