Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

@IrmaFayLear

I have been on MN since nearly the beginning, so absolutely not a troll. In fact it feels like I am being “got at” by quite aggressive “runners” on here. I encounter many courteous runners when out and about but it seems the unpleasant bargers defending their behaviour are not out running this morning but pounding on their keyboards instead, so maybe it’s a good moment to go for a walk!

Being on MN for years does not mean you’re not trolling on this particular thread. Or just talking shit. And I’m not even a runner. Hate running. I would defend anyone’s right to do it without wearing a bloody mask though.

@LilMidge01, the vast majority of joggers around here are not considerate!

I’m always genuinely surprised when one of them does move aside - rather than me taking evasive action - but it’s very rare.

Though the same could be said for a lot of walkers around here, too - particularly those couples taking up most of a pavement walking side by side, who can’t possibly be parted and walk in single file for 3 seconds to make enough distance for somebody else.

@IrmaFayLear

I have been on MN since nearly the beginning, so absolutely not a troll. In fact it feels like I am being “got at” by quite aggressive “runners” on here. I encounter many courteous runners when out and about but it seems the unpleasant bargers defending their behaviour are not out running this morning but pounding on their keyboards instead, so maybe it’s a good moment to go for a walk!

I haven't "got at" you - I asked a genuine question about why you enjoy your walks outside (which you ignored). And asked that maybe you consider for some people who run outside (as opposed to a treadmill), they get exactly the same benefits as you do from your walks.

Absolutely ridiculous.

You are right it is ridiculous and actually dangerous for your health. Even when standing or walking slowly you breathe back in some carbon dioxide expelled from your lungs while wearing a mask , so wearing a mask while running is really not a good idea. Idiotic man.

Ironically I can imagine some of the posters insisting runners should exercise indoors would be the ones starting a post "my neighbour is using pounding on their noisy treadmill for an hour when i'm in a zoom meeting/having lunch/putting my child to bed etc"

There are two issues here :
1.The wearing of masks
2.The general lack of consideration to other pedestrians demonstrated by joggers

If 2 wasn't an issue we wouldn't be discussing 1

"Fitness for fitness sake"

I can die happy now, knowing that I have heard everything.

Maybe the people getting worked up need to get a proper sweat on and get their endorphins going.

Fitness for fitness sake

Ridiculous

@IrmaFayLear

I suggested the airfields and running tracks in stadiums.

Why don’t I walk there? Because I walk along pavements - I go in single file, or step to the side if I encounter another pedestrian. I do not pound along, eyes fixed in the distance, weighed down by tech and I don’t power through people because I am doing fitness - which clearly some people on here puts them on a higher plane.

I’m sure there are many courteous runners, but just on this thread those who are not so polite have revealed themselves with such gems as people should give way to runners, they are superior because they aren’t obese (all walkers of course having BMIs of 50) and someone even said they shouted “runner coming through!” Wtf? If I had the nerve I’d reply “runner being a prat!”

And as for the “Olympic hopefuls” that we’re being mean to..... yep.

I'm the one who calls out "runner coming through", what would you prefer that I don't let the people that are oblivious to everything and everyone around them know I'm behind them|? By calling out I give them the chance to move to one side and know that I'm running in the road once more to give them space. You seem to have a real sense of entitlement. No I am not going to try and find an airfield to run round (that wouldn't be staying local for a start), I already try and find routes where I'm less likely to encounter people like you or run at the crack of dawn. IT's called give and take, I am as entitled to use the pavement as you are.

'Runner coming through'!!!
I think you've just proved my point re joggers expecting people to scatter in their wake!

I ran round our local airfield this week. It was quite dull and also busier than other local routes. Lots of dog walkers, cyclists and walkers. And despicable heavy breathing runners, of course.

@Kate139

You are right it is ridiculous and actually dangerous for your health. Even when standing or walking slowly you breathe back in some carbon dioxide expelled from your lungs while wearing a mask , so wearing a mask while running is really not a good idea. Idiotic man.

It’s really not dangerous for the vast, vast majority of people. I’ve been wearing a mask for the majority of my exercise since July. I carry a pulse oximetre with me because I’m still at the tail end of “Long Covid” and from March-June I experienced occasional hypoxia on exertion. Not one single time during even the most intense exercise did my oxygen levels slip below 99. Mask or no mask. Even when I experienced dyspnia or a resurgence of chest inflammation.

