What Not to Say to Runners

Stoshew71

I came accross this on about.com and thought I share this with all the runners on MFP. And maybe for non-runners who have runners on their FL.

http://running.about.com/od/RunningHumorStories/a/What-Not-To-Say-To-Runners.htm


Once you've been running long enough, you'll inevitably encounter some naysayers who don't like, can't appreciate, or just don't understand your running habit (or obsession). Some of them will make comments that are ignorant, silly, just plain clueless, mean, and – yes -- sometimes very entertaining. To help non-runners avoid offending their running friends, here's a list of comments that runners just don't want to hear:

•"Why are you so slow?"

•"Why do you run? It's SO boring!"

•"You run so much -- why haven't you lost weight?"

•"Why didn't you beat your time from last year?"

•"You're running another marathon? Why would you do that?"

•"So when do you think you'll qualify for Boston?

•"I get tired driving that far!"

•"So how far is this marathon?"

•"Running will ruin your knees!"

•"Don't you know people die running marathons?"

•"Why would you pay that much just to run a race?"

•"You're almost there!" (when the finish line is nowhere in sight)

•"So what if you're injured? I'd be happy if a doctor told me I couldn't run a race!"

•"Oh, so everyone gets a medal at the end?"

•"I thought runners were supposed to be skinny!"

•"So did you win?"

•"I tried running once –- I hated it!"

•"I would run but I don't like to sweat that much."

•"I didn't think old people could run that far!"

•"I did a marathon once -- it was one of the 5K ones."

•(to a pregnant runner) "Are you trying to have the baby while you're running or something?"

•"Who cares if you have a race tomorrow? Just have a beer!"

knot_enough

lol i've heard a lot of these too. i hate it when people talk to me like what i'm doing is silly.

ThickMcRunFast

"you know you're not going to win, right?"

Wait, you mean I'm not going to win the Chicago Marathon? I am shocked. SHOCKED, I say.

_Josee_

Worst one for me is: "Oh, I ran a marathon once when I was in college" ... Then I learn that the marathon was 5k...

Ugh!

TheBrolympus

"You're almost there!" (when the finish line is nowhere in sight)

^^^ THIS!

KateRunsColorado

Yes - it still surprises me how many people don't know how long a marathon is and/or think it can be multiple distances (and very SHORT distances)..it is and forever will be TWENTY SIX POINT TWO MILES!

Also, the whole "you're going to ruin your knees" kills me...seriously...I could also ruin them doing other things too...like being overweight. Trust me there are worse things for my health than running!

Those are my biggest pet peeves...

ElliottTN

"Oh, so everyone gets a medal at the end?"

hahaha *kitten* you, give me my medal. I need something to grip between my teeth while I ice my *kitten* for the next 3 days.

gmthisfeller

Heck, I say these to myself....especially that first one, "Why are you so slow?"

RunnerLisa1

I've given up trying to explain to people that a marathon is 26.2 miles, when I run any distance & people ask how my marathon went I just say "Awesome!" lol The worst are non-runners who are drunk that feel the need to butt into your conversation about running & go off on all the things you've listed. I'm not a violent person but nothing makes me wanna go fist to cuffs more than at that moment!

cms721

I will flip you off every time if you yell out your car window "RUN FORREST RUN!" at me while I am running.

RunConquerCelebrate

"Why would you pay that much just to run a race?"

I have gotten this one from my husband LOL!!!

KeithAngilly

"I only run when someone is chasing me" :noway:

likitisplit

My comeback to just about all of them is "I used to say that. Never believed that I'd ever be able to run. Well, a lot can change in a year."

tapirfrog

I will flip you off every time if you yell out your car window "RUN FORREST RUN!" at me while I am running.

This is when I really wish I had the ability to kill things with my mind.

fleetzz

I haven't been running long enough to get these remarks. Or maybe I just don't hear them because of my earphones...

Of course I tend to be oblivious to things I don't want to hear :ohwell:

krys185

"run faster" or anything that implies that... what do you think I am trying to do?!

sunshinenjjr

I have heard several of these comments over the years. The best one that I heard was {not on this list} your uterus is going to fall out if you keep on running. LOL.

