Wednesday, September 17, 2014

8 Pet Peeves You May Have About Runners

Today I was at the grocery store and someone behind me committed the ultimate sin. I was doing my thing in my space by the register. I think it is a given that when you are in your register space, the person behind you gives you a few feet of space until all of your groceries are bagged, you have paid and you are on your way. Well, Aunt Edna behind me did not have a sense of personal space and stood behind me breathing on my French braid. That is very much not allowed.

I try not to let the “little” things bug me, but sometimes I can’t help it. We all have those things. And, believe it or not, there are  humongous pet peeves in the world of running. Don’t get me wrong, I happen to adore other runners. But there are about 8 things that do annoy me.

1. Stoppers. Runners who stop in the middle of a race to take a selfie, tie their shoe, cop a squat, whatever. I know sometimes stopping is essential, but for the love of Pheidippides, move to the side of the road, trail or path.

2. Porta potty go-ers who do not put the seat down as they are leaving the can. I very much despise walking into a porta potty and being welcomed by a pit full of steaming crap. I know the crap is there, but I’d rather not witness it. Closing the seat before you leave is just a common courtesy (just to clarify, I open/close the seat with my foot. Yes, I am that talented. I am not big on having e.coli on my fingers).

3. Non –Wavers. I consider myself to be a friendly type out on the roads. I like to acknowledge my fellow runners and cyclists. If I were a Harley Chick I would learn that special wave that the motorcyclists do with one another. If I were in a gang, I would invent a unique handshake that bonded us for life. So, I just don’t understand the runners who stare at me like I am crazy when I wave to them. I like it when people wave! When they are nice! When they acknowledge me! I am needy, yes it’s true. But, I am a friendly needy type!

epicbethrun

4.  Garmin Die-Hards. Don’t get me wrong. I love my Garmin. I rarely run without it. It annoys me, however, when people argue with the race director if their Garmin says something different than the actual race distance. Garmins are not fool proof! They are not always right!

5. Unsolicited Advice Givers (UAGs). I did a whole post about this awhile back. The UAGs are the ones who you meet out on the road while running or who are part of a running group They are the ones who watch you run and give you unsolicited tips on your form. They are the ones who ask you about your training plan and tell you why it sucks. They are the ones who know everything without really knowing anything! I love advice. When I ask for it.

6. Change Lovers. Okay, I realize maybe you are on your way to a gumball or vending machine so you need to carrying $4 worth of change in your pocket. However, to other runners the clinking of quarters and dimes is enough to make all of us want to punch you (and steal your money).

7. Spitters. Spitting in and of itself while running is not a problem. In fact, I do it constantly. The problem is when a runner does not have aim and spits on another runner. I had this happen to me in a race. It was icky.

8. Treadmill Talkers. If you are able to run on the treadmill and talk on the phone you are either going to fall off or you are not working hard enough.

 

Give me your pet peeves.  If it is running with people who fart, then I am your worst nightmare.

SUAR

110 comments:

  1. One of small joys I have when I am out running is realizing I am going to catch and pass the runner in front of me. A few footfalls behind them, I hate it when they just STOP. I have to do everything in my power not to plow into them. I hate that!

    By the way, how is the knee?

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    1. Thanks for asking. Not sure yet. I ran yesterday and pain started at mile 4. Took today off. Been icing and rolling. Will give it another shot on Friday.

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  2. One pet peeve of mine is the linebacker runners... the ones who run three to four people side by side, yakking the whole way. Oblivious to the poor souls trying to pass. This is not football. There is no need to cover the quarterback. Let me through, people!

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  3. Ditto on the non wavers. Is it really too much effort to acknowledge a friendly wave? Sheesh.

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  4. In trail races, people who refuse to step aside and let other runners pass safely. And I'm not talking about elites who are running for money.

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    1. YES!! I have had this many times on a narrow single track trail.

