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.

For what it is worth, I went for a walk last week and I am very very conscious of keeping 2 metres and I was keeping to the extreme left hand side of the path often walking off to the side. I had two joggers run past me without taking care, so I do get that joggers can be inconsiderate.

However, so too were the parents with kids that were taking up the full 2.5 m width of the path, the couples refusing to break hands to allow for 2 m, the council patrol team who certainly did not practice social distancing while they walked up the path without allowing passing space for on coming traffic and the dog walkers who allowed their dogs to run up to people or other dogs without recalling them, some of the dogs also got into fights.

936 deaths in 24 hours. This figure is only this in hospital and only those with positive Corona test. Real figures likely to be 20% higher.

I think it’s new admissions that is the figure that really indicates how well, or otherwise, we are doing. The Times has reported today that flu and pneumonia deaths are down on this time last year. So inevitably some virus deaths might have been deaths from other illnesses previously. I quite like the idea of fast and slow lanes on paths!

Well a woman ran straight into me this morning.She was on the pavement coming round a corner and made no effort to slow down whatsover.I was lucky I wasn't knocked into the road. Some runners will not break their stride for anything. I give runners and cyclists a lot more space if I can. For myself as much as them because they are exerting themselves and breathing heavily.

Admissions could be flawed though couldn't they? Let's say someone goes to hospital with symptoms, Dr says it's Corona but no test administered. Repeat that 1000 times and admissions look lower than they are. Unless the admitted numbers don't need a positive test result? Hmm.. might have to look at that.
Either way, it's harder to massage the numbers of the dead as the OnS is also collecting them, only with a week delay.

Hope that you are ok Snugglepiggy. There is sadly, too many inconsiderate people out there, walkers, runners, dog owners and cyclists. Corners can be very tricky.

I meant new admissions who have tested positive. Often deaths relate to admissions from quite a while ago. That’s why admission rates with the virus show more accurate tends. wasn’t clear when I posted earlier. I also accept deaths are of great concern too. I hope, as admissions reduce, we will see fewer deaths.

I totally agree with this. Started running in training for an event 18 months ago, been a pretty regular runner every since. More so now my gym is shut so I feel I;m pretty clued up on etiquette. Lately- if I see someone in advance and I can- I'll run around them into the road. I will always try and look out in advance and plan to be the one that moves.
But some non runners I encounter are just utter idiots. The other day I was already running on a pavement with cars parked on pavement in a row- so I was hemmed in by the cars. A bloke comes around corner- carrying 24 loo rolls in each hand from a haul in Waitrose, looking smugly down at them and not ahead. He still had plenty of time to either stop and stand back or go around the cars- as the gap in cars was his end- I was already well into the section of pavement with cars tightly parked onto pavement and with no gap I could leap into. He only looked up as we were close to colliding, I put my arms in air in exasperation and his dim family walking him were doing impressions of me as I ran past.
& yesterday- a joint cycle/running path on pavement- clearly marked with each symbol at one point separates- clearly directing cyclists onto a cycle path on road- as path ahead narrows into pedestrian only. Me jogging on that section of path- cyclist approaches- taking no notice of the path for him- doesn't make any attempt to move around or even avoid me, I dash to the side at last minute to avoid him smashing into me (onto grass at side of path) I shout at him he's on the wrong path and he starts swearing at me.

well, where I am there are runners, walkers, dog walkers and cyclists.

We all work hard to move/cross the road and give each other space. Once or twice it has been a pain (I am on the verge with my dog frimly sittigng on my feet and a family walks past allowing their toddler to cross right over towards my 'doggie' so wrong on so many levels, but they are the exception, not the rule.)

Lots of cheerful good mornings, and thank yous abound.

He only looked up as we were close to colliding,
I dash to the side at last minute to avoid him smashing into me

sounds like you leave things a bit late to me

I'm fed up and really angry with the ones I see. NOT the ones in spaced out streets, who can and do practise social distancing. Where I live, they are pounding the main road which is the only one where there are essential shops. Panting in people's faces. There's no proper room there. Can they not think? If you turn away, some of them laugh and snort at you like you're making a fuss over nothing. THOSE joggers are pricks and need to be locked inside imo.

