Running etiquette
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Anton posted 49 weeks ago.
When passing a woman especially in the dark...I always make some sort of noise...innocently...a cough or a hack or something, even an "on your left." AND I give as wide a berth as possible...many women run in fear in the dark, but it's the only time they can get out...we must do our best to make our presence known...It's not braggadocious...if she was wearing head phones however and listening to music...shame on her. That is simply not safe.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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tri-ac posted 49 weeks ago.
as a big guy who runs early in the morning, i've had other folks change sides of the street when they see me.
i try to be as visible as i can, and try to look as unthreatening as I'm able, and if they clearly don't see me, i move waay out of their way (into the road or whatever). i haven't yet scared the crap out of someone, but i can see it happening like you experienced (w/out the ass slapping)...
did you apologize or was she already dialing 911 for backup?
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RV posted 49 weeks ago.
When I'm running in the dark I carry a flashlight and that is an easy way to alert someone ahead of me. I will call out as well.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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kylie posted 49 weeks ago.
Yeah, I usually just pass as well, but can see how scary that would be for her! I like the ideas of coughing/etc, but she still might be nervous about someone running so fast "towards her". Perhaps as you get behind her a "good morning" or something.
Kylie Donia's Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
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cjhoffmn posted 49 weeks ago.
This has always bothered me a bit, and I've usually adopted the "cough and hack" approach. It seems non-threatening, and I can usually get their attention quite well.
There was one time though... I coughed and *thought* the woman had turned around to look. Turns out I was wrong, and as I went past her (for those of you who've read some of my other posts about my running speed - yes, she was walking) she jumped about 4 feet off the sidewalk. I spun around, ran backwards for a few steps and called out "sorry."
I think in the future, I may do the bike/blader calls "Passing left" etc...
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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callco posted 49 weeks ago.
I failed to apologize. I wish I would have. My mind was focused on making good time. I never even looked back.
Like I said, I feel pretty bad. I think I'm a jerk or something.
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cjhoffmn posted 49 weeks ago.
Let's hope she's a member here and reads this thread...
If nothing else, she probably finished her own run on a PR given the extra adrenalin shot she got.
That, and the extra sprint she did trying to catch you to clonk you over the head...
To tri or not to tri - that's not a question at all!
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brittda posted 49 weeks ago.
I always say something personally (especially if the other person does not have head phones on). Usually, its "on your left" or "excuse me". As a girl who runs in the dark, I have had that happen to me. ANY forwarning noise is nice though. It is not bragging. I know I am not the fastest, and am ok with that. I like a "good mornining" or a "hello" from a fellow runner.
Anton--- if she were wearing headphones , its not shame on HER, rather shame on anyone she needs to worry about. I personally wear them in the dark-- I keep them at a level so that I can hear arond me though, and I live in what is considered a safe neighborhood (the police cars are numbered with single digits, and only go to 6 ) It may not be the smartest thing, but it should not be ok for a guy to wear them and not a girl.
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cayman posted 49 weeks ago.
there's usually little or no traffic that time of morning so I'll cross the street about a block back and cut back over after I'm sure I've been seen and when I've established enough of a lead not to seem threatening.
If it's a guy, I'll wait until I'm about 2 feet away and yell, "move your sorry a$$", blow a snot rocket on the way by and then run like hell. Good speed work. :D
john
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
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Iron Dan posted 49 weeks ago.
I have been startled a few times while running in the dark myself, and I am a fairly large man. It is my fault because I always run with music and the sight of something coming into my periphery all of a sudden in the dark scares the hell out of me.
I have never been upset about it after the fact but it nice when someone yells out something to let you know that are coming up behind you. I usually clear my throat a few times as I am coming up behind someone. To me it doesn't seem like I am pointing out that I am passing them, but it is just a noise so that they know someone is behind them.
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blavelle posted 49 weeks ago.
I do the jaws thing...ya know....
dunnn un......dunnn un.....dun un.....dun un dun dun dun dun BAD AAA!!!
:p , now that I think of that, maybe next time Im trying to pick people of in cross country ill do that.
"now I only have good days and great days."
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jacmun posted 49 weeks ago.
Don't feel bad, she probably was relieved you weren't jack the ripper. I'd be especially happy she left that pepper spray on the kitchen counter......
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qb ant posted 49 weeks ago.
