What annoys you about other runners and running in general?

gramar · 03-10-2016 10:35am #1

There's a few things that annoy me about running and other runners but to get the ball rolling and choose just one I would say the breathing sounds some make. It's a sure fire way to get me to go faster so I can get out of earshot.

A few weeks ago I was closing in on a fella ahead whose high pitched panting sounded like Dale Winton about to blow his beans. Even though I was struggling I pushed on to get as far away as I could but he decided to track me so it was a kilometre before I got away from him.

The other day it was a fella who sounded like one of those overbred bulldogs with the squashed faces and again though suffering as I was I upped the pace so as not to have to hear him.

Clearlier · 03-10-2016 11:51am

Wobbly knee running style. It's ridiculous but I really dislike running behind anyone with a style akin to Priscah Jeptoo's.

I also had someone go past me in a race who every couple of minutes or so was yelling and I mean really yelling 'Come on!' to himself. I just about resisted the temptation to suggest that he might do better trying a bit harder at the running and a bit less at the shouting.

Chartsengrafs · 03-10-2016 12:10pm

Didn't we have a rant thread..?

seamus · 03-10-2016 12:14pm

I'm pretty easygoing overall, people with weird breathing styles or bizarre self-motivation rituals don't annoy me much.

About the only thing that really pisses me off are groups who spread out in a blocking line across the road, instead of running in a formation, or people who don't pay any attention to how much room might be around them - e.g. running in a position where there's no room to get past them safely, but they could easily move left or right to leave a gap.

03-10-2016 12:22pm

People who barely break sweat ambling around but then are all complaints about the distance being out 20 metres on their €400 Garmin.

Sunny Dayz · 03-10-2016 12:40pm

I think it's a bit unfair to complain about people's breathing sounds when they are running. What do you want them to do - stop breathing?!

Sorry I'm a bit ratty but one of the things new runners are conscious of is the sound they make when breathing while running, that and how they look when running and a having red face afterwards. I know I am conscious of how I sound - I find that I do get out of breath quite quickly but at least I'm usually near the back of the field so you don't have to listen to me!
Also just to point out that there may be a good reason why they breath like they do - unfit, overweight, asthma, smoker/ex smoker, getting over cold/flu etc

tang1 · 03-10-2016 12:44pm

Oh god not another one of these.........

RayCun · 03-10-2016 12:54pm

tang1 wrote: »

Oh god not another one of these.........

oh, but I've another one here, runners in races with earphones :pac:

I remember a few years ago someone in a race near me had either heart race or pace zones set up on his watch. This was near the end of the race when all zones are out the window, and it was beeping at him constantly :rolleyes: :pac:

deisedude · 03-10-2016 12:57pm

99% of runners are sound but I hate runners that are condescending to those not on their level

denis160 · 03-10-2016 1:12pm

Runners that run on the road in pairs or more, when a. there's a perfectly safe path beside them to run on & b. there's traffic coming there way & they still insist on running on the road.

Runners that don't wear bright gear/reflective stuff when running in the evening & meet ya on a bend wearing all black gear & frightening the sh*te out of ya.

People that insist on running in groups of 4/5/6 in a line when you're in a race, gee whiz like, pull over & let others overtake ya if they need to instead of us having to roar at ya or go a mile out of the way to pass ye

And yes I'm a fellow runner, but really dislike the increasing arrogance of some runners that I'm meeting on the road as a driver.

Barry Badrinath · 03-10-2016 1:19pm

Runners who spit or blow snot out of their nose without consideration of who is beside or behind them.

YFlyer · 03-10-2016 1:19pm

Those that cut right in front of you when passing out in a race.

TRR_the_turd · 03-10-2016 1:21pm

denis160 wrote: »

People that insist on running in groups of 4/5/6 in a line when you're in a race, gee whiz like, pull over & let others overtake ya if they need to instead of us having to roar at ya or go a mile out of the way to pass ye

runners who say/write gee whiz!

denis160 · 03-10-2016 1:28pm

TRR_the_turd wrote: »

runners who say/write gee whiz!

Ha ha, I was been mindful of my manners! Which some runners just aren't !

seamus · 03-10-2016 1:47pm

RayCun wrote: »

I remember a few years ago someone in a race near me had either heart race or pace zones set up on his watch. This was near the end of the race when all zones are out the window, and it was beeping at him constantly :rolleyes: :pac:

Hah, that could easily have been me (probably wasn't though). Bought Polar HRM for cycling but found it useless. I wore it when I started running and it was grand, but my first race was a GIR 10k, and I spent the last 2k running at 95% with the damn thing constantly beeping at me.

