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

[Fizzysours]

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?

Runners are quite irritating, not individually but how are there suddenly so many runners. One man pretty much ran into me the other day as he came around the corner so fast. I get that's it's a good form of exercise but it's also a pretty leisurely thing to be doing, I don't have time to go for a run. I went for a walk just now but to post something for my dad who has cancer, yesterday my walk was to the pharmacy to get him supplies. I smile to people usually, but don't see why you deserve a medal for running in the road.

Ooh, never heard of "thrawn" before, thanks for the word! :)

I don’t dislike runners but I wouldn’t say thanks either. I figure a runner is focussed on running, I’m in the way, they want to Keep their momentum and time up so they move. That’s it.

No they shouldn’t. I’m a broken record on here, but I think during this time, running should be banned. It’s making me frightened to go out because of the risk of virus from heavy breathing, panty runners and joggers.

No runner has ever swerved for me. I swerve for them and some of them thank me.

@WaxOnFeckOff, so if you pass another walker on a sidewalk the width less than 2 metres, and the other walker gets on the road to make it 2 metres, do you ignore them?

No, because in most cases I'd be the one that moved. When folk are walking, unless you come round a corner and encounter someone, you have plenty of time to work out who is doing what. I tend to do my walk by the easiest route, so if I see someone coming, i'll turn into a side street or across a different path in the grass or whatever so that no-one has to move anywhere if possible.

I had it 4 weeks ago, i'm probably of no risk to anyone and they are no risk to me. But can't be sure, so I'll carry on following the guidance and protecting others where I can. I just don't expect everyone to acknowledge my effort.

@ravenmum thrawn is a brilliant word.

"Why are there suddenly more runners?". You can't work that out? 2m in UK play football regularly, 4.5m have gym memberships, 4m swim regularly in usual circumstances etc etc, they're taking exercise in one of the only forms available to them. Same as the paths are suddenly full of couples and families walking who would usually be in soft play, cinemas, bowling alleys, the pub etc

Why is running more anti social than walking? It seems from here most runners move out the way (and walkers expect them to) whats anti social about it? I choose to run, I run routes I hope will not be crowded so a) I am not a nuisance to others and b) it is more enjoyable. I nod in thanks to cars, other pedestrians or cyclists if they do wait or move for me. I dont force anyone else to run, I dont force anyone to move for me, I wouldnt barge into anyone, or pass them with a 20cm gap. Sometimes I have met people on a path and there isnt room to safely pass so I backtracked and waited.how is any of those affecting anyone else or being unsociable? The only people its marginally unsocial to is my family if I dont get changed straight away!

I always assume runners aren’t really looking at my face or listening to me when they’re going past.
I never really think to say thank you because I always think they don’t want to be disturbed or that they can’t even hear me because of music. I also don’t think they would notice me if I smile at them because they’re focusing on looking ahead, not on my face.

I do say thank you. It's tricky at the moment really as someone has to move and I would presume you were trying to protect yourself from my potential germs if you went into the road before I had the chance to. I think in these circumstances it's good to just be patient with each other.

mostly people just move to either side of the pavement single file here

This is a rarity in my area. I'd say the majority of people that I have observed in my walks and runs expect others (walkers, runners and cyclists) to move for them. They will not walk single file at all to let people have 2 metres between them on the path.

Some places on the path are just wide enough that a person to each side leaves 2 metres and they will not move to allow that. And if you stop a way back and ask, they might move. Or they might not and you will get told off for your being rude enough to interrupt their enjoyment. [hmmm]

It has been said on MN over the past weeks also that it is not up to people to walk single file to allow someone to pass if it ruins their enjoyment of being out.

It is however the attitude I see regularly along my path anyway. The groups did not make space for people to pass safely along the path before social distancing either.

They will not, should be Too many will not

Becasue Abreadsandwich a lot of runners don't do any of the things you've just said. In current circumstances it is probably a bigger risk to the rest of the population as you are expressing more "fumes", travelling a bigger distance and generally more likely to express fumes over other members of the public - even if you are being courteous in all other matters.