I occassionally run in the dark, but try to avoid it. Most guys that pass me out on the road usually will say something and I appreciate it although no one has ever slapped my butt :eek: . I also wear headphones - who doesn't love running to music, but if I'm alone, I only put in one earphone and keep it low enough to hear what's going on around me. I also live in a "safe" neighborhood, but every other week you hear of something happening to someone - just last week a women runner was attacked at a popular park and she had a dog with her. If you're gonna use headphones, make sure you can still hear and always be aware of your surroundings.
Don't beat yourself up over this, yeah you probably should have said something, but if we're gonna be out there in the dark, we all need to pay attention.
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
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Sloswimr posted 49 weeks ago.
brittda;84135 wrote:
its not shame on HER, rather shame on anyone she needs to worry about. It may not be the smartest thing, but it should not be ok for a guy to wear them and not a girl.
I alwys say "good Morning" or cough hack and give a wide birth. I've found that "on your left" usually gets a look to the left which causes them to move left in to you.
Brittda: your comments seem in conflict and unsafe. Wearing head phones is unsafe for everyone from a stand point of hearing cars, bikes, dogs, other runners, etc. But a girl can wear them just because a guy can? Sorry, but there are all sorts of reasons why that dog won't hunt!
One is in this thread!
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biketm posted 49 weeks ago.
I almost always say "runner coming up behind you", then when I'm next to them I say "I didn't want to scare you" They always say thanks and we both keep running. I think it's a common courtesy to say - cough - mumble something when passing close. Or I might move to the other side of the road when passing sometimes. But if the runner is listening to music and they don't hear me, and they get startled...that's their fault and problem. I hate listening to music running myself..takes the pure joy out of it to me.
I have to say I have been startled many times by cyclists who pass close to me when I am zoning out on a run.
Tim
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callco posted 49 weeks ago.
I'm a reformed man. I hereby swear to:
1) Announce my presence to other runners
2) Turn and apologize to anyone I startle
3) Refrain from butt slapping
Thanks for the advice!
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brittda posted 49 weeks ago.
Brittda: your comments seem in conflict and unsafe. Wearing head phones is unsafe for everyone from a stand point of hearing cars, bikes, dogs, other runners, etc. But a girl can wear them just because a guy can? Sorry, but there are all sorts of reasons why that dog won't hunt!
One is in this thread!
I did not say that it was NOT unsafe for everyone. What I said was, a woman should not HAVE to worry any more than a man, and for a man to say "shame on her" is a judgement he should not be making. No one said the same about the original poster running with headphones " blaring loud enough that I can't hear myself breathe " (No, not judging as I have done it too, if it is what you feel comfortable with go for it). We have all worn them.
Fact is, in the real world there are more things for a woman to worry about, but it really is no mans position to judge what she should or should not do. All I was saying.
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beads1985 posted 49 weeks ago.
cayman;84136 wrote:
there's usually little or no traffic that time of morning so I'll cross the street about a block back and cut back over after I'm sure I've been seen and when I've established enough of a lead not to seem threatening.If it's a guy, I'll wait until I'm about 2 feet away and yell, "move your sorry a$$", blow a snot rocket on the way by and then run like hell. Good speed work.
I'll be sure to wear my 'Snot Shield' if I hear you coming
I go to the left a little, say "excuse me, coming up on your left". As I pass I say "Thanks, have a good morning" or I have been know to strike up a conversation....since I am a bit of a talker. :D
Nothing to it, but to do it
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Triguy98 posted 49 weeks ago.
I MIGHT do the clear the throat thing if the lady is all alone and its dark out. If shes on the phone or with headphones on, I'm breezing right by. Be aware of your surroundings, people. I dont get the need for technology while running. I use it as my time away from all that crap. I run, it's me, my dog, and the silence. Thankfully the dog doesnt talk (much.)
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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Anton posted 49 weeks ago.
If it was a guy and had the snot scared out of him while he was wearing headphones...shame on HIM! My comment was situation specific and not connected to gender.
I can think of half a dozen cases here in the DC area alone where women have been raped and or murdered while wearing headphones or talking on a cell and distracted. There are cases every weekend locally where folks running with headphones are nailed by bikies on the paths...despite what you may want to believe...it is NOT safe.
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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Riverbrady posted 49 weeks ago.
As many of my female friends continually remind me, we boys have no idea of many, or the level of things, many females have to worry about in society nowadays in relation to their safety.
Letting them know you're there isn't braggardly, and for someone prepared for someone jumping out may save getting sprayed or shocked one day (know a friend it happend to - tasers hurt).
Personally, I call out "'morning" once I'm close enough that I figure they'd be able to hear me. It also generally causes people to head to the side (most any talking will subconsciously move people to the side of a path) and I can toss out a "thanks" or "excuse me" as I go by.