Bought a Garmin a few weeks later :pac:

Myles Splitz · 03-10-2016 1:54pm

"finding your niche" aka proliferation of talent

Between the different of types of events (XC, Indoor/Outdoor Track, Road, Mountain,Ultra), number of events, age categories etc anyone can be a WR holder or Champion without really even racing anyone.

It opens itself to abuse ala Rob Young, Mike Rossi, Mike Vaz so much so that genuine efforts of hard work are not longer cared about unless there is a gimmick.

"Put in the work and reap the rewards" - a mantra long dead.

gramar · 03-10-2016 2:35pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I think it's a bit unfair to complain about people's breathing sounds when they are running. What do you want them to do - stop breathing?!

Sorry I'm a bit ratty but one of the things new runners are conscious of is the sound they make when breathing while running, that and how they look when running and a having red face afterwards. I know I am conscious of how I sound - I find that I do get out of breath quite quickly but at least I'm usually near the back of the field so you don't have to listen to me!
Also just to point out that there may be a good reason why they breath like they do - unfit, overweight, asthma, smoker/ex smoker, getting over cold/flu etc

I'm sure they have a very good reason and whatever annoys you doesn't have to be rational! I've ran quite a few times this summer with lots of people but these two stood out and what can I say...it annoyed me but at the same time helped me to run a bit faster!

aoboa · 03-10-2016 2:41pm

On my long run around the marathon course last Saturday - discarded gel wrappers all over the place.
If you can carry the gel on your run, you can carry the wrapper to a bin.
Grr..

jamule · 03-10-2016 2:46pm

denis160 wrote: »

Runners that run on the road in pairs or more, when a. there's a perfectly safe path beside them to run on & b. there's traffic coming there way & they still insist on running on the road.

Runners that don't wear bright gear/reflective stuff when running in the evening & meet ya on a bend wearing all black gear & frightening the sh*te out of ya.

People that insist on running in groups of 4/5/6 in a line when you're in a race, gee whiz like, pull over & let others overtake ya if they need to instead of us having to roar at ya or go a mile out of the way to pass ye

And yes I'm a fellow runner, but really dislike the increasing arrogance of some runners that I'm meeting on the road as a driver.

Jaysus I hate this, I done a groin last may trying to go around a group of 8 that decided to suddenly slow down, all in a line accross the road

Gavlor · 03-10-2016 2:52pm

This thread has potential.....

I hate the way people take running so f&cking seriously:

Any tips for running on a beach?
should I have a curry 16 days before a 5k?
I'd love to break 40 minutes for 5k, what should the optimal length of my shoelaces be in order to achieve this?
How Long is a 10 mile race?
I've ran 16 times today, should I play violin this evening or is that overdoing it?

it wrecks my bulb.

Rant over (for now)

Edit, I also hate the thought of elitism but I don't see it too often, either on here or in the real world at races, training etc.

Jakey Rolling · 03-10-2016 3:01pm

Fun runners, walkers and buggy pushers ( happened in a local race this year, I suggested she move, she replied she was running with the buggy) who start off at the front of a race causing mayhem with faster runners spending the first km weaving around them

Krusty_Clown · 03-10-2016 3:12pm

YFlyer wrote: »

Those that cut right in front of you when passing out in a race.

I take it you mean 'over-taking'?! In a windy race I'd usually try to take my turn into the wind. In other words I'll sit in behind someone and then overtake and take a forward position so that they can do likewise. About 50% of the time they'll immediately pull up alongside, making it seem like I'm making some sort of d1ck move, instead of trying to share the burden.

What annoys me about other runners? Wearing too much clothing when out running. Stoopid...

MacSwifty · 03-10-2016 3:16pm

Putting incorrect PB's to get elevated in start pens. Even worse giving race #'s to faster runners to gain qualification to said pens or races.

RayCun · 03-10-2016 3:19pm

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

What annoys me about other runners? Wearing too much clothing when out running. Stoopid...

saw a guy out on Saturday, seemed to be wearing the usual too-much gear of leggings, long-sleeved top etc... and also a bin bag over the lot

denis160 · 03-10-2016 3:28pm

MacSwifty wrote: »

Even worse giving race #'s to faster runners to gain qualification to said pens or races.

probably very naive on my part, but do people actually do this?