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  5. I ran a half on Labor Day. I passed a lady at mile 2 that was walking and getting a drink from her trusty fuel belt. Minutes later, she comes running past me, gets 20 yards ahead of me, stops to walk and drink. So I passed her...again. We did this for 5 miles! I wanted to strangle her with that fuel belt. I finally smoked her on a downhill and never saw her...or her fuel belt again!

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    1. really? people actually stop when they drink. and have you ever heard of run/walk intervals. believe it or not, you can actually smoke a run/runner using that method, which by the way, requires stopping!!

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    2. Thank you, Anonymous! I have no desire to run anything without doing intervals. I am coming back from an injury and am doing 1:1s right now. I am pretty sure I pissed off a few people the other day. but why are you running so close behind me? Also, I keep myself close to the side of the road/path/sidewalk so I am not in the way and when racing I look behind me to see if I need to move one direction or another when I know I'm about to walk.

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  6. Little kids zigzagging, running in circles. Almost collided during a 5k with a boy who darted unexpectedly in my path.

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    1. This is my pet peeve too!

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    2. I hate it worse when those kids pass me! Now, get off my lawn!

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  7. Oh I totally hate #1 and 3!!! Even just smile at me, how hard is that??

    Also the people walking or running on trails, yes, 3, 4, 5 across. They don't want to move for anyone!

    Oh my other pet peeve is the people who line up at a race near the 7-8 min mile pacers. And then proceed to walk. Um....okay.....

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  8. Mine is the people who run down the middle of the path and won't move over to let you pass. Last week it was a walker, swinging his umbrella from side to side. He was coming towards me, so on my next pass, I let my business fingers do the talking as I swung my arms by my sides and ran by. He probably didn't even notice, but it made me feel better!

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  9. When couples walk side by side on the three lane track at my gym and don't move over when people try to squeeze past. Move!!

    And non-running related: when the person sitting behind you sighs so deeply you can feel their hot, icky breath. Ugh!

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  10. The non-wavers really get me too! At least smile or something!

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  11. The walkers that start with the 8 minute milers!

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  12. 2 bikers side-by-side on the trail coming toward me while I'm running and not moving single file. It drives me crazy that many bikers cannot share the trail! I've learned to yell "Move over" pretty easily now.

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  13. The treadmill runners who run approximately 10 seconds at 8mph, then jump to the side and rest for 50 seconds while the belt continues to turn. Repeat for 30 minutes.

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    1. Oops, sorry. I do this when I'm doing speed intervals during the winter time (when it's too unsafe to do them outside in the dark). I'll go 60 sec then rest for 60 sec. It's easier than trying to slow down / speed up the treadmill which beeps whenever I hit a button so I figured jumping on and off would be less distracting to those around me.

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    2. was doing hard TM intervals when I realized I forgot to grab a rag....left the TM running at 10mph and stepped away for 30 seconds, only to see a woman walk up to it and step onto the fast-moving belt....serious face-plant...those white lines on the belt are there for a reason, people: to show movement. I got yelled at by the gym police, even though I told them it was just an experiment to prove or disprove Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection...

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  14. Runners running in the bike lanes in the street. SO dangerous for runners, bikers, and cars!
    How is your knee feeling?

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    1. Guilty. I run facing traffic so I can see oncoming cars and cyclist and can get out of their way. Our sidewalks are terrible, uneven and in desperate need of repair that I often find them more dangerous than the trails around here so I run in the bike lane.

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    2. I am guilty too.....I definitely get over when cars/bikes approach but for my safety I have to run in the bike lanes. Have had way too many friends wipe out on the uneven sidewalks.

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    3. Yep. Me, too. Though I too jump out of the way when I see a vehicle. I try to be as responsible on the road as I expect vehicles to be. We're a team here People. Workin' together to keep everyone alive.

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  15. I'm 100% with you about the non-wavers! I mean... how hard is it to wave or say hi???

