Walkers in the runners-only lanes. It's so common.
spartan_d
Posts: 727 Member
Last night, some gym mates and I were talking about people who walk in the runners-only lanes on indoor tracks. We all agreed that this was really annoying and that it can badly interfere with someone's workout.
I mention this because I know some people say, "What's the big deal? You can always go around the walkers anyway." IMO though, walkers are really selfish when they take that attitude. They already have their own lanes. Why should they take up the runners lanes and then declare, "These people will just have to go around me."
Also -- and I know that some will disagree with me on this -- it's a matter of respecting the gym rules. For everyone's benefit, the gym management has graciously allocated certain lanes for runners and certain ones for walkers. Why in the world would you deliberately ignore these rules? The occasional rare exception might be justified (when the lanes are ridiculously crowded, for example), but by and large, there's no benefit to deliberately ignoring the posted lane signs.
I'd go so far as to say that one should stick to the walking lanes even when the running lanes are empty -- again, as a matter of respecting the rules. Again, the occasional exception might be okay, but if you're going to take over a runners-only lane, you need a better reason that just "It's empty and I wanted it."
Yes, this is a peeve of mine. I see people ignoring the track rules all the time, and it bugs me. I've seen collisions happen because of people walking where they shouldn't. On occasion, I've had to come to a complete stop because of walkers stepping into the running lanes without looking -- or worse, because people were just standing around on the track. Please respect the track rules, folks.
I mention this because I know some people say, "What's the big deal? You can always go around the walkers anyway." IMO though, walkers are really selfish when they take that attitude. They already have their own lanes. Why should they take up the runners lanes and then declare, "These people will just have to go around me."
Also -- and I know that some will disagree with me on this -- it's a matter of respecting the gym rules. For everyone's benefit, the gym management has graciously allocated certain lanes for runners and certain ones for walkers. Why in the world would you deliberately ignore these rules? The occasional rare exception might be justified (when the lanes are ridiculously crowded, for example), but by and large, there's no benefit to deliberately ignoring the posted lane signs.
I'd go so far as to say that one should stick to the walking lanes even when the running lanes are empty -- again, as a matter of respecting the rules. Again, the occasional exception might be okay, but if you're going to take over a runners-only lane, you need a better reason that just "It's empty and I wanted it."
Yes, this is a peeve of mine. I see people ignoring the track rules all the time, and it bugs me. I've seen collisions happen because of people walking where they shouldn't. On occasion, I've had to come to a complete stop because of walkers stepping into the running lanes without looking -- or worse, because people were just standing around on the track. Please respect the track rules, folks.
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They're the same people that don't rack their weights or wipe down equipment.
Not that I'd expect to see this at a gym but there's an indoor track here in Ottawa that's used by a competitive T&F club for winter training. Walk in their lanes and they'll yell "track" shortly before pushing you over.... people learn very quickly.11 -
A lot of people don't understand the need to respect rules. They probably say, "Nobody's using the running lane right now, so why shouldn't I take it? I'm not harming anyone."
To which I say, "Doesn't matter. You have your own assigned lanes, so follow the rules. Don't ignore them just because you want to." Not to mention that this leaves the runners-only lanes free for people who do want to run once they arrive.
I've even heard well-intentioned runners say, "So it takes an extra second or so to go around them. What's the big deal?" There's some merit to that, but it's still the principle of the thing. Not to mention that when ignoring the rules becomes the norm, it leads to even bigger problems -- larger groups of people clogging up the runner lanes, for example.5 -
I agree with you op that's like kids playing in the swimming lane. You should carry a horn. No one likes getting honked at5
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Have you spoken to the gym staff about this? It's their responsibility to enforce the rules. If they don't and it's still causing a problem I'd be more forceful about it. Maybe they can put up larger signs or notify the regular "offenders" in a discreet way.4
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Have you spoken to the gym staff about this? It's their responsibility to enforce the rules. If they don't and it's still causing a problem I'd be more forceful about it. Maybe they can put up larger signs or notify the regular "offenders" in a discreet way.
I have, and at more than one gym. By and large, they don't care. In fact, they often keep silent even when they see this happening.
It's not hard to guess why. They usually aren't eager to enforce the rules. The rules only matter when an accident happens or when they have already decided to kick someone out.
As for being more forceful about it... I do that on occasion with mixed results.
Recently, I did tell one woman that she was in a runners lane. I told her twice, without anger, since she didn't seem to hear me the first time. She snapped my photo and tried to report me to the management. (Thankfully, the manager was sensible. A bit weak-willed and overly accommodating to her, but at least he understood that I was just being reasonable.)