Long Covid absolutely fucking sucks. I was essentially bedridden for 3 months and had chest pain and other symptoms for another 6 months. I still have lingering issues. I’m not going to risk being responsible for putting another person through that. Mask wearing during exercise is shitty. But when community transmission is high, not doing what you can to protect others is shittier.

@eurochick

I ran round our local airfield this week. It was quite dull and also busier than other local routes. Lots of dog walkers, cyclists and walkers. And despicable heavy breathing runners, of course.

I am always put off by races on airfields or race tracks because I think they will be a)boring and b)windy even if they are flat!

someone even said they shouted “runner coming through!” Wtf? If I had the nerve I’d reply “runner being a prat!

And there you have it.

A runner needs to yell out because walker isn’t (or walkers) staying over to allow people to pass and yet, the runner is ‘the prat’.

some of the non runners complaining of pounding, huffing and puffing, sweating, barging etc, you should try entering a really big race - you get all this plus queues for a (stinky AF)portaloo, farting, people throwing up, men weeing at the start, and wafts of BO! Its great! you'll get a medal for putting p with it.
And we have to pay for the priveledge - you're getting the experience for free!

@walkrefuser

'Runner coming through'!!! I think you've just proved my point re joggers expecting people to scatter in their wake!

No I don't expect them to scatter, I expect them to show the same curtesy that I show them by making space. And I think it's nice to warn people so that they don't suddenly have someone running past them. Funnily enough, I do the same when I'm coming up behind horses so as not to startle them, call out to warn the riders that I'm coming up behind them. Unlike you, most people actually appreciate it

You can't run round them ? You can't stop and walk ? You must go through ?
If you can't go round them , you need to choose a better running route.

I just find all this hilarious. We’re a year down the line, close to restrictions being lifted and NOW people think bikers and runners should be masked?!

It’s like the signs (homemade) that have appeared on the train bridge at the end of my road asking people not to stand and watch a train as others might have to walk on the (virtually unused) road.... a YEAR LATER PEOPLE!!!

It's completely ridiculous. People are hardly catching covid from somebody going past them for a second. I walk twice a day every day pandemic or not. Sometimes I run. I've never had a problem with anyone getting too close to me. And if they did it would be annoying regardless of whether they wore a mask or not.

@walkrefuser

'Runner coming through'!!! I think you've just proved my point re joggers expecting people to scatter in their wake!

Same sense of entitlement as that cyclist who used an air horn before crashing into someone and killing them!

@IrmaFayLear

I have been on MN since nearly the beginning, so absolutely not a troll. In fact it feels like I am being “got at” by quite aggressive “runners” on here. I encounter many courteous runners when out and about but it seems the unpleasant bargers defending their behaviour are not out running this morning but pounding on their keyboards instead, so maybe it’s a good moment to go for a walk!

How many times you are not going to catch anything in a split second anyone passes you , jogger/runner/cyclist. That’s why people are getting aggressive because you can’t seem to understand.

@walkrefuser

There are two issues here : 1.The wearing of masks 2.The general lack of consideration to other pedestrians demonstrated by joggers

If 2 wasn't an issue we wouldn't be discussing 1

But I would contest the idea that "joggers" demonstrate a general lack of consideration. The odd one might. But I think more walkers are inconsiderate.

It is simply that when people are out they don't like people getting in their way, and that takes me back to my first post on this thread, that pedestrians don't have enough space because we give it all to drivers.

Anyway the whole thing is ridiculous now - the most vulnerable groups have been and are being vaccinated so the vanishingly small risk of contracting it outside has gone down even more.

Plus the fact that masks are not effective outside as they get damp very quickly.

I suggested the airfields and running tracks in stadiums

I actually live fairly close to both (though would have to drive to both, which some MNers don't like either) - there is a disused airfield nearish to me which people do use to run, on and teach their kids to ride their bikes.

Running tracks are closed until 29 March.

@Kate139

You are right it is ridiculous and actually dangerous for your health. Even when standing or walking slowly you breathe back in some carbon dioxide expelled from your lungs while wearing a mask , so wearing a mask while running is really not a good idea. Idiotic man.

There are actually research articles suggesting it's dangerous for a runner's health to wear a mask.