Go_Mizzou99

•"I did a marathon once -- it was one of the 5K ones."

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

MadDogManor

I will flip you off every time if you yell out your car window "RUN FORREST RUN!" at me while I am running.

Haha - I say this to myself when I see my shadow!

arabellaflagg

I have heard several of these comments over the years. The best one that I heard was {not on this list} your uterus is going to fall out if you keep on running. LOL.

Oh gosh! I remember reading at the time of the summer Olympics that women in some countries are still prohibited from sports for this very reason. I was shocked that people could have so little knowledge of the female body. Guess those myths are more prevalent than I thought.

I do mostly sprint work, the occasional 5k and a former co-worker insisted that you have to run marathons to really sweat and lose weight so she suggested I run in a several layers to sweat out more fat. I got a chuckle.

loriemn

I have heard several of these comments over the years. The best one that I heard was {not on this list} your uterus is going to fall out if you keep on running. LOL.

OMG! I wish! would save me a lot of pain and annoyance

ebayaddict0127

I don't like running... but I admire those who do and can. To all of y'all... YOU GO!

DangerJim71

And stop calling my triathlons a "marathon". It's not the same thing!!!

magurski

Every race is a marathon to those who don't know the difference. I'm sure friends and family think I'm running one of those 5k marathons at the beginning of March... and a 10k marathon in November...

dbanks80

Running is an addiction for me many people dont understand why I love it so much. Its an adrenaline/ relaxing addiction. You either love it or hate it there's no in between

magurski

I have heard several of these comments over the years. The best one that I heard was {not on this list} your uterus is going to fall out if you keep on running. LOL.

Oh gosh! I remember reading at the time of the summer Olympics that women in some countries are still prohibited from sports for this very reason. I was shocked that people could have so little knowledge of the female body. Guess those myths are more prevalent than I thought.

I do mostly sprint work, the occasional 5k and a former co-worker insisted that you have to run marathons to really sweat and lose weight so she suggested I run in a several layers to sweat out more fat. I got a chuckle.

Believe it or not, the whole "your uterus will fall out" was used as justification to keep women out of (at least) the Boston Marathon for quite some time... http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/fitness-coach/The-Myth-of-the-Falling-Uterus.html

dshalbert

"I only run when someone is chasing me" :noway:

Yup. I've gotten that one. And yes my mom thinks any race is a marathon. But she's so proud when she tells her friends I'm running another marathon (5k) :laugh:

1pandabear

I have heard several of these comments over the years. The best one that I heard was {not on this list} your uterus is going to fall out if you keep on running. LOL.

OMG! I wish! would save me a lot of pain and annoyance

hahahahaha:laugh:

NancieFeatherston

K... not a runner! Amazed people would say any of those things, laughed about the Run Forrest Run comment...because I actually think that every time I see a runner! I never have understood running if you could walk, pretty new to walking at this point, but I do get the pride a runner can have in their accomplishments in getting quicker at it. I get a sense of pride walking quicker than I did. Lots of respect to runners from me... oh I usually ask 'what is your favorite running shoe?' Runners know shoes.

trijoe

Talking with my mom with alzheimers: "Mom, I'm racing a triathlon this weekend." "Oh, now I'm worried. Can your legs handle it?" "Yes mom, it's a triathlon. I'll be swimming and biking, too." "Wait, do they allow you to bike? Won't they disqualify you? I thought you were only allowed to run."

Another Mom conversation: "I'm running a marathon next month, Mom. I'm excited, but I'm also worried. It'll be tough" "Don't be worried. You can always skip it." "Well no Mom, not really. If I skip it then I lose all that money I spent signing up for it and training for it." Her response: "Well, that doesn't make much sense. t don't see why they can't let you run it another day."

Another Mom comment: "So how many days do you have to run your marathon?"

*****************

My favorite I read on this very website: Human beings were not designed to run long distances. It's why so many runners have so many injuries.

***************
Also, I get irritated with all these "marathon"s. Star trek marathon. Toyota car weekend marathon. Cookie sale marathon. Everything's a freaking "marathon". Why not let marathons be marathons, and find another way to say long drawn out something or other? *steps down off high horse*

zorbaru

a marathon isnt 26.2 miles



























its 42.2 km