Myles Splitz · 03-10-2016 3:28pm

MacSwifty wrote: »

Putting incorrect PB's to get elevated in start pens. Even worse giving race #'s to faster runners to gain qualification to said pens or races.

I know 3 boardsies (including myself) missed out on entry to a race this year due to this (entry graded based on your PB till it filled up)

Looked through results after and a number of those entered had official PB's 3-4 min slower than what they would have had to report to get entry.

loudymacloud · 03-10-2016 3:30pm

Men wearing running leggings, dont know why but it just annoys the beejesus out of me.

People carrying a heap of gels for a 10km race, that one more baffles me than annoys me

jamule · 03-10-2016 3:31pm

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

What annoys me about other runners? Wearing too much clothing when out running. Stoopid...

You must have seen some crackers in Berlin. I run about 4-6 weeks of the year in Germany, the amount of gear they wear would put a triathlete to shame!

gramar · 03-10-2016 3:31pm

denis160 wrote: »

probably very naive on my part, but do people actually do this?

I was thinking the same...the dark underbelly of amateur athletics is being unmasked!

Myles Splitz · 03-10-2016 3:31pm

loudymacloud wrote: »

Men wearing running leggings, dont know why but it just annoys the beejesus out of me.

We wear them to ensure that we don't neglect our squats

loudymacloud · 03-10-2016 3:33pm

Myles Splitz wrote: »

I know 3 boardsies (including myself) missed out on entry to a race this year due to this (entry graded based on your PB till it filled up)

Looked through results after and a number of those entered had official PB's 3-4 min slower than what they would have had to report to get entry.

That sounds a bit mad, surely when the actual race is run they get found out when they are way down the pack. Dont see the point myself.

Inventive User Name · 03-10-2016 3:36pm

Gavlor wrote: »

This thread has potential.....

I hate the way people take running so f&cking seriously:

Any tips for running on a beach?
should I have a curry 16 days before a 5k?

I'd love to break 40 minutes for 5k, what should the optimal length of my shoelaces be in order to achieve this?

How Long is a 10 mile race?
I've ran 16 times today, should I play violin this evening or is that overdoing it?

it wrecks my bulb.

Rant over (for now)

Edit, I also hate the thought of elitism but I don't see it too often, either on here or in the real world at races, training etc.

I don't understand how someone looking for advice on how to improve themselves gets you so riled up?

It is a sport after all, not everybody runs primarily for exercise, or to lose weight, etc. (although that's fine if they do, fair play to them). You come across as having a bit of an inferiority complex.

Do you have a similar attitude towards GAA players, for example, because of how serious the majority of club teams are when competing for a county championship?

conavitzky · 03-10-2016 3:37pm

When you go for a warm down after a race and when you get back all the feckin food is gone. Muck savages. Ah memories of the old rant thread!

Myles Splitz · 03-10-2016 3:42pm

Inventive User Name wrote: »

I don't understand how someone looking for advice on how to improve themselves gets you so riled up?

It is a sport after all, not everybody runs primarily for exercise, or to lose weight, etc. (although that's fine if they do, fair play to them). You come across as having a bit of an inferiority complex.

Do you have a similar attitude towards GAA players, for example, because of how serious the majority of club teams are when competing for a county championship?

Think the sarcasm is missed a bit.

Often people spend so much time focusing on these minute details so much that they often forget that at its core its a simple sport, get out and run, the more you put in the more you will get out. We look for excuses, silver bullets, or niche events that people won't don't do in order to get acclaim simply because there is no general standard known to quantify an achievement.

You make an interesting comparison though I would argue that very few actual take running seriously at all in terms of competing.

robinph · 03-10-2016 3:44pm

Jakey Rolling wrote: »

... and buggy pushers ( happened in a local race this year, I suggested she move, she replied she was running with the buggy) who start off at the front of a race causing mayhem with faster runners spending the first km weaving around them

Guilty as charged each week at parkrun currently.

However, at the point when I get beaten to the first corner by more than two* people I'll revert to starting at the back of the pack and five minutes after everyone else. At a new to me parkrun I'd be starting at the back, but my current one out of a field of 200+ if I start at the back I'll finish in about 20-30th, if I start at the front I'll finish in about 4th or 5th. More of an issue for more people if I start at the back at that parkrun.

*Criteria for cut off may change.

HS3 · 03-10-2016 3:52pm

Runners who glide passed you like gazelles on a hill as you're struggling to remain upright :pac:

Runners who forget who they're talking to...'my pace was so slow it wasn't running at all', all the while knowing that pace would be your ideal race pace. Smoke it out yer ar$e :pac:

And I have to go with the folks in a race running 3-4 people wide blocking the path. Probably not so much of an issue at the front, but it's very annoying on those rare occasions I find myself overtaking people!

