What Not to Say to Runners

13

Replies

  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    It's not so much a thing that is said, but the most annoying thing for me is during races the charity people that stand on corners and have two branded hollow metal tubes that they bang together. I know they're trying to be encouraging and motivational, but really I just want to take that tube and use it as a bludgeoning device.

    In face, just the level of patronising going on from spectators. Perhaps I'm just an overly negative person, but someone going "yeah, you can do it!" at me really doesn't help.
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    "Have some more [random dessert] - you run and can afford it!"

    So. Not. True.

    This one drives me so nuts... or they say I deserve it after running that far... No. No I don't.
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    It's not so much a thing that is said, but the most annoying thing for me is during races the charity people that stand on corners and have two branded hollow metal tubes that they bang together. I know they're trying to be encouraging and motivational, but really I just want to take that tube and use it as a bludgeoning device.

    In face, just the level of patronising going on from spectators. Perhaps I'm just an overly negative person, but someone going "yeah, you can do it!" at me really doesn't help.

    Along the same lines "Lookin' good" when clearly I'm barely hanging on is so annoying... No I'm not. I look like **** b/c I'm dragging *kitten* here! Say something like "keep pushing" or "way to push on" instead of "looking good".
  • KeithAngilly
    KeithAngilly Posts: 575 Member
    "How can you like running?"

    "What are you running from?"

    facepalm

    One morning I was out before the sun came up and this little Jerry Garcia looking guy was delivering papers and when he saw me, he kind of shuffled his feet and said "What are you running from?" I just laughed because it was actually kind of funny!
  • MissySpring
    MissySpring Posts: 442 Member
    I've got this guy i work with who doesn't run but likes to look up my race times. When he saw my current HM pr (2:06) he said, "I could walk 13 miles in less time than that."

    Yeah, SURE you could...what a dork!
  • Linnaea27
    Linnaea27 Posts: 639 Member
    What about when people say in discussions of "proper exercise," "just look at runners-- they have no muscle definition!" or other such crap. Agh!!! Excuse me, runners do have muscle definition!!

    I'm just starting to be a runner, but I love it. And it drives me crazy when people say that. ^
  • Zekela
    Zekela Posts: 634 Member
    Hate it when people say... "you run so you can eat that..." or "you run and you eat that??"
  • KateRunsColorado
    KateRunsColorado Posts: 407 Member
    I've got this guy i work with who doesn't run but likes to look up my race times. When he saw my current HM pr (2:06) he said, "I could walk 13 miles in less time than that."

    That's when I would say "You can walk a mile in 10 minutes? Let's see it"

    As annoying as it is, I think most people just don't realize what pace a long run is...after I finished my marathon, an older lady asked me "What was your time?" I said "A little less than 4 and a half hours" (I ran it in 4:26, which is a 10:11 pace), and she said "Oh...well at least you finished". I was SO mad...but I'm sure she just didn't realize that running 26.2 miles really adds up!
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    I've got this guy i work with who doesn't run but likes to look up my race times. When he saw my current HM pr (2:06) he said, "I could walk 13 miles in less time than that."

    That's when I would say "You can walk a mile in 10 minutes? Let's see it"

    As annoying as it is, I think most people just don't realize what pace a long run is...after I finished my marathon, an older lady asked me "What was your time?" I said "A little less than 4 and a half hours" (I ran it in 4:26, which is a 10:11 pace), and she said "Oh...well at least you finished". I was SO mad...but I'm sure she just didn't realize that running 26.2 miles really adds up!

    it's almost like they expect us to do it at driving paces or something - like a marathon should only take us 26 minutes or something. Clearly (most) non-runners don't understand pacing and that our legs don't work as fast as a car... or bike or other mode of transportation.
  • HappyRunner34
    HappyRunner34 Posts: 394 Member
    My fav is..."I tried running once and hated it"

    Really?...don't you remember when you used to run as a kid - around the yard, the park...and just had sheer joy on your face? Its our adult brain that has turned running into 'work".
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    My friend at work runs 6-8 maratons per year and her grandmother recently asked her if she was "still doing that jogging thing"
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Along the same lines "Lookin' good" when clearly I'm barely hanging on is so annoying... No I'm not. I look like **** b/c I'm dragging *kitten* here! Say something like "keep pushing" or "way to push on" instead of "looking good".

    I was at a marathon once where this woman spectator had a sign that said "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"

    I realize it's some kind of Navy motto but it's got to be the least inspirational sign for a runner ever. The worst part was that she showed up with the same sign at several different points along the course.
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    My friend at work runs 6-8 maratons per year and her grandmother recently asked her if she was "still doing that jogging thing"

    BOOM_JOGGING_Gray_FRONT.png
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    I hear a bunch of these.

    1 guy said "You run? You're too fat to run"
    I wanted to slug him

    I also hear
    "Running is boring"
    "You couldn't pay me to run"
    "You're cute but i'm not running with you" (is that like a pre req to talk to a runner or something???)
    "You don't need to run to lose weight just eat better" (you assume I'm running to lose weight??)
    "I'd never spend that much on running shoes" (this from a women who owns at least 50 pairs of shoes *smh*)
  • Krissy563
    Krissy563 Posts: 47 Member
    It's not so much a thing that is said, but the most annoying thing for me is during races the charity people that stand on corners and have two branded hollow metal tubes that they bang together. I know they're trying to be encouraging and motivational, but really I just want to take that tube and use it as a bludgeoning device.

    In face, just the level of patronising going on from spectators. Perhaps I'm just an overly negative person, but someone going "yeah, you can do it!" at me really doesn't help.

