Do you ackowledge other runners or walkers while running?

Ososlo wrote: »

We regularly get some well known runners in our local park. Some acknowledge and some don't so interesting to see how it varies even with the internationals and elites:

Fionnuala Britton - a glance in my direction and nice smile
Mary Cullen - didn't appear to see me and whizzed by
Sophie Duarte - A really nice friendly smile and a 'hi'
Gary O'Hanlon - passing by me going in same direction - no acknowledgment
Barbara Sanchez - no acknowledgement
Kit 3...a middle finger followed by a kick in d crackers

Edit: Oh I forgot! Belcarra - a half a hello

anyone else?

fyp

physiopad wrote:

Have met World Champion Rob Heffernan out training and gotten a very friendly hello and he was flying along. 

He might be able to help ososlo's mate out in the MARATHON

Just walk away:pac:

kit3 wrote: »

If we all did that when asked for help the world would be a poorer place - would hate to see this place get so elitist that we can't entertain the thoughts of someone walking a 10k - we all started somewhere

I was joking.

For the record I agree with you, but I knew O was just having a rant and I wasn't going to disagree with her. I'm afraid of her. Did you ever read her log, she's as mad as a hatter, running, thats all she ever thinks about. Complete bonkers:D

Ososlo wrote: »

She doesn't want to start running. She wants to walk the fcuking thing! She wants to walk not run. !!

let me recommend Mci...I'm sure they have a training plan

I would whole-heartedly endorse everything KK said in his post, and very well-put it was too. In my own experience, I divide runners into two camps. There are, well, let's call them 'club runners'. These are the epitome of everything Krusty's talking about - friendly, inclusive, aware they are part of a wider community, and who nearly always acknowledge brother/sister runners. The other camp, I call iPhone runners. The machine is clamped to the arm, the headphones are on, and MapMyRun is recording the route/mileage. These, mostly, are the people who don't say hello. In my view this is because their running is different. They aren't part of a collective, a greater whole. They'll never join a running club, but they are in a gym. They go to the gym when it's raining and run on the treadmill. Their physical activities, whatever they may include, are all about 'personal fulfilment'. I suspect some of them don't really enjoy running, and that's why they are put off by bad weather or work/life-enforced inconvenience. When they run, they aren't out in the world, encountering others walking, running, cycling. They are in their zone, and the outside world doesn't really exist.

Ok, that's my no doubt massive over-generalisation done with. Now down to the specifics. Personally, I always try to acknowledge other runners, and anyone else who's willing to reciprocate, for that matter. If I'm blowing hard, doing a tempo, whatever, I mightn't be willing to spare the breath, but I'll still lift a hand. As to men being the ones who mostly do the ignoring, I'd have to disagree. In my own experience, more women than men just pass on by. I suppose it's got to do with personal security, and a perception of danger, and as a man I'm in no position to tell any woman she's mistaken in doing so, but I still think it's regrettable. I nearly always say hello to female runners, and if I get a response, great. If not, no harm. I certainly don't subscribe to the "say nothing in case they think you're a lech" view. that's more than a bit insecure, I'd have to say.

As for running on the road, for all the reasons mentioned above, I do it too, unless I think it's actively dangerous. My reply to any drivers who challenge me, or cyclists for that matter, and to be honest I've only experienced it, once, with the latter - is always the same. "When did you last drive/park/cycle on the path?" That's right, the last time you felt like it, or it suited you to do so. Now fcuk off out of my face.