If you are doing all the rest of the distancing then you are clearly a lesser risk than some of the runners that other posters on here and other forums are encountering.

Honestly, the last few weeks our local Facebook page has been inundated with complaints about rude runners not leaving enough space between themselves and pedestrians, rude runners coughing and panting near walkers and not slowing or stopping to let walkers past. It has really irked me because when I have been out running (almost everyday) I have always run in the road to move out of the way of walkers, and when I smile and wave or say good morning/evening it has only been returned a couple of times. The uproar about rude runners ruining people’s walks makes me laugh, there are so many families enjoying walks which I think is lovely but 4 people walking across a pavement then makes it difficult for other walkers. I run in the road for ease but we all have a responsibility to move out of each others way. There’s also been complaints that there’s soooo many runners when in fact I think there’s the same amount of runners as always, in fact there is suddenly sooo many walkers. I can guarantee us runners have been running for a lot longer than four person family walks have been taking place. I think we all need to be polite and considerate. Whilst I’m sure there is some rude runners there’s also some rude walkers.

Why is running more anti social than walking

Well quite. Especially slow languid walking which doesn't really constitute "exercise".

As for fumes, well yes, some runners do "outpuff" fumes, but not the ones you are thinking of, or from the same outlet!

Of course I can figure out why in theory there are more runners, but you can work out at home and most people in the world with stricter lockdowns are doing so. Many people are running as more of a leisure activity and new hobby rather than something they've done before. I completely understand why some people without outdoor space need to be out, but where I live people have generous gardens. Sorry but some people are having a bit of a jolly so apologies if the rest of us aren't grateful to see you out!

Many people are running as more of a leisure activity and new hobby rather than something they've done before.

Is this really true though? Many people used to exercise in many different ways and perhaps running is the only way they can do so now. For some, it might be that they run on treadmills, or played football for instance. I know of no people suddenly getting up and running 5 Km without having been at least working on building up to it. You’d end up with injuries just ‘taking it up like a new hobby’.

I would normally run once a week, then go for a long walk or a swim, then an exercise class also once a week. I'd also get other exercise every day walking to shops or to see friends, etc. Exercise classes are cancelled, swimming is cancelled, friends are cancelled. I have a tiny flat and can't exercise indoors. No garden.
I find it hard to sleep at the moment. Going for an hour's run before bedtime helps. I dont run near anyone and take Fisherman's Friends to make sure I don't cough! I feel self-conscious even about breathing heavily where someone else is close enough to notice. And that's without anyone ever saying anything negative to me or even giving me a dirty look. So glad I'm not in the UK if life there is really anything like on Mumsnet.

If I'm expressing more fumes in a country lanes and fields where I've encountered half a dozen people in a 6 mile run, I would think that is less risk than 20 sets of walkers/dog walkers using the same 1 mile of popular footpath near us.

YANBU at all.

People walking 2 & 3 abreast a pavement ... that’s another story .

I find it really weird that a lot of people are behaving as though social distancing means no smiling or pleases and thank yous or even eye contact... I always thank the person who goes out of their way to give me space but I don't really care if I don't get a thank you when I do it.

I walk onto the road for others all the time especially runners panting away. No one says thanks - and I don’t expect them to. We are meant to be 2m apart - you want thanks for protecting yourself and others from the virus? Sorry sounds a bit precious.

I say thanks / smile to anyone going in the road. Also pregnant and I’ve been shocked the amount of times I’ve had to waddle into the road as some middle aged man refuse to stop walking in centre of the pavement towards me.

Saying thanks makes people smile, you don't have to, it's not the law or even Gov guidance, Michael Gove hasn't even recommended it! - Call me precious if you want but I feel adding a little bit of happiness around your community where ever you live is important. Every little helps!

I'm trying to be extra friendly to everyone i see as i find giving everyone a wide berth so weird and unfriendly and people are alwats getting out of my way as i've got a buggy with me. but it's weird times so i'm giving anyone keeping their head down a pass.