Having a wife who was a runner, and a sister who is a runner, has probably made me more sensitive to the issue.
If possible, I'll pass on the opposite side of the street (I'm generally running on the road). If not I'll generally do the "runner coming through" or "coming by on the right" thing.
What does amaze me though is the numbers of people (and particularly women, in this context) who are running with headphones, making it totally impossible to give them an advanced warning.
Do you guys not give a little call out when passing? I usually say "On your left" so they (men or women) know which way I'm going and don't jump out of the way right into me.
I Can't believe how many of you are triggered by being asked to be polite
From the Comments wrote:
I'm sick to death of joggers (particularly male) approaching suddenly from behind, or even from in front round narrow paths in woods. They have no perception of the effect on a lone woman. They make me jump out of my skin and sometimes even shout in fear. This, in turn, has affected my dog, who's picked up on my fright and now sees all joggers as a threat and barks and jumps around them, for which I get an ear-bashing. The result is I now have to muzzle her, for fear her reactive behaviour could get worse. Thanks a bundle, joggers. I have to ask 'would you run up at speed like this behind a horse?'. Good luck with that.
POD. Excellent troll. If it isn't, you should be banned from all trails....and your little dog, too.
Hello,
I usually don't say anything because talking can be viewed as "having a misplaced interest in the other sex" so obviously silence is the new polite.
Also if you don't hear me coming (1,91 m / 86 kg / running / breathing / fluorescent orange vest) it's a lost cause and the problem is on you.
If you need to be warned to stay on your side of the road, why ?? Why not just refrain from being in the middle using all the space you can and be forcefully put aside, or having to be on the lookout all the time ? Personally I stay on my side, leave space to others, and live my life happily.
Note this has nothing to do with the sex you belong, women and men are equal.
I don't give a damn. If I'm out for a run I'm not going to worry about whose feelings I offend.
What DOES annoy me is vicious dogs off their lead. To the point I started carrying a knife.
Cavorty wrote:
Having a wife who was a runner, and a sister who is a runner, has probably made me more sensitive to the issue.
If possible, I'll pass on the opposite side of the street (I'm generally running on the road). If not I'll generally do the "runner coming through" or "coming by on the right" thing.
What does amaze me though is the numbers of people (and particularly women, in this context) who are running with headphones, making it totally impossible to give them an advanced warning.
What if there is traffic? I wouldn't dream of crossing the road just in case I "startle" a woman, lol. It's a public space. What about gangs of lads, white van men, dogs off their leash, speeding cyclists etc. Women must be scared out of their mind everytime they leave the house. Just lol. Men are in danger too especially running alone on trail that's why I carry a knife.
I just get up close and yell "TRACK!!!!."
babaganosh wrote:
Do you guys not give a little call out when passing? I usually say "On your left" so they (men or women) know which way I'm going and don't jump out of the way right into me.
I find that "get the ***k out of my way!" works well.
Perhaps there is an opportunity for Rojo to create and sell a LetsRun “bell”.
Aren't women supposed to be sentient adults that are equal to men? Why are we encouraged to treat them like children? Don't women find this sort of thing insulting?
Like dude, just run by, I don't care. Blurring something out before passing someone is just going to startle and/or annoy them.
Clearly you have no idea what living as a woman is like. We are literally harassed and assaulted by men throughout our entire lives.
I alert anyone, male or female, headphones or not, when I am about to pass them from behind. It's just common courtesy and prevents a possible collision if the person suddenly steps in front of me. Think about a time a cyclist has blown by you running without giving a warning.
just sod off wrote:
I don't give a damn. If I'm out for a run I'm not going to worry about whose feelings I offend.
What DOES annoy me is vicious dogs off their lead. To the point I started carrying a knife.
you sound like a brit, you know its illegal to carry a knife in this way in public?
babaganosh wrote:
Do you guys not give a little call out when passing? I usually say "On your left" so they (men or women) know which way I'm going and don't jump out of the way right into me.
That works most of the time, but probably 1 out of 4 times I say "on your left" some directionally-challenged idiot will move TO their left right into my path.
An issue here is suddenly, silently and quickly approaching someone from behind, as frequently occurs when runners or cyclists catch up to people. The sudden appearance of someone seemingly out of nowhere startles both men and women. It could also be interpreted as a threat.
Its no big deal to make some noise to alert those ahead of you that you are coming up on them. Saying 'behind you', 'on your left', coughing or clearing your throat, or ringing a bell if you are a cyclist are good ways to do this.
People wearing headphones, playing music, engaged in conversations with a friend, or lost in their thoughts can't complain if they are startled. If one is walking on a public path you must expect to encounter other people on that path.
Wasn't there a recent thread or article about how women believe any type of verbal communication with strange men is creepy? If that is true then coughing or clearing your throat may work.
I like the runbell,
just sod off wrote:
I started carrying a knife.
Good call, David Eisenhauer.
95% of women out jogging or walking have ear buds in, so calling out doesn't make a difference. If anyone is that skittish about being passed from behind, then stay inside or run in a populated area. This isn't difficult.
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