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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Can people say thanks when I run into the road for them?

306 replies

Fizzysours · 15/04/2020 11:25

I am a runner and going out once a day. I try to choose a quieter time. I ALWAYS run into the road to give pedestrians of any age plenty of safe space. It's usually really obvious to see that I have done this as our area is fairly quiet. A quarter of people say thanks or a cheery morning. By 'thanks' I mean a smile, a raised hand or ANYTHING. It would be nice if more people could manage the tiny pleasantries that make everyone's day a bit friendlier, especially when we are all so divided?

OP posts:

FaFoutis · 15/04/2020 12:48

Yes Disquieted.

cologne4711 · 15/04/2020 12:50

Well for what it's worth I have had plenty of people acknowledge me when I've crossed the road or gone wide.

DollyDoneMore · 15/04/2020 12:50

Can’t believe there are really people bothering to post on here that they won’t be saying thank-you, Thank You Very Much.

It’s small courtesies like this that keep us all civilised. Why is saying thanks - not even saying thanks, just smiling, nodding or catching someone’s eye - a problem to anyone?

PilatesPeach · 15/04/2020 12:52

I think it is nice to say thanks or nod to whoever moves out of the way whether they are a walker, a runner, someone walking their dog or a cyclist if it is a shared pavement/cycle path. No one trumps the other, it is just courtesy imo.

Otherrooms · 15/04/2020 12:52

Of course, we're less likely to use healthcare resources... just sayin....

Wow!
Couldn't be further than the truth!
There is a reason professional athletes have a team of medics on hand.
As for the London marathon... all those 10k runners collapsing all over the place! Twisted ankles, torn hamstrings...
A colleague of mine broke two wrists when she fell running.
That won't happen from the comfort of my sofa.

Enjoy your cheese on toast. Watch those arteries OP.

dontdisturbmenow · 15/04/2020 12:53

I do it so I don’t have to slow down or stop
Why would you slow down or stop? In normal circumstances, you'd passed close to them and that would be that. They now continue as before, you're making a change to your run.

Yesterday, I was in the middle of a large the pavement, noone coming in front, but I suddenly sensed someone behind me, a guy running faster so I moved suddenly as left as I could so he didn't need to on the road. He thsnked me with a brief hand gesture. I would have done the same.

DollyDoneMore · 15/04/2020 12:53

I would assume you were doing it to protect yourself.

Not everyone is a selfish prick, though. Maybe assume that.

Inkpaperstars · 15/04/2020 12:55

You are only doing what you ought to do, but still see no reason people can't raise a hand to acknowledge it sometimes.

Mind you OP, I am not sure you are correct about the health resources. I know several people who have been struck with heart attacks or other illness out of nowhere and oddly the majority were seemingly superfit runners and cyclists. One had a heart attack while cycling. He had done high level sports all his life, very slim and active. These activities put strain on the body.

Even when they don't, they are no defence against this current virus. If someone has a relevant underlying condition including being very overweight that may raise their risk, but amongst the rest of the people in any age group I don't think runner or walker or whatever is going to make any difference. If your body gets to that second stage of the illness I don't think its a factor. Many doctors I have seen interviewed have stated this and referenced fitness professionals they have ventilated in ICU.

By all means keep up the good work, I am sure general fitness will help you health wise and I seem to remember hearing that muscle tone helps immunity, not sure why.

Ariela · 15/04/2020 12:56

As a car driver I wouldn't say thanks if you stepped into the road without looking. Electric cars are SO quiet and if you also have headset on how the heck do you think you'll hear it?

AmelieTaylor · 15/04/2020 12:58

I realise now I sound like a running twat

I shan't argue with you.

OhCaptain · 15/04/2020 12:59

Why would you slow down or stop? In normal circumstances, you'd passed close to them and that would be that. They now continue as before, you're making a change to your run.

What? If I want to pass by with enough distance between us, and I can’t do that on the path, then I move.

I WOULD have to slow down or stop if I didn’t move around them?

Wolfiefan · 15/04/2020 12:59

Cheese on toast. Yum!
Well if we meet then we will both end up in the road! Runners may be MUCH faster than me but if I’m out I’m walking the giant hounds. And people take priority over dogs!!
Daft thought! Have you got earbuds in? I often don’t thank people if they’re clearly listening to music as I assume they can’t hear me.

FaFoutis · 15/04/2020 13:03

*I would assume you were doing it to protect yourself.

Not everyone is a selfish prick, though. Maybe assume that*

True, some are just pricks.

TheOrigBrave · 15/04/2020 13:05

Joggers and runners are annoying for those people who are out for a walk,

I think you meant to say "Some" joggers and runners.

I only annoy drivers who don't slow down to pass me or (heaven forbid) stop for 15 seconds to allow me to find a safe space to wait while they pass.

B1rdbra1n · 15/04/2020 13:10

I'm a runner a walker and a cyclist I am doing everything I can to be as polite and accommodating to everyone I say please thank you please thank you please thank you pretty much on repeat as I'm running

WitsEnding · 15/04/2020 13:11

If you are running very early, the sun is low that I may not even see you if it's in my eyes. Most people do say thank you (as a pedestrian I often evade runners and cyclists).
Sometimes both of us move sideways and then it's just a wave.
Sometimes runners have headphones on and don't acknowledge anyone.

BoingBoingyBoing · 15/04/2020 13:12

Meh, bit weird to expect thanks.

B1rdbra1n · 15/04/2020 13:12

I'm a bit surprised that people are arguing that the risks of exercise are greater than the risks of not exercising, good luck with that one 😳
oh well the fewer people I have to move out of the way for when I'm running the better!

PhoebesBirthMom · 15/04/2020 13:13

I don't think anyone needs to be thanked for not walking/running into others. It's a given that you move aside!

A thanks is nice, for sure. But not compulsory.

Abreadsandwich · 15/04/2020 13:13

OP I do this all the time, I've probably passed 20 sets of people where I've run in the road and they've carried on walking 2 or 3 or 4 abreast sometimes with a dog, making no effort to move and not acknowledging that I have made a detour into the road. I'm not talking about coming from behind people so they dont know you're there I'm talking about people who would very clearly see me coming and could potentially also move.

Kaykay066 · 15/04/2020 13:17

Perhaps check before you step into the road or cross the road as a woman nearly was flattened by me recently running across the road with her dog right in front of my car I slammed breaks on and she turned and shouted at me, sorry love but I was on the road I stopped didn’t hit you but you ran in front of a car with earphones in but it would’ve been my fault if I’d killed you, I was on my way to work as a nurse so that was a a fun shift as I was upset by her snorting at me but yes I would thank someone for moving into the road for me if they were safe and I also move to the side whilst on foot if possible

PinaColadaintheRain · 15/04/2020 13:17

Honestly just give people a break! No I’m not thanking everyone who keeps out of my way. Nor do I expect it from people I go out of the way for. It’s totally OTT to expect this. It’s just what we all do now.

PutThemInTheIronMaiden · 15/04/2020 13:19

I'm already clapping for the NHS. Now I'm going to take a little roll of red carpet out on my walks for joggers.

alloutoffucks · 15/04/2020 13:19

When there are runners I am scared of being infected by the slipstream so always turn my head well away from them and cover my mouth.

Candyfloss99 · 15/04/2020 13:20

I run out of the way of people all the time and couldn't care less whether they thank me or not. If it's my choice to move then I don't need thanked for it.

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