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  16. Non-wavers and treadmill walkers (when they're all taken). And I must confess I am occasionally a treadmill talker but at 6min/mile pace so I'm still working!
    www.karhusportscience.com

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  18. Non-wavers and those who run 3 abreast on the trail are definitely annoying. How hard is it to give a small wave or nod??

    Oh, and those folks who crowd your space at the check out line? Happens to me pretty often b/c I move down and help bag my groceries, so "Aunt Edna" thinks she can move all the way up to the payment spot. So, what I do is turn to the check-out person and exclaim, "Today's my lucky day! So-and-so here is going to pay for my groceries!!" And since my bill usually tops $200, they step back pretty quickly. So annoying. Jerks!

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    1. I like that tactic! I do the same, bag my groceries, then when I step back in, Edna is there. Back off sister!

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  19. I live in a rural community and we have a lot of rude people. We don't have trails to run on or sidewalks unless I drive 15 minutes or more from home. So we run on the road, all the way off to the side, traffic aware etc. Then we have these folks that try to get as far to the side of the road and act like they are going to hit us and laugh. I need to move to a more polite area of the country apparently!

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    1. Geez Staci. We must be from the same area in central Oklahoma :(. People here are so freaking rude!!

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  20. I am in 100% agreement with your pet peeve #8 - I am going to expand it to any cardio machine talkers, though. I was at a gym while on vacation and there were only four elliptical machines. There were two ladies who were using them, and there was one machine empty between them. I got on that machine and began my workout only to be totally disturbed to realize that they were going to hold a conversation AROUND me. They literally leaned forward to look at each other. I even asked them at one point if they wanted to switch with me so they could talk. They politely said, "Nope" and continued their conversation. UGH! Needless to say, I got out of there quickly!

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    1. in this instance, I'd probably start talking to myself whenever either of them opened their traps...or maybe singing Bohemian Rhapsody very loudly

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  21. I agree with most of yours and want to add one. The runner who passes you in a race then pulls right in front of you and slows down. So far none of these people have bet me to the finish line, it motivates me. Perhaps it isn't all bad :)

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  22. Stoppers are my biggest pet peeve, or like another reader said those that pass you then slow down immediately. But the porta potty seat, I have to disagree with you. In theory I agree, but in most of the ones I've been in I do not want to touch anything but the tissue when I'm done.

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    1. I was going to say the same thing. I try to touch as little as possible, especially anything near the toilet seat, the part that is near the most butts!

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    2. I use my foot to close it!! I'm with you!

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  23. All of the above. And the "newbie event runners' (those who are embarking on a longer distance, etc. and ask for advice yet blatantly refuse to take it. They usually chronically complain about how their training sucks (because they haven't taken any advice from the "been-there-done-it peeps") ;-)

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  24. I have been snot rocketed on once in a marathon. I hate spitting to begin with, so that experience was HORRIBLE. I agree with the stopping. Stop on the SIDE, not in the middle of the race. Oh, I am with you on the grocery line thing. My husband and I get really passive aggressive and when someone creeps up our ass (that's what we call it) we take a tiny step backwards, and then act surprised when we brush up against that person. Then we're like, "Oh, excuse me" and the person behind us realizes how far up our ass they were and back off.

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  25. My number 1 pet peeve is the non-wavers, too. Although I will say that runners are generally more friendly than cyclist. I run on a greenway trail that is several miles long and attracts a lot of cyclists and when I wave or say hi I usually just get a glare. Maybe I'm annoyingly friendly??

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  26. The people out walking their dog and let the leash out across the entire path. Or let their dogs take over the whole path and just stand there as you try and pass with 2 barking dogs yipping at you.

