Heckled on long run in Portland Oregon. Best response?

i like to make a gesture that doesn't mean anything, like sticking up my pinky finger and pointing at it. It tends to make people feel stupid because the context suggests you are saying something negative to them but the gesture means nothing. I figure they worry and think about it for a while, which makes me laugh.

I've done it occasionally when heckled while running, but its is more often useful in traffic "disagreements."

I live in TN, where 80% of people are idiots and people yell from cars fairly often. On the nicer side, I once had a church bus stop and see if I needed a ride.

SMJO wrote:

How are you not? They are often in a car stuck at a light, you are a free runner.

It couldn't be more in your favor.

They plural vs you singular?

One runner is going to upstage a group of hecklers?

Group dynamics would be different if your xc team or at least 3 or 4 were on a group run being heckled from one guy in a car.

Had a car follow me and my friends playing 'Eye of the Tiger' for the entire length of the song. It was awesome!

I usually shout some stupid retort or joke back at them, smile and wave, and move on with my life.

this here wrote:

SMJO wrote:

How are you not? They are often in a car stuck at a light, you are a free runner.

It couldn't be more in your favor.

They plural vs you singular?

One runner is going to upstage a group of hecklers?

Group dynamics would be different if your xc team or at least 3 or 4 were on a group run being heckled from one guy in a car.

Sure. Why would numbers mean anything?

How are bunch of dudes in a car going to be able to compete with a guy who is in full view and already half naked?

Five guys in a small hatchback (the typical heckler configuration) already look far more like ridicule material.

Are they going to call you gay when they are practically giving each other a lap dance?

If you are worried that they are going to actually do something to you it might be time to improve either your running or your basic physical condition.

We're talking about a distance runner. If the guys in that car are not in child seats, he's in trouble.

jjjjjjjjj wrote:

young master wrote:

Any response at all is a win for the heckler.

It may feel less satisfying, but ignoring the heckler who is trying to impress his friends (ever see a lone heckler?) is the cruelest thing you can do to him.

Wrong, a snappy comeback silences and humiliates them 99% of the time. You say nothing or just laugh and they think they've got you. I usually say something but the other day a contractor clapped at me and said, "you can do it, you can do it," when I was inching along pushing the jogging stroller after a hard tempo earlier in the day (4M on the track @5:36/M, my first tempo in a while). Playing along did not make me feel better. Always knock them down verbally.

What would you say to humiliate the contractor in this situation?

Mouthy people who start things are always harmless. You're supposed to learn that in grade one, possibly earlier.

young master wrote:

jjjjjjjjj wrote:

Wrong, a snappy comeback silences and humiliates them 99% of the time. You say nothing or just laugh and they think they've got you. I usually say something but the other day a contractor clapped at me and said, "you can do it, you can do it," when I was inching along pushing the jogging stroller after a hard tempo earlier in the day (4M on the track @5:36/M, my first tempo in a while). Playing along did not make me feel better. Always knock them down verbally.

What would you say to humiliate the contractor in this situation?

"You can't do it".

Guys who are supposed to be getting something done well hate it when people say that.

Just remind yourself that you are in better physical shape than most of the people that heckle you and will never be able to run a 5k as fast as you can.

portland runner 30000 wrote:

I got heckled while crossing the street (on a walk signal) today. I was running in the suburbs of Portland. It really ticked me off and affected my entire long run.

I ignored them completely (didn't even look at them), but it lingered on my mind for the rest of the run. I figured if I responded, it would make my long run even worse and I'd be worried they'd follow me.

What's the best response in the future?

1) Ignore it

2) Flip them off

3) Yell insults back at them?

4) Record their license plate and report it?

5) Other?

report it for sure. I think Portland PD has a special unit for hate crimes against effeminate runners - even those wearing short shorts.

It hasn't happened to me very often. (Running for 38 years) I guess the Bay Area doesn't have that many clowns.

But, when I was younger the few times it happened I responded by flipping them off. I was once a hot head always willing to fight.

I learned growing up that a willingness to fight was a great asset. I believed that there was no such thing as a fair fight and would use anything available as a weapon, including my teeth. My approach was to inflict as much serious damage as possible as fast as possible. Even large guys fear speed.

Now that I'm older, and not as much of an ego maniac, I don't take things like that personally. It's just some jerk yelling at an anonymous runner. I just happen to be that anonymous runner, it could have been Brad Pitt or Joe Montana that the clown was heckling, what difference does it really make.

As far as the guy who says he just smiles and waves...you're an effeminate loser. You're not fooling anyone.

portland runner 30000 wrote:

I got heckled while crossing the street (on a walk signal) today. I was running in the suburbs of Portland. It really ticked me off and affected my entire long run.

I ignored them completely (didn't even look at them), but it lingered on my mind for the rest of the run. I figured if I responded, it would make my long run even worse and I'd be worried they'd follow me.

What's the best response in the future?

1) Ignore it

2) Flip them off

3) Yell insults back at them?

4) Record their license plate and report it?

5) Other?

You really thought about it your entire run? Sheesh it's not that big of a deal. Sure it's annoying, but I honestly forget about it like 2 min after. Best thing to do is ignore completely in my opinion.

My response to hecklers usual depends on what I'm wearing.

If I'm wearing half-tights I usually slap my butt cheeks with my hand while they can see me.

If I'm wearing split short-shorts I lift up the back end so they can see part of my pale cheeks.

I'm not quite sure why.

You have to ignore the heckle, but keep an eye on the heckler. When you're on your feet, it's never a good idea to take on someone in a car. Also, you never want to taunt someone who may be armed. If you doubt that, just Google the key words "shot while jogging." Sure, we'd often like to grab idiots and yank them out of their cars and give them our fists along with a piece of our mind. It's not worth the risk, and words don't equal assault. And why give morons the satisfaction of thinking their words mean anything to you. Finish your run. Your revenge will be living a longer, healthier life than they do.

portland runner 30000 wrote:

I got heckled while crossing the street (on a walk signal) today. I was running in the suburbs of Portland. It really ticked me off and affected my entire long run.

That was me. You were running like a Mary.

old guy 68 wrote:

As far as the guy who says he just smiles and waves...you're an effeminate loser. You're not fooling anyone.

That's what makes it so effective.

Do you think the heckler doesn't get infuriated by that response?

Meanwhile you're bragging that you used to bite people.

Keepin it Real wrote:

Molotov Cocktail. Problem solved.

______________________

To the point. I like this

Riley wrote:

Cartwright wrote:

The jerk store called and they're running out of you.

What's the difference? You're their all-time best seller!

I had sex with your wife!

Whoa. Back up.

Nobody gets heckled while running unless they are an elite runner. Heckling suggests that you were in public performing and doing something worthy of the public paying attention to you.

It is like saying some random murder in the U.S. was an "assassination".

You were hounded or taunted while running maybe. Not heckled. Again, unless you are legitimately an elite runner.