"Care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible."
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gfd posted 49 weeks ago.
Some one at my school showed me this site recently. It was an eye opener as to the relative safety of my town.
I also call out "good morning" and then try to say something friendly. I mostly see women with walking or running with their dogs. And depending on the size of the dog, I definitely want them to know I am coming.
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Anton posted 49 weeks ago.
Here is My running Club's S.A.F.E.T.Y Link..
Note the tag line..."Running is your right...Safety is your responsibility.
http://www.mcrrc.org/health/safety.php
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" - Vincent Van Gogh
My Blog: http://agingsuperhero.blogspot.com
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qb ant posted 49 weeks ago.
Let's face it, are there really any "safe" neighborhoods? Anything can happen to anyone, any time, anywhere. It is YOUR responsibility to stay alert and be smart about what you are doing.
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
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wirebook posted 49 weeks ago.
One thing I do when I'm about 25-30 yards back from someone I'm overtaking is skiff my shoe on the pavement once or twice. It's innocous enough, but most people hear it and turn around recongnizing someone is behind them. I usually say hello on the way past. If the skiffing didn't work - then a quick 'on your left' also does the trick.
I do apologize when I scare the crap out of someone. But sometimes (men and women) just have the headphones too loud.
-Ray
Tri Blog: Http://dcrainmaker.blogspot.com
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triad posted 49 weeks ago.
Wirebook: I scuff my sole on the deck as well and it has usually served to do what I hope, though females always regard me with caution.
You can follow my progress @ http://triphile.wordpress.com.
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Gary3 posted 48 weeks ago.
I knew of a guy who wore Headphones while Biking, he was training for a Ironman race and the music took some of the boredom out of long rides. Talk about being stupid.
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TriSig posted 48 weeks ago.
I had a guy (twice my size) turn and slap me once when i ran past him. Who slaps these days? But yeah, I'm with Anton, headphones are unsafe. I prefer to think of my workout and practice visualization techniques instead of listen to music.
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fittycent posted 48 weeks ago.
The faster runner can only do so much - you want to be considerate, but responsibility also rests with the slower movers to mind their surroundings - might I suggest a rear-view mirror? :)
It's one thing to frighten someone on a lonely path, but whenever I startle someone on a crowded path, I think it's pretty dang funny, especially if it's a dude with headphones!
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wllmsylv posted 48 weeks ago.
Well, I am going to offer a defferent opinion. I think it serves her right. When ever I am running I try to be aware of my surroundings. I stay way to the right to give cyclists plenty of room to pass. So what if you were an attacker. As far as I am concerened she should have seen you coming if she was paying attention. Lets face it, its not like you 2 were rounding a corner in a tight hallway. You had time to to have a conversation on what you should be which means she had ample time to glance back like she should be doing anyways. Especially when you are running on the shoulder of the road cause cars are always passing and you should definately try to be aware.
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Gary3 posted 48 weeks ago.
TriSig;84535 wrote:
I had a guy (twice my size) turn and slap me once when i ran past him. Who slaps these days? But yeah, I'm with Anton, headphones are unsafe. I prefer to think of my workout and practice visualization techniques instead of listen to music.
Got slapped?? Whats up with that?
This morning at about 6am (still dark) I'm out pounding the pavement at a pretty good clip and I realize there's someone running in the same direction about a block ahead of me, both of us on the left side of the street. She's obviously just jogging, and I'm pretty much running in an attempt to cover 5K in under 24 minutes. I'm gaining on her. Fast. I don't want to be a dork, so I consider what I should do as I approach and pass. In the end I conclude that I should do nothing - just pass.
I'm pushing along, headphones blaring loud enough that I can't hear myself breathe (or even hear myself think, for that matter :) ), and I move to the right far enough that a wide swinging arm from either of us won't cause any contact. As soon as I enter her peripheral vision I hear a blood-curdling scream that, in spite of the music blasting in my ears, pierces through my skull and bounces around my brain.
After the echo and the ringing died down, I removed my freshly shattered eyewear and reconstructed the events in my mind. It would seem I startled the poor gal out of her wits. Evidently she didn't hear me coming at all. I suppose slapping her on the butt on the way by didn't help, but that's a separate discussion. :D J/K.
Now I feel bad. Evidently I made the wrong choice in passing etiquette. I have always felt that announcing my arrival to fellow runners (and, similarly, to bikers) is braggadocious, so I pretty much never do it.
Is there an "official" guide on what to do in those situations?