Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

@exhausteddog

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!

😂 I'm having flashbacks of the Great North Run half marathon.

What a day.

And there are many saying there is no danger whatsoever.

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

Actually the woman featured in the BBC article very much IS an Olympic hopeful and do you really think it's ok for some creep to grope her arse as she runs past him?

What's wrong with a runner saying they are coming through if a group is blocking an entire path in front of them? I often think I need a bell although I am not that keen on them myself, they sound very imperious, but at least I know someone is coming up behind me.

10:18MaddieElla

*"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"

Runners are very strange around you then. Personally I don't run like I'm dressed as Ironman.

You are very ridiculous.*

This made me spit out my tea! Good gracious... Wtf did I start

Went for a lovely maskless run this morning BTW. Achieved a 5k PB thanks to my angry thoughts about Piers and all the witless comments from the anti running brigade on this thread.

@Chloemol

I agree with Piers. My way runners don’t care, then run right up next to you, no running the other side of the run, and their hot sweaty puffy breath goes all over you

Total nonsense. Even when I nearly collided with runners their hot sweaty breath was nowhere near me. Anyway hot and sweaty still does not = germy.

Went for a lovely maskless run this morning BTW. Achieved a 5k PB thanks to my angry thoughts about Piers and all the witless comments from the anti running brigade on this thread

Congratulations!

IrmaFayLear I suggested the airfields and running tracks in stadiums.

Oh that handy empty airfield that every local town has. And those equally convenient tracks in stadiums that are closed til 29th March...

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.

You have some strange ideas about running. I neither "pound" nor carry "tech" after years of running, all I need is a basic watch to tell the time. I do however enjoy being outdoors and exercising, like many people, and I'd far rather run in a nice forest or open peace of ground than a pavement, but there are a dearth of them around here, and its not permitted to drive more than locally.

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

WTAF? The link I posted was to an actual person who is on the British athletics squad, who posted about being sexually assaulted while training on a canal path due to her normal training facilities being closed. You think thats OK? Its actually happened to two British team members, both women. Now I know how the men who do this are raised - by people like you who think its "ok"...how disgusting.

Poppycat how on earth do you know if they are 'germy' or not ?!

Fembot123

I wear a snood type thing that I can pull up to calm down the hysterics as well as giving a wide berth.“

Bit mean. Some people had very real reasons to be worried. I live with a CEV husband and have worn a mask while I’m out walking to protect him. I’m not prone to hysteria, just precautions. Would have very much appreciated your wide berth.

He’s had his first jab now. I don’t need to worry so much but I’ve discovered I’m perfectly comfortable walking in a mask so will probably carry on for a bit, until things have calmed right down. Won’t hurt anyone and might help 🤷‍♀️

@walkrefuser

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

And you have just shown your sense of entitlement that you feel a group of walkers have to use the footpath. Because a single person walking to the side of a busy path wouldn’t need to ‘scatter’ and a runner wouldn’t need to ask to excuse themselves.

And no, a runner does not need to get off the path to accommodate a group of walkers. It is a path built for sharing and it is dangerous for some runners like me to get off the path and end up with injury. In my case I am running to stave of the effects of menopause and bone density is a big part of that.

Not sure why people think groups shouldn’t make space for others using the public path.

I’ve just come back to this thread ... I’ve just been for a lovely run - it’s foggy here so the fair weather pandemic walkers aren’t out , what I could see of the countryside is still lovely . Those walkers I did see said good morning - most of them normally do - but because of this thread I mostly waved at them rather than risking breathing on them! That actually felt a little sad.

I don’t want to run on a treadmill or round a boring track - in the same way the walkers don’t want to either. I’m used to getting out of peoples way .. I’ve been avoiding offlead dogs and conversation engrossed walkers for years and the just plain rude.

We all have the right to be there but running is a lot harder work than walking .. the non runners should try even the first few runs of couch to 5k - then maybe they might do their fair share of the giving way .. they might even improve their health! - and they’d probably understand a little more why some of us would prefer not to wear a mask when running !

Trulyatraditionalman

It’s not just the puffing, it’s the arrogant pavement hogging and single-minded pounding so everyone else has to scatter, because their fitness is absolutely paramount .

You could say exactly the same about walkers!“

(Lone) Walker here 🤗

I’m sure anyone observing my path would think I’m drunk. I’m all over the place trying to keep well out of people’s ways.
I’m not sure I could actually walk in a straight line now 😁

Winesalot,
So you are saying a group of walkers should move to allow runners through?