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  27. Ok, I've got a lot of these, because I'm a little bitchy. 1) Like others, I can't deal when people (hate to say it, but usually newbies) take up the whole road in a race. My first marathon was Nike Women's in San Francisco and the half-marathoners were really bad about this. 2) In a small, semi-rural race, this one woman had her music BLARING, like SO LOUD you could hear it if you were ANYWHERE around her. I didn't want to turn on my music because I was out trying to enjoy my natural surroundings! 3) On a track, walkers who change lanes - if I start in one lane to avoid running into you, please don't change into my lane (why would you do that, I have no idea). Told you I was bitchy.

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  28. I have to admit I'm guilty of #2, but only in port-o-potties. At home the seat must be down and I have trained my two sons and husband well. But honestly, I don't want to touch the lid of a nasty port-o-potty (and I only hover and not sit) and was thinking I was saving the next person of doing the same thing. I mean, that's the only thing you do in there, right?

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    1. Absolutely! It's actually never even occurred to me to TOUCH the lid and put it down. Gross.

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    2. That's why you do it with your FOOT!!

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    3. I don't think I'm coordinated enough to close it with my foot. Lol

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    4. Hahaha! Well, I was a gymnast way back when...

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  29. Non-wavers, definitely. I see the same woman every weekend and I wave at her every time like an idiot, because she just looks at me and keeps going. Rude.
    I run on a bike trail and it drives me nuts when bikers don't warn me they're about to pass. I cannot count how many times I've been "buzzed" by people on their bikes! Grrr...
    And I also run on a rural road with a very narrow shoulder. Cars and trucks go screaming by me without bothering to move over or slow down at all. I try to keep off the road as much as possible, but I always feel like I take my life in my hands when I go out there.

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  30. This post made me chuckle. I agree with everything except the port-o-potty thing...when the line is long and there's lots of people, I leave the lid up. Plus I don't want to have to touch it at all to get it up or down. I always think when the lid is closed, why did that person close the lid when there's a 100 people in line. But I can definitely see the perspective.

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    1. I agree with you here! I don't want to have to lift the lid with my foot because I sure as hell am not going to touch the seat! Keep it open so I can get in and get out :)

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  31. Runners that run in the predawn hours and are not wearing ANYTHING reflective! Are they on a suicide mission or what? I live in BFE, so there are very few street lights and on my way to work I will barely see someone on the shoulder, running, in black, and I've come close to hitting them because they are not careful! Get a headlamp and a vest for crying out loud!!!

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  32. So if we close the toilet seat, don't you still have to open it? Or do women use the urinal too when going #1?

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    1. Yes, you do I suppose. I don't tend to use the urinal. Ever.

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  33. If you want to listen to music during a race, USE YOUR HEADPHONES!!! Not everyone around you wants to listen to your music!

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  35. Non-wavers for sure...I mean, at least smile if someone waves at you, you don't even have to take the energy to lift your hand, just nod for crying out loud. I run by the same gal every morning (a non-waver) and, on purpose, I give her the biggest, toothy, crazy-eyed killer grin and wave like Miss America (pretty sure she will one day report me). Also hate guys who rev their engines or honk, and scare the bejesus out of ya...I mean, really? If you are over the age of 16 and you still do that...chances are you have a really small pee-pee. Hope your knees heals up fast...soaking in Epsom salt baths really helped me as well as one legged squats, balance exercises (stretching/foam/RICE). I kept getting reinjured, but finally followed someone's advice and started back really, really, really slow..... 2 miles for 3 days...if no pain, than 3 miles for 3 days, etc., and worked back up over a few weeks. Great blog by the way...you make me spit my coffee out on a regular basis (laughing).

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    1. This was way too funny. Love the outlandish attempt to embarrass the nonresponsive lady. And I'm not sure how a male's childish behavior is measured by his pee pee but, it works for me.

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  36. When a race includes walkers and those walkers decided to walk 6 or more wide. There really is no need for that.

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  37. Non-wavers! Ugh! I have a runny buddy who gets downright FURIOUS when people don't wave back or return his good morning/evening greeting. I don't get as offended as he does, but I do get miffed when people don't return a greeting.