    Along the same lines "Lookin' good" when clearly I'm barely hanging on is so annoying... No I'm not. I look like **** b/c I'm dragging *kitten* here! Say something like "keep pushing" or "way to push on" instead of "looking good".


    Whoa... guys... you are complaining about strangers who took time out of their day to give you words of encouragement? To me this is one of the best things about races. I appreciate that support more than I can articulate in words.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member

    "What are you running from?"

    haha! I swear next time someone says this to me i'm gonna look at them all crazy eyed and yell "the zombies!! The zombies are coming!! OMG!! RUNNNNNNN!!"

    LMAOOOOOOOOOO
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I've got this guy i work with who doesn't run but likes to look up my race times. When he saw my current HM pr (2:06) he said, "I could walk 13 miles in less time than that."

    That's when I would say "You can walk a mile in 10 minutes? Let's see it"

    As annoying as it is, I think most people just don't realize what pace a long run is...after I finished my marathon, an older lady asked me "What was your time?" I said "A little less than 4 and a half hours" (I ran it in 4:26, which is a 10:11 pace), and she said "Oh...well at least you finished". I was SO mad...but I'm sure she just didn't realize that running 26.2 miles really adds up!

    I had *no idea* how LONG a mile is until I started running. NO IDEA.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    I've got this guy i work with who doesn't run but likes to look up my race times. When he saw my current HM pr (2:06) he said, "I could walk 13 miles in less time than that."

    If you don't want to kick him in the balls, I'd be willing to do it for you.
  • lyzmorrison
    lyzmorrison Posts: 172 Member
    I'm a new runner (2 5Ks and a 10K this weekend) and I have said ALL of these things! When you don't run, you just don't get it. I don't sail and don't have clue what starboard is, why should non runners know how long a marathon is?

    A 5K may not be a marathon, but tell that to my brain when I'm out running one. It may only be 3 miles, but it feels like forever. :noway:
  • runner359
    runner359 Posts: 90 Member
    Jog. Jogging.
  • HappyRunner34
    HappyRunner34 Posts: 394 Member
    Hate it when people say... "you run so you can eat that..." or "you run and you eat that??"

    No you don't...we all know you just run so you can eat Smashburger!!!
  • Zomoniac
    Zomoniac Posts: 1,169 Member
    It's not so much a thing that is said, but the most annoying thing for me is during races the charity people that stand on corners and have two branded hollow metal tubes that they bang together. I know they're trying to be encouraging and motivational, but really I just want to take that tube and use it as a bludgeoning device.

    In face, just the level of patronising going on from spectators. Perhaps I'm just an overly negative person, but someone going "yeah, you can do it!" at me really doesn't help.

    Along the same lines "Lookin' good" when clearly I'm barely hanging on is so annoying... No I'm not. I look like **** b/c I'm dragging *kitten* here! Say something like "keep pushing" or "way to push on" instead of "looking good".


    Whoa... guys... you are complaining about strangers who took time out of their day to give you words of encouragement? To me this is one of the best things about races. I appreciate that support more than I can articulate in words.

    Like I said, I appreciate the sentiment, but I actually find it hinders my performance. I like the crowd at the end, that gives me a nice burst, it's the ones on every corner banging things together. I find it incredibly distracting.
  • cediyam
    cediyam Posts: 181 Member
    When I first started running after recovering from back injury..."11 min miles? that's walking pace, isn't it?".
  • cad39too
    cad39too Posts: 874 Member
    It's not so much a thing that is said, but the most annoying thing for me is during races the charity people that stand on corners and have two branded hollow metal tubes that they bang together. I know they're trying to be encouraging and motivational, but really I just want to take that tube and use it as a bludgeoning device.

    In face, just the level of patronising going on from spectators. Perhaps I'm just an overly negative person, but someone going "yeah, you can do it!" at me really doesn't help.

    Along the same lines "Lookin' good" when clearly I'm barely hanging on is so annoying... No I'm not. I look like **** b/c I'm dragging *kitten* here! Say something like "keep pushing" or "way to push on" instead of "looking good".

    People who see you running and start pumping their arms as well, like they are encouraging you...I want to say 'yeah, if you did that with your legs as well you'd be running too!!!' Instead, I just smile back and keep it moving.
  • JenToms80
    JenToms80 Posts: 373 Member
    Love this thread!
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    'Don't you have a car'
  • GillianMcK
    GillianMcK Posts: 401 Member
    •"Why would you pay that much just to run a race?"

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

    Having spent over £300 since January on runs, I actually ask myself the 1st one on a regular basisi (couple that with the amount I then spend on road running & trail shoes, plus clothing and there's a reason I have 2 jobs)!!!!

    My trainer does this because he knows it bugs me (I'm not very fast and invariably a couple of people from our group come back and get me), it's right up there with the training and pushing in the last 10secs of 'this is where it counts'!!!

    Would have to say as a kid in school I was never brilliant at running which meant I was picked last for teams and didn't enjoy PE very much, now that I do it for myself I'm really enjoying it (and the dog's definitley getting fitter), I like doing the same runs each year so I can see my improvement but at the same time if there's longer distance I like to push at that as well.
    I no longer care about how long it takes me, a 6min mile is the same distance as a 13min mile and I'm lapping everyone on the couch.
    1st marathon in just over 11 weeks and there are doubts starting to set in but at least I've tried, I like the saying
    Try,
    Fail,
    Try again,
    Fail better!!
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    Another personal favourite:

    "you know you're going to screw your knees up and you'll be crippled when you're older don't you"

    Because doing NOTHING AT ALL is setting YOU up for later life SO much better.....
  • lightmouse
    lightmouse Posts: 175 Member
    'Don't you have a car'

    Oh and this. I do love this. Especially when cycling into work!