As a runner, I have been known to call out that I am 'coming around on the right' and have frightened walkers. I rarely do it now unless I can see no other option. Even when I walk, I certainly keep checking traffic both ways on the path.

To me, it actually makes more sense that whatever you are doing, you stay vigilant and look behind you regularly if you are on a busy path. Surely, having situation awareness is a good thing.

I think cyclists are getting more. However I've just been out with toddler DS and a male runner who I saw coming down the road toward us nearly got a foot push into the road. I'd stopped moved as far over as possible with DS and pushchair what does the runner do? Comes as close as possible to me nearly touching despite all the pavement I had left him to use - w@@ker.

@Mummyoflittledragon fair enough. Must be tough when you really can't get out of the way.

Some people have mentioned treadmills - we have one, but I hate it. You have to stick to a relentless pace, which I find very stressful. Even though I go slower on the treadmill than outside I feel like I'm going to get the timing wrong, fall off and break my neck. I do plenty of indoor workouts, but treadmills are not for me.

I run. But like a lot of runners I also walk sometimes

My observation is that there are twats of all types. Twice young male runners have brushed me as they've passed right in the middle, not moving over at all. Cyclists thinking less cars means not observing red lights even. Walkers spread out over the trail so that they are socially distanced and I can't. Families with children who are touching everything. Older people in groups not giving a tiny shit.

All you can do is the best you can and the rest is not in your power to change. I did say 'fucking cunt' at one of the male runners passed I will admit. In my defense he was a fucking cunt.

I've given up going for my run. (been running for 6 years)

Once this is all over and restrictions have lifted, I wouldn't be surprised if the number of people outside drops and I'll be able to start up again. Especially once the level of aggression falls - everyone is (quite rightly) scared and so are taking it out on everyone else.

I've tried all different times of the day and different routes but without driving to somewhere quieter - it's just not worth the grief. Even though I'm not doing anything wrong.

Tell me about it @DuesToTheDirt treadmills are also a very a middle class solution. Running is great as a sport because apart from a pair of trainers it is free to participate in. Most treadmills that you can actually run on are £250+, and need room to set up. There are many people who run as a low-cost form of exercise who don't have the room or the money to buy a treadmill just because some people on MN don't believe they have a right to be out.

Not to mention it's almost impossible to buy one at the moment.

Runners on my local FB page have definitely been getting a lot of hate recently. All richly deserved IMO.

MrsTerryPratchett

I lost my cool just over a week ago too. I had good reason to call a man an arsehole and he proceeded to abuse me when he and his friend were very definitely being 'arseholes'... Sometimes, you just need to let it rip!

True Wines

My one looked horrified at the red-faced, middle-aged woman swearing at him. Serves him right.

It seems silly to live in a city or built up are and complain about how many people there are

I'm no runner, but in my limited experience, treadmills have to be really good quality (£££) to be of much use.

MrsT Mine huffed, "how dare you!! If you weren't a female...." But really, he and his friend were standing chatting across the path (2.5 m wide path) with their dogs running around them. I stopped running and politely asked if they could please move to one side of the path while still maintaining their 2 metres (so everyone could take turns in passing them as there was on coming traffic as well).... I thought it was a most reasonable suggestion. But they both started yelling that I was the biggest idiot etc etc. So I told the man he was an arsehole as I ran past. And took his pic as I passed him (on his own by then and I kept 2 metres) in case he actually tried to abuse me as I came past him again.

Runners are the most selfish people alive. I don't mind getting out of people's way, I am practically in the middle of the road avoiding people but every single jogger comes right up on top of me and as I can't see them it is always too late to avoid them.
I would even if they shouted for me to move
I have to say in all the walking i have been doing I think maybe 5% have moved out of my way and not once has someone nodded a thanks- not that I expect either

Macncheeseballs You are correct. However, whether you are a walker, jogger, dog owner, cyclist, there is usually always a way to social distance yourself. I think many people are complaining that there seems to be too many who do not do the right thing.

And again, in my area, I overwhelmingly find it walkers who are not observing the 2 m rule. But then, I have seen a couple of joggers not doing it well in my region also. So, it IS everyone not just one category of exercise that is the 'problem'.