    But the #1 thing that runners do that annoys me is not practicing safe running. Nothing makes me more angry than seeing someone running with traffic, in the dark without reflective gear, or on a road that is risky to be running on. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you should. I always want to stop and lecture these people. "I'm glad you're running BUT seriously, it's 8 pm, this is a 2 lane country road with a 55 mph speed limit and a 3 ft shoulder, and you're wearing black. WHAT ARE YOU DOING??"

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  38. I greet more than I wave, and most people greet me in return. But a funny thing happened to me a few months back - I was running past a group of school cyclists coming the other way, and I kept greeting them but not one person replied. I was a bit miffed at this but then had to laugh at myself when I saw the following vehicle behind them, and it bore the name of the local deaf school. A big lesson learnt that day!

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  39. I can't stand it when people with shoulder length or longer hair run with their hair down. You're not on Baywatch, pull your hair back.

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    1. Oh man, I forgot how much THAT annoys me. I once followed this woman with long flowing blonde hair for about 8 miles of a half marathon. All I could think about was how sweaty her neck must be.

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    2. The fact that the runner's hair was loose and flying all around in the inappropriate "strapless" TomTom commercial bugged me more than the the other flopping going on.

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    3. OMG. I am going to start tying mine back every time. I normally don't unless it's really hot. This never occurred to me (that it could be annoying to others). Definitely not baywatch hair, but still.

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    4. OMG I am laughing out loud. Too funny. At the visual of a woman using a portapotty urinal. Hahahaha.
      My pet peeve is non-smilers. Even when I'm on the verge of puking on a 2 mile uphill I still smile at other racers.

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  40. I hate it when I'm stuck behind a group of runners either on a trail or in a race who insist on running side by side, thus blocking the entire path. Usually they are talking, enjoying themselves (which I guess is fine), but when I run up behind you and have to dodge into oncoming traffic to avoid tripping over your heels--freaking MOVE to the SIDE! Furthermore, if during a race or on a trail you are consistently being passed on the right, for the love of all that's gooey, MOVE to the RIGHT!

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  41. I love, love, love this post. #3 is my big pet peeve. I wave at every runner I see and most of the time they stare back at me like I'm an alien. Haha. Great post!

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  42. I'm going to have to delurk to honestly and bluntly say my pet peeve is listening to the people who have some weird need to be acknowledged while they're out running or biking or whatever. Do you have to acknowledge every stranger you pass on the sidewalk on your way to work or in the same aisle as you in the grocery store? No. Do you acknowledge people and expect to be acknowledged when people pass you during a race? No! So why is being out on the trail different? We're all at the grocery store for the same reason - to buy groceries. We are not running for the same reason. You may be running for fun, to lose weight, to train for something, etc. I run for me time. I'm an extreme introvert and I wait on people all day long and by the end of the day I'm sick to death of looking at other people. I want some me time where I have some peace and quiet and I don't have to serve up a fake smile and pretend like I'm happy to see you. Because you know what? I'm not. It actually makes me angry sometimes to see other runners, walkers, or bikers hunker down and stare at my face because they think I should smile or acknowledge them. Try understanding that other people have different lives than you. And seriously, what is wrong with people who get mad that a total stranger doesn't want to acknowledge your existence for the few seconds you pass by each other? I think that's some emotional issues there.

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    1. I see where you are coming from, however, I think your point would have been better made without the anger and anonymity. It's fine to disagree, but to tell people they have emotional issues because they think differently than you do?

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    2. Amen. I was trying to find a way to word it as well. There are some worryingly unstable people commenting here. If you find that someone not waving back is that big of an issue you need to get the heck over yourself.

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    3. Thanks for this comment. I've never actually looked at it from the other person's perspective. I'm one of those overly friendly people who likes to wave, and/or smile at people. I typically do it everywhere I go (unless I'm in a bad mood). I've never understood why some people can't at least acknowledge that I've said good morning or hello or waved. I've always thought it was just common courtesy. Now that you've shared your viewpoint, I won't get upset when it happens again. I will continue to wave and say hello, but won't expect a response.