MacSwifty · 03-10-2016 3:55pm

denis160 wrote: »

MacSwifty wrote: »

Even worse giving race #'s to faster runners to gain qualification to said pens or races.

probably very naive on my part, but do people actually do this?

Myles answered for me but yes it goes on unfortunately

seamus · 03-10-2016 3:57pm

Myles Splitz wrote: »

Often people spend so much time focusing on these minute details so much that they often forget that at its core its a simple sport

Part of it is probably that so much online advice comes from analysing or interviewing elite athletes, that people think they need to focus on the minute details in order to get better.
Articles rarely tell you to "just get out and run" and instead go into optimal diets, rest periods, nutritional supplements and expensive gear. They fail to mention as a footnote that these things only really matter if you're training to place in a national competition.
So when people are looking for advice specific to their own situation they end up with some bizarre questions.

Casey78 · 03-10-2016 3:58pm

Runners who go into the wrong wave at the start. I'm not very fast but always go into the wave that suits me for the time I know I can do. 1 or 2km into the race there always seems to be people walking and getting in others way.
Why not just start in the wave that suits you rather than getting in everyone's way.
I'm talking about the Marathon Series in the Phoenix Park specifically as I don't really do any other races.

Gavlor · 03-10-2016 4:17pm

Inventive User Name wrote: »

I don't understand how someone looking for advice on how to improve themselves gets you so riled up?

It is a sport after all, not everybody runs primarily for exercise, or to lose weight, etc. (although that's fine if they do, fair play to them). You come across as having a bit of an inferiority complex.

Do you have a similar attitude towards GAA players, for example, because of how serious the majority of club teams are when competing for a county championship?

I don't recall ever saying that someone looking for advice riles me, in fact I welcome it.

What riles me is the junior infant levels of some of the questions, where the answers a glaringly obvious.

People should ask themselves "what would 10 year old me have done in this scenario" before asking others for questions such as those in my previous example!

deisedude · 03-10-2016 4:24pm

RayCun wrote: »

saw a guy out on Saturday, seemed to be wearing the usual too-much gear of leggings, long-sleeved top etc... and also a bin bag over the lot

If he was wearing a bin bag i'd guess he was a boxer trying to make weight for a fight

Inventive User Name · 03-10-2016 4:35pm

Gavlor wrote: »

I don't recall ever saying that someone looking for advice riles me, in fact I welcome it.

What riles me is the junior infant levels of some of the questions, where the answers a glaringly obvious.

People should ask themselves "what would 10 year old me have done in this scenario" before asking others for questions such as those in my previous example!

Seems like I misinterpreted your point Gavlor, my mistake!

Sunny Dayz · 03-10-2016 4:36pm

Jakey Rolling wrote: »

Fun runners, walkers and buggy pushers ( happened in a local race this year, I suggested she move, she replied she was running with the buggy) who start off at the front of a race causing mayhem with faster runners spending the first km weaving around them

I'm embarrassed to say that I've been overtaken (on a few occasions) by buggy pushers who start at the back of the field! I can barely push myself - how the hell can they do that?!

Chivito550 · 03-10-2016 4:38pm

People who invest heavily in their running (financially and emotionally) yet won't join a club. These people are useless to the sport IMO. May aswell be playing tennis or judo as they are keeping themselves (and their money) outside of the sport, when the sport badly needs them (and the money). I'm not talking about people who are starting out. I'm talking about people who have been running for a good while but full on refuse to join a club despite being perfectly capable runners.

Also runners who couldn't give a flying toss about watching top level athletics, and could tell you more about Ruud Van Nistelrooy than about Thomas Barr. You don't see people who play soccer not watching soccer, people who play tennis not watching tennis etc.

crisco10 · 03-10-2016 4:39pm

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

I think it's a bit unfair to complain about people's breathing sounds when they are running. What do you want them to do - stop breathing?!

