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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think runners are getting a lot of hate atm

298 replies

HerstoryInTheMaking · 07/04/2020 17:45

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.

OP posts:
Sounsociable · 08/04/2020 21:50

What gets me is the ones who call others out, particularly on social media and the reason they're aware of this is because they were there themselves, adding to the problem they're calling others out on. For example, I live near a beauty spot and it is a popular place for a walk on Good Friday. The council and water company have asked people to do away with tradition this year and stay away. They are closing off roads in but people are calling for police presence.
Yesterday some guy commented on our local FB page that he had gone out on his bike to this spot and there were car parks full and people walking dogs etc. My first thought was "well you were there on your bike, you're part of the problem!"

This annoys me as well. We had a patronising post on our local fb page saying "well done (insert town) for keeping social distancing - I noticed how quiet it was on my daily walk" I think what they meant was well done for not going out at the same time as me! Same when it was busy people were huffing and putting how busy it was but they only knew because they were there! I had no idea how busy it was as i wasnt in town. All thinking they had a valid reason to be there but others were creating the problem!

larrygrylls · 08/04/2020 21:52

There are a lot of runners still obsessed with improving times rather than looking around them and avoiding people.

I really don’t think this is the time to go for a PB, it is a time to look around and be considerate of others.

Aside from the fact that if you push yourself really hard, you temporarily impair your immune system. If you then get an infection, you are more likely to get really sick (or worse). This is neither sensible nor considerate.

When I run at the moment (normally weekly) I spend a lot of time running in roads, over grass and jogging on the spot so as not to go close to people. When out walking with my kids I rarely receive the same consideration from other runners.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/04/2020 21:54

I've heard of runners doing laps round their yard or garden to take their miles in!

Like this nutter www.cnn.com/2020/03/23/world/balcony-marathon-trnd/index.html

recrudescence · 08/04/2020 21:58

if you are not leaving someone 2 m to pass you when you are able then, I think it probably should be your job too. If you are leaving plenty of path for others to pass, it shouldn’t be a problem even without social distancing.

Well, if the path is so wide that someone can run past me with a clearance of 2 metres, I don’t think there’s much of an argument. Crack on. Otherwise, I expect runners to slow down to my pace and say, “excuse me, please”. I would then step aside. Not my job to keep looking over my shoulder to anticipate the runner’s entitlement to pass me without breaking stride.

Ronnie27 · 08/04/2020 22:01

It’s usually cyclists tbf. I’m a triathlete, I have thick skin. Grin

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/04/2020 22:04

I expect runners to slow down to my pace and say, “excuse me, please”. I would then step aside.

Your expectations are high for someone who thinks,

Not my job to keep looking over my shoulder

Why do I have to be polite and you don't? I try BTW but I don't understand why you can't also try.

Russellbrandshair · 08/04/2020 22:08

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

Totally agree! Running is fantastic for the lungs and the heart. Health of both protect against corona damage.

To be honest, I’m also getting a bit tired of people moaning about runners whilst puffing on their 35th cigarette of the day. Sorry, but you can’t be “that” concerned about protecting yourself from corona if you’re filling your lungs with tar and carcinogens multiple times a day......... that’s going to put you at a FAR higher risk of dying from covid than someone running past you in the street.

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 22:22

People looking after their fitness is less of a burden on the nhs.

recrudescence · 08/04/2020 22:23

MrsTerryPratchett

If you can’t bring yourself to slow down and utter the words, “excuse me, please” I don’t think much of your manners or common decency.

And no, it is absolutely not my job to keep looking over my shoulder to anticipate your need to pass without breaking your stride. It would be nice if you could just put aside your arrogant sense of entitlement and, you know, speak to the person you want to overtake.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/04/2020 22:52

If you can’t bring yourself to slow down and utter the words, “excuse me, please” I don’t think much of your manners or common decency.

My point, s l o w l y, is that I do try but you don't want to. I run very slowly, I slow down for others, I do ask nicely. Why don't you want to help by looking behind you and moving over?

I say 'excuse me' rather than 'excuse me please' though. Because why?

recrudescence · 09/04/2020 08:53

My point, s l o w l y, is that I do try but you don't want to. I run very slowly, I slow down for others, I do ask nicely. Why don't you want to help by looking behind you and moving over?

My point, even more s l o w l y, is that I do not feel obliged to be constantly looking over my shoulder just in case a runner wants to zoom past without slowing or speaking.

gingganggooleywotsit · 09/04/2020 08:54

@MrsTerryPratchett sorry but that is a ridiculous argument. You expect people walking to look behind them constantly? Absurd. If you are coming up behind someone YOU are the one that can see ahead in advance that someone is in front of you, and YOU therefore have the time to move to one side. Stop blaming others and take some responsibility

larrygrylls · 09/04/2020 09:00

Also being fit and healthy is positive. Being super fit is negative in terms of dealing with disease.