Went for a lovely maskless run this morning BTW. Achieved a 5k PB thanks to my angry thoughts about Piers and all the witless comments from the anti running brigade on this thread.

Well done you! Powered by anger / frustration... that's helped me to get a PB in the past, too.

Total nonsense. Even when I nearly collided with runners their hot sweaty breath was nowhere near me.

Honestly, I don't get it.

I did the biggest half marathon in the world in 2017 - over 50,000 participants. I may have felt a little claustrophobic at the start line initially until everyone dispersed... but I can honestly, honestly, hand on heart say - I never once felt anyone's hot sweaty breath on me. Maybe I was too immersed in my own running to notice! 🤷‍♀️

Must admit. We don’t care for runners tearing towards us with lots of breath coming out of their mouths. They usually don’t divert from their chosen route and when their isn’t a lot of room we have to get out of their way by going into road or wet, muddy grass.

Strewth, it doesn’t end.

“It is dangerous for some runners like me to get off the path” - well, stop and walk past people then. Menopause isn’t some special pass - quite a few of us are out there and I wasn’t aware we were unable to move onto a verge

As for your comments, @GreenlandTheMovie , it is disgusting if any woman whilst out alone is assaulted. Being an Olympic hopeful is absolutely irrelevant. And your comment about my raising men who would commit such a crime? Just shows you in your true colours - as an arsehole and a running arsehole to boot.

Robintakeover

We all have the right to be there but running is a lot harder work than walking .. the non runners should try even the first few runs of couch to 5k - then maybe they might do their fair share of the giving way .. they might even improve their health! - and they’d probably understand a little more why some of us would prefer not to wear a mask when running !”

Tbf, I think it depends on the “walking” and “running”. I walk quickly, using my arms too (much to the hilarity of the teenagers in the park and the old men saying “go on gal”) and frequently overtake “runners”. My walking marathon time is just under 6 hours now, was 5.5 when I was younger. It’s pretty hard work.

We just all need to be considerate and move aside for people less able or more vulnerable than ourselves.

fitness for fitness sake

I'll put my hand up... Up until a few minutes ago, my main reason for going running was, I'm afraid, for fitness. For the ridiculous and frivolous motivation of maintaining my health, improving my stamina and my musculature, as well as the release of endorphins and the psychological benefits which come with fresh air and regular exercise.
I was selfish, I know.

However, as of a few minutes ago, my primary motivation for going running is to piss off some of the people on this thread.

@walkrefuser

Winesalot, So you are saying a group of walkers should move to allow runners through?

Yes. I am saying a group of walkers should move to allow any other person using the path to overtake them if they are taking the entire pathway up.

Why? Is this an unusual expectation? If so, please explain why this is unreasonable. I do come from another country where this would be the norm.

@MissingLinker 😂

Denise the menace
I completely agree re moving aside for the more vulnerable . I move aside , stop and wait for people with prams, the elderly, wheelchair users etc. Not once have I seen a jogger do that

well, stop and walk past people then. Menopause isn’t some special pass - quite a few of us are out there and I wasn’t aware we were unable to move onto a verge

If you read my post you would see I am talking about groups walking on pathways where there is plenty of room for people to pass without leaving the footpath. I am not talking about single walkers. So no. When a group is taking up an entire footpath, I will ask them to let me through on the footpath if there is plenty of footpath. I run where paths are 2.5 m wide and there really is plenty of room to share. Why is this unreasonable?

Winesalot,

I was not referring to people blocking an entire pathway. Of course no one should block the entire path.
But where people can walk in pairs and groups without blocking the path the jogger should not be passing so closely that they brush my shoulder

This thread has become a circular arguments
Some of the comments from the joggers really do not do much to dispel the poor image that joggers have

IrmaFayLear As for your comments, @GreenlandTheMovie , it is disgusting if any woman whilst out alone is assaulted. Being an Olympic hopeful is absolutely irrelevant. And your comment about my raising men who would commit such a crime? Just shows you in your true colours - as an arsehole and a running arsehole to boot.

Stop trying to explain it away because you're jealous of women who can achieve what you clearly cannot.

Those women had a platform to make what happened to them public in a way that other women it happens to do not. There is absolutely no need to diminish their experiences or anyone publicising them. You literally said it was "ok".

Why cant people just be nice to each other? People around here manage to simply say "hi" to each other as we pass, 2m away. Whether or not one of us is running.

Heres another example of a post from another GB team member of whats happened to her out running.