Don't Hate the Runner

Now that I consider myself a "runner" I'm much more aware of those people who have a complete disdain for runners. I have recently run across several people who had no problem sharing their negatives opinions about running, either verbally or non-verbally. Here is just a sample:

People Who Have No Problem Telling You How Much They Hate Running
I love it when you tell someone that you run and they immediately respond with "Oh, I HATE running." I don't get this. Why would you respond that way to someone who has just told you how much they enjoy doing something? Imagine if you were talking to someone and you said "I just took up knitting and I'm really enjoying it." And then the person you were talking to responded with "Oh, I HATE knitting. You couldn't PAY me to knit. I don't understand why anyone would knit, it sounds like pure TORTURE. Ugh."

Hmmm. Yeah, I know - running is not at all like knitting. But running is still something that many people love to do. Running is hard. It takes time to build up your endurance to the point where it starts to become enjoyable. But you know what? Knitting is hard too. I've tried it before and it's not easy. When you first start it can be very frustrating and after a few minutes your fingers start to hurt, you're dropping stitches left and right and suddenly you wonder, "Why am I doing this?" If you stick with knitting long enough, eventually it becomes easier and you probably start to enjoy it. I never got to this point but I admire people who do knit.

I just don't understand why someone would just come right out and tell you they hate something that you've just told them you love to do. I don't get it. A better response would be "Good for you! Running isn't for me, but that's great that you are enjoying it." How hard is that?

People Who Want To Know Why You Are Running And Suggest That You Walk Instead
Just the other day I went out for a run. It was a glorious afternoon, mid 70's, breezy, perfect for running. I was well into my first mile, feeling great, enjoying the breeze on my face and the feeling of energy and well-being that I get when I run.

I approached a man in his 50's-60's who was taking out his trash. As I got closer I smiled and did my customary wave that I try to give everyone I pass. As ran past him I heard him say "You should be walking! Enjoy the weather - why are you running?"

REALLY? I didn't realize what he said until I'd passed him. I was so irritated. Why do people think they know what's best? I enjoy a nice walk as much as the next person, but I chose to run that day for my own reasons. Again, why would you say something like that? If someone passed my house and they were walking leisurely, I certainly wouldn't say "Why are you walking? Step it up, run a little, enjoy the weather."

Walkers Who Obviously Look Down On Runners
I smile at everyone I pass. I don't care if you're walking, running, riding a bike, crawling on the ground, hopping, skipping, jumping. So I don't get it when people give me dirty looks or pretend like they don't see me so I have to get out of their way in order to pass them.

Usually these people are walkers. Sometimes they are solo walkers, sometimes they are group walkers. Not all walkers do this - but enough of them have done it for me to take notice.

Groups of lady walkers are the biggest culprits. These are usually ladies of varying age groups - but typically forty or older - walking with a groups of friends more for socializing than exercising. I'm ok with this. I think taking a walk with a friend or group of friends on a nice day is a great idea. I'm not ok with it when these ladies feel the need to take up the entire sidewalk and refuse to move to the right when they see you coming. I've had a few encounters with ladies who obviously see me coming but are so engrossed in their conversation that at the last moment I have to veer onto the grass in order to get around them. These women usually don't make any eye contact with me, as if I will disappear if they don't acknowledge me. Once I passed a group like this and said "EXCUSE ME!" very loudly as I passed. I don't think they heard me.

Come to think of it, that probably has more to do with them just being rude than the fact that I'm running. But still . . .

Now don't get me wrong. About 90% of the people I encounter on my runs are very friendly. I'll usually get a smile and wave in return and most people follow the standard rules of staying to the right when they see someone approaching them on the sidewalk. It's the other 10% that irk me. I don't let them get me down though. The good feeling I get from running far outweighs any negativity from I may come across.