Sorry I'm a bit ratty but one of the things new runners are conscious of is the sound they make when breathing while running, that and how they look when running and a having red face afterwards. I know I am conscious of how I sound - I find that I do get out of breath quite quickly but at least I'm usually near the back of the field so you don't have to listen to me!
Also just to point out that there may be a good reason why they breath like they do - unfit, overweight, asthma, smoker/ex smoker, getting over cold/flu etc

Hah, it's funny I completely agree with you and I spend a lot of time amongst friends and work colleagues convincing them to just get out and run and that nobody cares if you breath hard, look red and are going terribly slowly.

but...............in a race situation I get driven mad by someone breathing damn hard. More so if it's early in the race, obviously in the last stretch all bets are off. But say if its mile 3 of a half marathon, I'm trying to keep my perceived effort low and I find it stresses me out if someones perceived effort is audibly high in my vicinity.
That said, I'm fully willing to accept that this irritation more exposes my mental fragility more than anything else.

Jakey Rolling · 03-10-2016 4:42pm

robinph wrote:

However, at the point when I get beaten to the first corner by more than two* people I'll revert to starting at the back of the pack and five minutes after everyone else. At a new to me parkrun I'd be starting at the back, but my current one out of a field of 200+ if I start at the back I'll finish in about 20-30th, if I start at the front I'll finish in about 4th or 5th. More of an issue for more people if I start at the back at that parkrun.

I appreciate there's a few who would keep pace, had a mate who used to run just over 40min 10k with the buggy!

Lady in my original post was in with the 20 min runners, finished around 30 min. Three quarters of the field had to pass her out.

Wild Garlic · 03-10-2016 5:15pm

Chivito550 wrote: »

People who invest heavily in their running (financially and emotionally) yet won't join a club. These people are useless to the sport IMO. May aswell be playing tennis or judo as they are keeping themselves (and their money) outside of the sport, when the sport badly needs them (and the money). I'm not talking about people who are starting out. I'm talking about people who have been running for a good while but full on refuse to join a club despite being perfectly capable runners.

Also runners who couldn't give a flying toss about watching top level athletics, and could tell you more about Ruud Van Nistelrooy than about Thomas Barr. You don't see people who play soccer not watching soccer, people who play tennis not watching tennis etc.

You're easily annoyed.
Who's Thomas Barr?

RacoonQueen · 03-10-2016 5:37pm

Chivito550 wrote: »

People who invest heavily in their running (financially and emotionally) yet won't join a club. These people are useless to the sport IMO. May aswell be playing tennis or judo as they are keeping themselves (and their money) outside of the sport, when the sport badly needs them (and the money). I'm not talking about people who are starting out. I'm talking about people who have been running for a good while but full on refuse to join a club despite being perfectly capable runners.

Joining clubs doesn't suit some people. While I'm still a club member, being a member of the club does nothing to benefit me as I never get to their training sessions. The times and location no longer suit me, nor do that of my now local clubs.

You seem to have a very blinkered, one way only way of viewing things.

Chivito550 wrote: »

Also runners who couldn't give a flying toss about watching top level athletics, and could tell you more about Ruud Van Nistelrooy than about Thomas Barr. You don't see people who play soccer not watching soccer, people who play tennis not watching tennis etc.

Ridiculous, there are plenty of people who participate in other sports who never watch said sport. Where on earth did you pull this statement/belief from?

Chivito550 · 03-10-2016 6:03pm

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Joining clubs doesn't suit some people. While I'm still a club member, being a member of the club does nothing to benefit me as I never get to their training sessions. The times and location no longer suit me, nor do that of my now local clubs.

You seem to have a very blinkered, one way only way of viewing things.

Ridiculous, there are plenty of people who participate in other sports who never watch said sport. Where on earth did you pull this statement/belief from?

Ehhhh you are missing the point of this thread. Basically people blowing off steam about silly stuff that annoys them.

If we are engaging in actual debates here I may aswell tell the bloke who hates the sound of other people's breathing to wear some headphones, which in the process, has the nice side effect of pissing off the person who ranted about people wearing headphones. And so on and so forth.

RayCun · 03-10-2016 6:04pm

deisedude wrote: »

If he was wearing a bin bag i'd guess he was a boxer trying to make weight for a fight

That's what the OH suggested, but he had more of the look of a runner

Wild Garlic · 03-10-2016 6:43pm

Chivito550 wrote: »

Ehhhh you are missing the point of this thread. Basically people blowing off steam about silly stuff that annoys them.

If we are engaging in actual debates here I may aswell tell the bloke who hates the sound of other people's breathing to wear some headphones, which in the process, has the nice side effect of pissing off the person who ranted about people wearing headphones. And so on and so forth.

Saying people who run and are not part of a club are useless to the sport is hardly "silly stuff" now is it.
Down right insulting comment. True to form I suppose.

What annoys you about other runners and running in general?

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