Seeing other runners etiquette

[xsquared]

What are the unspoken rules of running on road and pavements, and when you come across other runners?

Most of the time, they are doing their own thing and I am doing mine, so there is no need to say Hi, wave or smile. I do if it's someone I know or if we happen to make eye contact.

If we're running on the pavement and I'm on the right side of the road and it's narrow, I move onto the road to let them pass, as I can see the traffic.

Today I was on the left pavement , so the traffic was behind me. There is a regular runner I keep seeing who I usually have to move out of the way for. I kept myself to the left as much as possible and she was closer to the road so there was room for us to pass each other without her having to step onto the road, but she did something very strange and started heading towards me, so she was moving to her right and I panic and say "Left!" She crashes into me anyway. Neither of us are hurt and I know I shouldn't give this as much headspace as I am doing now, but it bothered me for some reason.

I'm not sure there are any rules. I don't say hi to other joggers, or anyone else for that matter, because I live in a city and it would be weird.

The pavements here are wide enough for 2 people to pass, so I pick a side and the other person usually does too. I've never had anyone run at me, as runners are generally looking where they're going, so I would think it deliberate if someone did that, and yes would be annoyed.

It's usually people walking that are the problems, the ones looking at their phone and weaving all over the pavement, those walking 3 abreast , and people with dogs on those extending leads!

I generally think it's my job to move out of the way of them though as I'm going faster!

Yes, I agree that we do usually look where we're going because we have to, so I thought it was very odd that she did what she did!

Pedestrians glued to their phones, especially those with headphones as well, are a real hazard whether I'm running, walking or cycling.

Fortunately most of the time pedestrians have been courteous enough to move to one side, or I've alerted them and have moved round them without a problem.

There is a rule, it's keep left.

I just say "morning" as an acknowledgement and keep out of the way on the left. If I'm coming up behind someone walking I call out "good morning" or similar as I approach so they can see me. Sometimes if there are loose dogs I slow to a walk as otherwise they can think there's a game afoot and start to try and play. But I am rural and mostly run on lanes where there's lots of room. Getting out of the way of the mad farmers on tractors is a challenge.

I am plagued by people (mostly men, sometimes other runners) telling me "Well done, you can do it" and "not far to go now." Or last week "the oxygen tent's just over there." I didn't think I was struggling...Anyway, I hate this.

@CatherineMaitland A few months ago I was struggling uphill on my bike because there was a problem with the gears, not anything to do with fitness, and a woman called out to me "just think of the calories!". I was livid, I'm a perfectly healthy weight, size 8/10 and don't need to think about any calories except for taking in more so I can keep exercising 😤 What is more, I resent the idea that any woman must be assumed to be exercising just to lose weight.