8/9/11
7 miles speedwork
*1000m, 2000m, 1000m, 1000m – all done at 10K pace (7:30-7:40) with less than 400m rest interval. I loved doing intervals at 10K pace. What a treat compared to 5K pace! My breathing felt smooth and controlled.
When you go out for a run, do you generally keep a respectable distance between you and the runner in front of you? I always do and treat it like I would driving – I don’t generally drive up someone’s ass so why would I run up someone’s ass? I thought this was plain and simple running etiquette but I’m not so sure after this weekend. (Note: I’m not talking races, just training runs).
Situation 1 (Friday’s long run)
I was on my first mile and I could hear feet slapping and breath sounds coming closer. I was expecting the sounds to pass me but they just hung around…for awhile. I immediately start to get annoyed for 2 reasons: (1) if I can hear you breathing, you are way too close and either need to pass me or back off; (2) I start to get a little nervous when it’s a male and I’m running by myself – you should never run that close to a female running alone! I finally decided to slow down and let him pass. Thankfully he diverged onto another part of the trail.
Situation 2 (Sunday’s ugly tempo run)
There was a guy ahead of me for a few miles (I was keeping my distance behind him). He started to slow down and I decided to pass him. As I pass him he speeds up (errrrr!), as I slow down he slows down. I dig deep (remember the run was ugly) and pick up the pace to try to get rid of him. Not surprisingly, he keeps up with me. THEN he tells me that he is not being creepy, it’s just that I’m keeping a good pace for him!! I shoot him a weak smile and try to ignore him. I “paced him” for another mile until he took off in another direction. He was being creepy in my book.
So what gives? Did both these guys break running etiquette? I think so.
Do you keep a respectable distance behind other runners?
They totally did. Running up someone’s ass is totally uncool, especially a guy on a girl! I mean if it happens for a minute or so before you pass, fine, but extended time periods? No way. At my duathlon this guy told my friend and I we were pacing him, so he stayed right behind us for the last mile. Then, my dad took a great finish line photo of us holding hands in the air – oh guess what – the guy is totally blocked our shot! So we pace him, then he races in front of us at the very end and ruins our picture. Jerk.
Not cool and definitely violating photo-finish etiquette!
Haha, I have no opinion about this because I NEVER see anyone else out running. EVER. I did have a cyclist run me off the road on Saturday though. I don’t understand why they want to be treated like cars, but act like assholes. I almost shouted “I’m going to run home and get in my car and run YOU off the road!” but I restrained myself. 🙂
Ugh, bikers (cyclists)…they do act like assholes.
Yikes! Yes – that is a little weird. Don’t get me wrong…trying to keep up with another runner can be great motivation, especially when you’re having a hard time keeping a certain pace. But breathing down their neck like that (unless you’re racing!) is not okay! When I come up behind someone, if I can’t pass them right away, I keep a respectable distance until I a) get tired and back off or b) have enough energy to surge by. It’s not cool to creep people out when you’re running.
Ew creepers… and both men… hmmmmm 🙂 I hate stuff like that.
Both were definitely breaking etiquette.
I HATE hearing breathing too. Maybe it’s a little unreasonable of me, but it totally annoys me and I can’t block it out. At my last half marathon I was annoyed by someone loud breathing/wheezing near me (I will give them some credit, it was like mile 11, but still…) The fast breathing makes me screw up my own breathing and I just need to get away from it!
Guy #2: unless you heard his garmin beep indicating it was time to slow down or speed up, he was a creeper. He clearly knew he was being a creeper if he said something to you. I get the idea of using you as motivation to run faster…but do it from a distance. I wouldn’t think so much of it if he stayed a good couple hundred feet behind you, and tried to match your pace from a safe distance.
I like to give distance. Last time as I was approaching someone (an old dude) from behind with the intent to pass, before I got close enough to say “on your left” he farted audibly like 6 times…(like each time his foot hit the ground). Then, I felt like I couldn’t say “on your left” when planned because he would have known I heard him toot. So I dropped back a bit before re-attempting. hahaha.
Hysterical!!!! Some people have no shame!
omg, this would have annoyed me so much as well! I definitely keep a respectable distance from other runners and totally think those dudes broke etiquette rules. And were creepsters. The second one probably just didn’t want to get passed by a girl. I’ve experienced a few of those and it definitely motivates me to speed up and leave them in my dust. haha.
Hmmm you bring up good points. I would be totally freaked by the second guy. However there are times that i see others running alone too and i just want to be like lets run together, i am bored keep me entertained lol
Yes they definitely did and yes I do. I know that a lot of people (myself included) like to run for alone time, to clear their minds, etc and that requires extra space. I like your way of describing it – treat it like driving!
i am always so inspired by your speed work!!! you are awesome! ummm totally agree about the running especially being a woman and also if I am running alone…I generally don’t wish for strangers to be right up on top of me…definitely wish they would just move on so I can get back to MY run. eeeek. definitely some creepy experiences!
I don’t like running next to people I don’t know for some reason either! If I fall in sync with someone, if one of us doesn’t speed up or slow down soon I either just stop and wait for them to go for a little bit or speed up for a bit until hopefully we won’t fall in sync again.
I mean, no offense to other people, but I don’t want to hear you breathing/smell your sweat/hear your feet! Unless I know you and we’re running together — then its ok 🙂
or if its a particularly hot guy — then he can run next to me all he wants 🙂
Ha!!
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