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    4. I echo the thanks for this response as I hadn't thought about it from the other view point. I guess with runners, many feel that we are part of a "clan" and have this special connection and thus when it's not acknowledged we kinda feel put off. I understand this point of view and as an introvert myself, can appreciate it. But even when I'm in the worst mood ever, I try to return a friendly, well-meaning gesture.

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    5. As a female that often runs alone, I look the other person in the eye & acknowledge them (wave or say hi) from a safety standpoint (I also do it to be nice). I read an article long ago regarding street safety, especially for women, & two ex-cons were interviewed (both males). Both said that, hands down, one of the best ways to prevent an attack is to look people in the eye when you pass them. Someone is far less likely to attack if you are assertive, look them in the eye, & acknowledge them. The person looking to attack wants someone that appears vulnerable or distracted; if you look them in the eye, you will remember them & remember details about them. So whether someone gives a damn that I wave or say hi when I pass them while out running, I don't do it for some emotional issue, I do it to be a friendly human being & so others know that I'm very aware of my surroundings.

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    6. Great response! Thank you for that

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    7. Dear Anonymous- It sounds like you need a new job. Life is not that serious.

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    8. Sorry, SUAR. I wasn't being angry. I probably could word things better but I write as I think and unless you hear my tone it can come across differently than I intend. So sorry about that. But honestly, I am tired of hearing people complain about non-wavers. It comes up regularly on many running forums. It gets annoying to hear people complain about you. Where I'm from it isn't just waving either. People will actually say hi and expect a hi back with a smile in addition to a nod or wave. It's a very populated and busy trail too. Expect to say hi every 2 seconds. People who need acknowledgement would love living here. I mentioned being angry when people stare at my face after I don't acknowledge them because it sucks to have to endure it. They are actively making themselves angry over it for no reason. I should have been clear that I was mainly talking about those people and people like another commenter's friend who gets "furious" at non-wavers when I said there were emotional issues there. I can understand people who may feel let down or slightly annoyed. I can see how it can be frustrating for someone who likes that sort of thing. But I'll say it's funny how I've heard things (not necessarily at this blog) about people who don't wave like "What's wrong with them? I don't get them! Why can't they just do what I want (wave back)? They think they're too good for everyone else. They're rude. etc etc etc" as though people like me are defective or have problems, but they don't like hearing it back. It doesn't feel good to hear those things, does it? Why should we have to be quiet about being ripped on?
      CL - I said no such thing that people who wave have emotional issues. You read things that are not there. I have no problem with people who try to be friendly - nothing wrong with that! I just don't want to be friendly back because I'm sick of being "on" for everyone all the time and I don't like feeling as though I should be required to perform and put complete stranger's comfort and feelings over my own every single minute of the day. My brief daily run is the only time I get to myself. I'm trying to decompress and recharge. When you have to be happy, friendly, nice, and smile all day long despite getting a lot of abuse back it wears on you. I'm very introverted as well so it's especially hard to go through all that. I just want a few moments where I don't have to be "on" for other people. There is a difference between not being friendly and being distracted/vulnerable/unassertive as well. So go ahead and wave, just don't get mad when you don't get a response and we're cool.
      Anonymous, that's pretty privileged. Life is serious for some of us especially in a time where getting a job isn't easy. But I actually kind of like my job. I just need some time to myself so that I'm not an asshole to my customers.

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  43. Grocery store crowding totally pisses me off every time, and the older I get, the less I am inclined to not be a smartass about it. People not waving bum me out. I figure it'll never be 100% or even 80%, but come on. I used to say hi to all the runners I passed in the park on my workday runs, but I've given up. Everyone looks so miserable. I want to yell, "You're RUNNING! You CAN run! Lookit you! Yay!" Also, people that pass and slow, pass and slow. Just like on the highway. Grrrr. Last one - bikers behind on a shared wide path not saying "On your left" before they pass.

