Talking people into running: pet-peeves / common responses / general b*tchfest

AngryLips

Ever tried to talk someone into running? Would be interested to hear the experience from other runners.

What I've got in the past; "I use to run but I picked up an injury and stopped"

What I'm getting with someone at the moment; all words and commitment backed up by reluctance or an inadequate approach to training.

I don't know where these responses end and my frustration begins.

Emer911

Well I think the big flaw with this thread is the thought that you can talk someone into running? :rolleyes:

...but the most common excuses I've heard would be
"well I would, but I running is bad for my knees/hips/ankles " (though they've never had any previous problem with said joints)

or even better

"Well I'd love to, but I just don't have the time" (generally said by people spending 2.5 hours a day religiously watching soaps!)

calistro

Or maybe because they read into the elitist crap that sometimes goes on here...???????

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056166431

mloc123

calistro wrote: »

Or maybe because they read into the elitist crap that sometimes goes on here...???????

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056166431

Wouldn't we need some elites on here to have elitism?

Fluorescence

I tried talking my friend into trying C25k once. She usually goes to the gym every other day for 30 minutes or so and walks on the treadmill. I suggested she try this since it's 30 mins, 3 times a week, and she just told me she didn't have the time.

calistro

mloc123 wrote: »

Wouldn't we need some elites on here to have elitism?

Oh no! Not more elitist hijacking!:):D

TheRoadRunner

mloc123 wrote: »

Wouldn't we need some elites on here to have elitism?

Brilliant and true in the most part, we do have a couple of international runners though but they are not elitist at all

mloc123

On topic... Just because you think something is good/fun don't expect your friends to. I think one of the issues with ppl starting to run and getting injured is the obsession with marathons. It seems everyone wants to start runnig in January and run DCM in October.

huskerdu

There must be a thread somewhere on boards.ie which starts

"Don't you hate it when people who run, try to convince you to take it up and think just because they like it, that everyone else should. "

I have never tried to convince someone to take up my hobby/interest because
I cant stand it when they try it on me.

Also, doesn't work.

RayCun

I try to get people to sign up for 5k runs, if they're already fit enough to do them. But you can't persuade anyone into exercise they don't really want to do, the best you can do is be a good example.

AngryLips

Well I got into it by being talked into it as did almost everyone else I run with

Another one of my favorites: "well you're built for running but I'm not, it just doesn't suit me"

HardyEustace

After a few years, I've stopped this. People make up their own minds and you can't force people to do something.

My personal see-red moment is when people say stuff like

I'm gonig to take up running, you run, I want you to motivate me. You need to hassle me and motivate me if I don't train... eh, what? Fe*k off and motivate yourself.

DULLAHAN2

A guy in work and told me that running a half marathon was too far and a waste of time. He run's ten miles once or twice a week in the summer!! I dont understand that logic.

sconhome

DULLAHAN2 wrote: »

A guy in work and told me that running a half marathon was too far and a waste of time. He run's ten miles once or twice a week in the summer!! I dont understand that logic.

Maybe he was including the drive to and from the event too?

Mr Slow

mloc123 wrote: »

On topic... Just because you think something is good/fun don't expect your friends to. I think one of the issues with ppl starting to run and getting injured is the obsession with marathons. It seems everyone wants to start runnig in January and run DCM in October.

I totally disagree with this comment, I started in April:P

rainbow kirby

I don't think I've really talked anyone into it - I do tend to encourage anyone who *has* started though! I've even posted the infamous Kicking Bishop Brennan Up The Arse pic in tLL to try and motivate someone :pac::D

Oryx

I dont think you can motivate people into running. Ive had friends take up running because they see what I get from it, but none stuck with it long term. You need to love it yourself to keep at it, no amount of encouragement from someone else will do that*.

*Unless they're goodlooking and you're chasing after them.

Mr Slow

Oryx wrote: »

I dont think you can motivate people into running. Ive had friends take up running because they see what I get from it, but none stuck with it long term. You need to love it yourself to keep at it, no amount of encouragement from someone else will do that*.

*Unless they're goodlooking and you're chasing after them.

Or they're hideous and you're running away

Oryx

As a list of excuses not to train Ive heard:

My back is bad
My doctor told me not to
I dont have time
Its too dark/busy/quiet where I live
I wouldnt be able
I tried it once and hurt myself
Im saving up for the right shoes
Ill do it after Christmas/my birthday

Mr Slow

Oryx wrote: »

As a list of excuses not to train Ive heard:

My back is bad
My doctor told me not to
I dont have time
Its too dark/busy/quiet where I live
I wouldnt be able
I tried it once and hurt myself
Im saving up for the right shoes
Ill do it after Christmas/my birthday

My bil 'get's a cold' which stops him running for about 6 weeks, then he'll try again and the 'lactic acid' puts him out for another while. Nobody is forcing him out there but every now and again there's an announcement.

shotgunmcos

Oryx wrote: »

As a list of excuses not to train Ive heard:

My back is bad
My doctor told me not to
I dont have time
Its too dark/busy/quiet where I live
I wouldnt be able
I tried it once and hurt myself
Im saving up for the right shoes
Ill do it after Christmas/my birthday

or... "ew, exercise makes you get get all sweaty..."

I'm sure these people have rocking sex lives to boot :rolleyes:

Mr Slow

shotgunmcos wrote: »

or... "ew, exercise makes you get get all sweaty..."

I'm sure these people have rocking sex lives to boot :rolleyes:

The 'don't touch my hair' brigade!

menoscemo

The worst excuse I have heard was:
'I want to run but I don't know how to'.

huskerdu

I run at lunchtime at work sometimes.

I was snottily told by a woman that she wouldn;t be seen dead at work in
the afternoon with her hair ruined looking all pink.

Not sure if she didn't think that was telling me that I looked bad in the afternoons, or she just didn't care.

HardyEustace

One observation is that some people obviously have a feel of vague guilt about not exercising that they wish to assuage.

If it does come up in conversation, there's a small but significant amount of people who will go to great lengths to explain why they're not running or doing exercise. At the risk of sounding heartless, if it's not someone who is asking questions and genuinely wants to gain some advice(God knows, I received and still receive a huge amount of help from some really lovely people), I'm not really interested in listening to someone half whinge and reassure them that <insert appropriate comment here> is a valid reason for not exercising. They've never met me before, my opinion doesn't really matter to them and they just want someone to massage their ego a little and tell them they're grand.

chez-moi

What about when you do talk someone into running and after about a months training they do a 10km faster than you in about 42-43 minutes. Then they turn round and say I enjoyed that!!! Ahhh it's taken me 3 years to get to this point and you do it in a month. Oh the joys of running.

BTW I'm not bitter

AngryLips

obviously, they're the ones that are meant to come up with the lame excuses but don't.

gerard65

If someone could'nt be bothered their hole going out in the rain and cold, well its not up to someone else to motivate (nag) them. I like racing, but I'm arsed if I'm wasting my time running around the roads in the middle of winter. Training - bhah.

robinph

Oryx wrote: »

...
My doctor told me not to
...

Next time ask for the name of their doctor.