On a related note... this same manager said that we shouldn't confront the offenders directly. To avoid conflict, we are supposed to stop our workouts, get off the track, look for a staff member, and ask that staff member to intervene. He says this is because "everyone has their own perspective" and asking another gym member to obey track rules could be perceived as harassment. Sigh.5 -
I don’t think walkers realize how much easier it is for a walker to turn abruptly than a runner. Particularly if you are doing speedwork or focusing on your form the last thing you need to extra stuff to think about. That’s why there are lanes in the first place!2
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YES, @rheddmobile ! It seems like a little thing, but when you're training or just working hard, these little things matter. Casual exercises usually don't understand that.0
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i'd run into them personally - oh sorry was doing sprints and didn't see you (that whole tunnel vision thing)
the same goes for swimming pools and lap swim - the one pool i swim at has lanes identified as S/M/F - i showed up to do a swim test one weekend and there was like 1 guy in the fast lane - i figured since i was doing a test, it would work...i lapped him 3 times in the space of 8 minutes...fast was nowhere in the definition of the speed he was going - and i nearly hit him several times because he was almost swimming middle of lane (pool prescribes circle swim)4 -
One woman at a nearby rec center keeps straddling two lanes -- one for walking, one for running.deannalfisher wrote: »i'd run into them personally - oh sorry was doing sprints and didn't see you (that whole tunnel vision thing)
the same goes for swimming pools and lap swim - the one pool i swim at has lanes identified as S/M/F - i showed up to do a swim test one weekend and there was like 1 guy in the fast lane - i figured since i was doing a test, it would work...i lapped him 3 times in the space of 8 minutes...fast was nowhere in the definition of the speed he was going - and i nearly hit him several times because he was almost swimming middle of lane (pool prescribes circle swim)
This might sound unkind, but I wonder if she has some sort of mental issue. It's one thing to not notice the track signs or to deliberately ignore them. Consistently walking right in between two lanes, though? That's just... strange.
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Uggghh... this sounds so frustratingly annoying. I would probably deliberately brush by them every time...not enough to knock them down but enough to be annoying to them. I suppose they would complain about that rather than get the hint though.0
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This is a constant at the track where I run. I don't mind so much for two reasons:
1. I am very slow as a runner anyway
2. I usually go on community days when the track access is free. People of all ages and walks of life come - some very fit and able, others with walkers, some with intellectual disabilities and companions. I love seeing everyone come get some activity in their days.
When I am feeling very serious about a workout or impatient, I go on different days when I have to pay for access and on those days, I do feel people should respect the walkers and runners lanes, though I understand some folks may not even have looked up to the hanging sign to see that such a differentiation exists.2 -
we had a bunch of walkers and like 4 school teams working on the track last night. so many walkers walking 2 abreast. so many people doing speedwork walking against the flow to get to their starting point. and not giving way.
i'm on board with pet peeve.
if they don't learn on the track then i bet these walkers are also the ones that cause traffic jams at races too0 -
Honestly, it annoys me even when I'm NOT using the track. Even if I'm just on the sidelines lifting. And even if they're not currently in anyone's way.
That's because it broadcasts an attitude of "There are some perfectly good lanes that I could use, but I don't care. To hell with the rules. I'm going to use this one instead, just because I can."2 -
Well, that's frustrating that the staff doesn't seem to care.
I am a walker but I'm very conscious about being considerate of others, particularly anyone going faster than me. I run into this issue on our Riverwalk trails. People, sometimes whole families, walking 4 -5 people wide and totally clueless to anyone coming up (quickly) behind them. Or they let their kids dart all over the path.
I try to just appreciate the fact that people are out and being active and not let it ruin MY walk and MY time but it's not always easy.3 -
Go_Deskercise wrote: »Reminds me of the debate I had with my sister about the left and right hand lanes when driving. She drives in the left "fast" lane and people have to pass her on the right side. She says if she's not going fast enough then people can just go around her *facepalm*
Certain people are always going to just do what they want regardless of others unfortunately
I hate it when people do that. I find it to be so rude. People think because they're behind the wheel they can throw all sense of common courtesy out the window. I had a coworker at my last job who did that as well, and she would claim "I'm going over the speed limit so I'm supposed to be in this lane." No dear, it's the passing lane. If someone wants to go faster than you, GTFO of the way. 0 -
michael1976_ca wrote: »I agree with you op that's like kids playing in the swimming lane. You should carry a horn. No one likes getting honked at
I like this idea
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A little bit of order solves so many problems before they start when a lot of people have to share spaces. Even just keeping to the right on trails marked so means people can do their thing while minding their own business. The amount of time I've played chicken with someone coming directly at me is silly.
I'd be the *kitten* in the runners lanes loudly excuse-me-ing and jogging on the spot behind walkers.3 -
@MelanieCN77 - oh I know but there's no changing my sisters mind....1
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There are bike trails with walking trails immediately next to them and people still walk in the bike lane too.3
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I run on abandoned roads on a former military base. (It's now public land...I'm not sneaking into anywhere I'm not allowed to be!) I am constantly surprised by how two walkers can take up an entire, literal road. People used to drive TANKS on these roads and yet some walkers cannot manage enough room for a runner to pass them. Share the trail...it's not that hard.4
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