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  44. I turned 50 this year and menopause is whacking me out so pretty much everything bugs me these days! But when I was more normal, grocery crowders and non wavers were high on the list.

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  45. I totally agree with the change clinker one. Honorable mention to the people with the excessive amount of keys jangling in their pockets. Are you a janitor? Do you REALLY need ALL OF THOSE KEYS?

    Sorry, I got a little into that one. Great post, as always.

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  46. I'm sure this has been mentioned but I HATE when I pass someone (who I have been slowly getting closer to for the past five minutes--so i KNOW they are running at a slower pace) and then I hear their footfalls becoming extremely quick and feel their breath on my neck and they try to show they can keep up. I can't help myself--I always RAMP it up when this happens!

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    1. Could NOT agree more!! Especially when it happens on a ran and not even a race! =)

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    2. At least a race has a competitive spirit, a random training run in the park DOES NOT!

      I've also noticed that it's usually men who feel the need to prove themselves haha. The sound of the breathing/grunting is really what puts me over the edge.

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  47. 1) Dog walkers on the trail that think their dog is so well behaved that they don't have to be on leash.

    2) Lane shifters at the Boston marathon. They go all the way from the left side of the road to the right side of the road to get to the water, but there's water on both sides in Boston.

    3) Runners that get mad at me for wearing a costume in a race. They tell me I should take it more seriously. Seriously? We're just running. Kids run for fun - why can't everyone?

    4) Walkers/slow runners in lanes 1 - 4 at the track. Lanes 5 - 8 are for slower folks. Except of course for me. I start in lane 8, then work my way down one lane each lap. That way I can "count" 2 miles without counting. Good for me in my memory loss era (current).

    5) Cars that whiz by when I'm standing in a crosswalk. I always motion down towards the crosswalk. It never works. It's the law, people.

    6) People on their cell phones driving past me during a road run. Especially in the dark. If I'm wearing a headlamp and/or a reflective vest, they almost always seem to veer towards me as they approach.I've jumped the guardrail multiple times as a part of my cellphone talker avoidance plan.

    7) Runners who complain too much about every little thing.

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    Replies
    1. We ARE a complaining bunch, aren't we?? Couldn't agree more about the crosswalks.

      Delete
  48. I'm with you on the Garmin, advice, and the spitting peeve!
    My two top are...
    1. People who run with their phones/music devices full blast on speaker! I don't need to hear your music...that's what headphones are for!
    2. People running/walking on the path/trail/street/race in a "steel curtain" formation. You need to share....move the heck over!

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  49. This article (and the user comments) is so petty. Seriously? Get a life. We are all runners, just trying to make it through our workouts. STOP BEING SO PETTY!!! ugh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Completely agree!

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    2. Sorry to offend. This was seriously just meant to be a fun and light hearted post, not overly critical and mean.

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    3. SUAR, simply roll your eyes and sally forth....don't change a thing!

      Delete
  50. So funny! My pet peeves are people who don't wave and groups of people who take up the whole trail (so you can barely squeeze past them).

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  51. You're too much! I agree with all of them (although I'm the only one around when I run on the treadmill, so I can talk if I wanna - neener, neener). Saturday, my older kids had a XC race and my youngest (5) walked into the porta potty, the lid was UP, and she promptly decided to hold it until we got home. LOL!

    Also, I found 5 quarters on the side of the road once...so I guess I've been a change lover once, too (but $1.25 is a buck twenty-five!)

    PS I think a couple of your Anonymous commenters must be guilty of AT LEAST one on your list. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Amen on the non-wavers! Easiest thing ever to acknowledge a fellow runner - why not? I just don't understand some people.
    My pet peeve is heavy breathers. Unless I'm racing you, please don't run right behind me huffing and puffing air on my neck. Move aside, or if it's just a fun club run - slow down!

