Piers Morgan wants masks worn whilst running...

[Trulyatraditionalman]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

@walkrefuser

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

A group of walkers should afford a runner the same courtesy that they'd afford another walker. For me that would be moving across to single file or two abreast if there is room. Unfortunately most of the groups of walkers I encounter don't do this. I've no idea why.

@ginghamstarfish

Clearly not if on your own in the countryside, but anywhere around other people such as parks, footpaths, then yes, why not. Often there is no opportunity or time for the other people to get out of the runner's way - and why should they have to? If you feel you can't breathe while running in a mask, then try walking.

Unfortunately walking is not such good exercise as running by quite some way.

And I wouldn't wear a mask when walking anyway because it isn't necessary.

I had a prime example just this morning. A group of 3 walkers, walking side by side taking up the entire (quite wide) pavement. It was almost as if they were trying to force me into the road. No effort whatsoever to give me any room at all. Like I said to them, I will move to the side if you give me some room, but I’m not running in the bloody bus lane. Have some courtesy and move across into single file so people can get past you.

A lot of walkers give no consideration to anyone else (other walkers or runners) and if they make no effort then quite frankly I won’t bother either.

This thread has really shown the hatred towards runners.
Wearing a mask while running? Ffs ,Jog on!😂

This thread has made me fancy taking up running just to give me the knowledge that I’m contributing to the indignation of all the whinging frothers in my village

@mrbullinachinashop

Do it.

@Wantubackforgood

If you can't run with a mask on don't run .

If you can’t walk with a mask don’t walk . Or maybe just maybe let’s all give people a bit of space . Don’t go close to people, if your walking 2-3-4 maybe you can all go in a line to allow other walkers/runners /cyclists to pass by freely it literally takes a nano second. Hmmm common sense eh maybe just try that .

Hmmm common sense eh maybe just try that

No arguments here!

It's when you get one person walking a dog on a long lead taking up an entire wide pavement next to a busy road. They see you coming plenty of time in advance but do nothing to make space or move over, and clearly expect you to risk life and limb so their dog isn't mildly inconvenienced.

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

@AlecTrevelyan006

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

So do I. I also judge anyone who wears gloves outside a clinical setting.

What protection do they think they are getting from them?

I agree with him. I'm tired of these people huffing and puffing over everyone. They also are timing themselves and don't stop and let other people pass. The same for cyclists where they are sharing a path with pedestrians, they feel they never need to stop. I'm fed up of selfish behaviour.

I love that every new poster to the thread is using the phrase ‘huffing and puffing’

@AlecTrevelyan006

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

Ooh me too.

@AlecTrevelyan006

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

So do I. And those who literally throw themselves on the ground when they see another person coming. A woman who looked to be in her mid thirties out walking in a nearly empty country park I was running in with lots of space to observe 2m and more actually went into a crouch and turned her head away at the sight of me. I just assumed she was a bit histrionic and called out a cheery "good morning"! No reply of course.

She sticks in my mind because she's the only person I've ever met out running who reacted that way, although I did pass a couple within about 15m on my long run on Sunday who gave me the gimlet eyed stare and no response to my "hello" as I passed too.

I don't think we should really indulge this level of public paranoia. Its not very healthy. You just know if such a rule were ibtiriduced, the paranoid types would be calling for even stricter measures.

@MrBullinaChinaShop

I love that every new poster to the thread is using the phrase ‘huffing and puffing’

I'm doing drills today, hopefully I'll finally be able to "huff and puff", I eel like I'm missing out on the huffing and puffing, will doing that help me break the 26:30 5k?

This thread is hilarious and depressing in equal measures. I am both a runner and a walker. Why is there so much hatred towards runners when the vast majority of them do indeed give you space. People should be encouraged not victimised for trying to exercise when there is an obesity crisis. My experience is that groups of walkers are more likely to not move into single file and move you onto the road, either when I’m walking or running! My 11 year old son gets so annoyed by it that we as a family move to single file when other groups are completely oblivious. There are ignorant people everywhere it is ridiculous to target a singular group of people. If walkers are so annoyed/hysterical about this there is always the option to wear a mask while walking.

WHO advises against runners wearing masks, but sure, let's listen to Piers.

I run by the river and my biggest frustration is walking groups of 2s and 3s taking the entire width of the towpath - so how is anyone meant to pass safely?

Runners are typically passing for less than a second. Last I heard, to transmit outside you have to be within a metre for 15 minutes...

And we're not 'huffing and puffing', we're just breathing! Although I now hold my breath when I pass others, because I don't want to give any more ammunition to the anti-runners tirades.

It's so horrible to see all this finger pointing. The virus is spreading indoors, with peaks where people are not following the rules. Running is allowed, and in the first lockdown, the only reason to leave the house, apart from buying food, was to exercise. General health is really important to protect against covid.

@AlecTrevelyan006

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

Yep. Me too. Anyone wearing a mask in the open air is properly daft.

To answer a pp, mask wearing in Hong Kong is presumably more prevalent because of the higher levels of pollution.

If I encounter a group of walkers when walking I just stop and stand my ground. Then they have no choice but to single file or whatever past me. Unfortunately this option doesn't work when running.
For the benefit of those who don't understand running, is not really a run if you have to keep stopping and starting; which is not so beneficial for the runner as the heart rate then comes down. For most it's nothing to do with time and more to do with trying to get fit.

Runners will always hop into the road in my experience if there's a single person width pavement and a walker on it. Is it too much to hope that a group of people or a single person on a wider pavement would move across to allow the runner to pass safely?

Anyone wearing a mask in the open air is properly daft.

I've tried to work out their logic, but fail every time. Maybe someone can give us an insight as to why they wear a mask outside?

I hate piers

@AlecTrevelyan006

I secretly judge people who wear a mask outdoors

Glad someone else said it ... 🤭

Also - I can't wait for shops, restaurants, cinemas etc to re-open so that I can get my lovely quiet running routes, which I've been using for years, back to normal

As someone said upthread, the only major change is that everyone is being forced to exercise in the same spaces now. And walking is exercise, running is exercise - it's the only reason we're all allowed to be out, so we're all in the same boat together.

I wish I knew of somewhere quieter to run and I already do exercise classes at home too!

Does anyone fancy counting the amount of times "huffing and puffing" has been used in total in this thread?