It is well known and backed up by good research that athletes have weak immune systems when doing intense training.

The sensible thing for runners is to run less and at a pace which does not push them to the limit, allowing their immune system to stay strong and also giving them time to not excrete aerosol on families out for a walk.

BubblesBuddy · 09/04/2020 09:28

I know more super fit people who have died young or got serious illnesses than the mildly fit! Usually triathletes. Never mind all the ex people who played rugby, football and runners who have had knee replacements. They always have something wrong with them! The fit tend to be less fit in their 60s and need the NHS more than others.

zafferana · 09/04/2020 09:28

Runners and cyclists are getting a lot of grief from walkers of all kinds, who seem to think they have the right of way and anyone moving faster than them should be the one to give way. We ALL need to give way and the one(s) for whom it's easier to do so, should.

I'm a regular outside runner and will always go on the road/grass if approaching more slow-moving people, but a little bit of consideration/politeness from everyone is all that is needed. Narrow paths are a problem and I'm avoiding them where possible, but there are always bottlenecks.

My biggest problem is slow moving walkers who are chatting/on their phones and completely oblivious to their surroundings. It's not appropriate to behave like that at the moment. We all need to be aware of others so we can all stay safe.

larrygrylls · 09/04/2020 09:39

Zafferana,

It is possible to stop and run on the spot at bottlenecks until they clear.

Everyone does need to show consideration but the faster moving (and, presumably, more agile) need to only overtake when safe to do so, just as you would in a car.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 09/04/2020 09:44

Runners and cyclists are getting a lot of grief from walkers of all kinds, who seem to think they have the right of way and anyone moving faster than them should be the one to give way

Yep - and haven forbid pedestrians make space on the path, then act surprised when you either say "excuse me" or nearly crash into them when they refuse to move in single file.

I'm personally finding dog walkers to be a fucking nightmare at the moment - they don't move in one direction, they chuck balls back and forth for their dogs, run about after them so me and the kids have to stand there until they stop dicking about. Yesterday a woman was doing this whilst on the phone and kept getting close to us - stop being a nob and keep moving

larrygrylls · 09/04/2020 09:47

Talking of people on phones, I have seen far too many runners checking watches or Fitbits etc, oblivious of people around them.

Winesalot · 09/04/2020 10:09

just as you would in a car

This is exactly what people are trying to say. If you were driving in a car, you would be negligent if you did not look in the rear view mirror to be aware of what is happening around you.

EVERY user of the road, or the path, is responsible. If you want to walk in your own bubble of peace then keep to the side of the path so people can overtake you. It is a public use path to be shared. If you are in a group, then, yes, you do have a responsibility to look around and pull over if you are taking up most of the path. If your dog is going up to people, either put it on a leash or recall the dog.

It is not a competition of who has seen the most poorly behaved class of 'exerciser'.

BubblesBuddy · 09/04/2020 11:07

I would check in my rear view mirror but I still wouldn’t expect or condone the “boy racer” behind me to overtake at 100 mph! The rules are to slow down to a safe pace! Cars, cyclists, runners, joggers or even power walkers. Just look out for those slower than you and give them space. Jogging on the spot is no hardship.

BubblesBuddy · 09/04/2020 11:09

To take the car comparison a step further, if you crash into someone when behind them, in a car, you will be at fault. Every time. So slow down and back off.

Winesalot · 09/04/2020 11:16

To be honest BubblesBuddy I think that most of the runner posters on here are the ones who do 'Slow down and back off'. I certainly do. It is just like most of the 'walkers' I come across have the self awareness to not expect to walk in the middle of the path that is busy with bikes and other people.

However, since you mentioned it. I also believe that if you are driving dangerously, which includes 'too slow for the specific road conditions' and not keeping left, then you will be the one at fault.

BubblesBuddy · 09/04/2020 11:21

I think you will find the police will charge the driver that runs into the back of another car irrespective of the speed of that car. The driver is expected to have due care and attention. That includes being aware of slow drivers. However, I think most of us to respect each other but it’s sad when we see people who are selfish and so self absorbed they are not aware of others.

I’m not moving out of the way for cyclists who are on the footpaths in the woods though. They will have to go round me as they are not allowed on them!

Winesalot · 09/04/2020 11:33

it’s sad when we see people who are selfish and so self absorbed they are not aware of others.

This is the point.

As is my point, that if a walker is keeping to the side and sharing the path, there is absolutely no problem . Most runners I pass do keep to the left (some to the right) but mostly to the side. I am also aware that there are plenty of idiot runners too.

I’m not moving out of the way for cyclists who are on the footpaths in the woods though. They will have to go round me as they are not allowed on them! Fair enough. They are dicks for riding where they are not allowed.