    ReplyDelete
  53. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who feel they have to jog in place while waiting for the light to change. You can stop, people. Full stop. Jogging in place doesn't do a darn thing except make you look like you have to pee.

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  54. I think everyone pretty much covered everything. I just want to say that probably every porta potty I have been in has instructions to put the seat down after use to keep the smell down. I feel stupid doing this when there is a huge line but I also don't want the next person, even though I will never see them again, to think I can't follow directions. Also, I wave to everyone because I too once read that if something happens to you (disappear, get killed) people are more likely to remember seeing you if you acknowledged them.

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  55. I had to come back and tell you what happened this morning. I was finishing up a short 4 miler when I saw the high school girls track team headed towards me. There was probably 20 of them and they were running 4 or 5 wide. I was trying to figure out which way I should go when I heard the lead runner yell "Runner up!" As I neared, an entire path opened up for me. The lead runner and several others yelled "good job" as we passed and slapped fives. I was so impressed! They are a fast group, one of their girls has won state, but they have also learned to share the road, encourage others and be nice people! Great job, Simi Valley High Track Team!

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  56. Surprised no one has mentioned this yet, but the really smelly runners. The ones at the START of the race! I understand and forgive them at the end, but there's no excuse to smell that bad before the race even begins. *Note - I suspect these are usually the same people who brag about minimizing laundry by re-wearing the same running clothes over and over.....

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  57. #1 Pet Peeve is strollers in a race that bans them. If you are going to run with a stroller the VERY least you could do is accept that you will not run hard today and get in the very back of the pack.
    #2 Headphone runners outside, because you say on your left and they don't hear a thing. I generally don't bother anymore.
    #3 Guys running next to me on the treadmill who have very clearly never washed their gym clothes or ladies/guys who have Over-Fragranced.

    Hope the foot comes around soon Beth!

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  58. #1) stoppers. While trying for my first BQ in Eugene, I stuck hard to the back of the 3:30 group at 9 miles, probably 30 runners. Some 20-something in front of me saw her BFF at roadside and screamed for photos as she started to pose cutely WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK. I put a forearm in her back that nearly drove her into the asphalt (I merely held my arm out, and her deceleration caused the impact). I gritted my teeth and suggested she find a venue other than a moving pack for her pictures...

    #4) Garmin: guilty as charged. On my next BQ attempt in Portland, my watch had me 10 seconds under BQ, while my net time came out 20 seconds over. And I finished with the pace group! Talk about red-ass...fortunately (!?!), Boston last year required about 90 seconds faster due to demand, so I wouldn't have made it anyway...

    #7) spitters; I probably lose more fluid due to spit and snot rockets than from sweat. During a trail race, I tucked behind a fast-moving woman for the final miles when she let a rocket fly. I yelled 'AW MAN' while loudly wiping my face, and she was mortified until she saw me laughing after feigning impact. I told her she missed me by a country mile...

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  59. Oh my gosh! I completely agree with you on all of these! The spitting one is the worst though. It happened to me at a race too and I was beyond angry!

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  60. One of my pet peeves is when treadmill runners wear aftershave lotion or perfume. I can't take it.

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  61. I'm kinda OK with the treadmill talkers - but the folks who turn the treadmill speed up so high that they have to hold on...they bother me, mostly because I spend the duration of their run replaying in my head how I will administer First Aid when they fly off the back of the machine! Helpful Hint: If you have to hold on, it's going too fast!!!!

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  62. Yeah, the non-wavers get to me. Especially, the ones that see you coming, you know that they've seen you, then when you get close enough to wave and say "Hi" they act as though you are invisible.

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  63. Mine: Gatorade Spillers. Some idiot opened his gatorade at mile 2 of my first half, spilled it all down the back of my legs and onto my shoes. The tongue of my shoe then rubbed my ankle from mile 2 to mile 13.1. I have a permanent scar. I hate that guy.

    ReplyDelete
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