Change my workout to avoid looking creepy or no?

NERunner03533, I was just messing with you by giving you a bit of what would terrify me if some woman said the sort of things about me.

There's been a lot of good advice on this thread - thank you. I probably should have just turned around, but like I mentioned, I was going for it and was probably a touch closer to all-out than tempo.

I'm not sure what you're saying, x6 super senior. Perhaps I should work on my shorter game, but I am not THAT serious anymore. This woman was not heavyset. Perhaps I could have gone around, but then she might just pass me right back. It was a regular urban 10ft path. It ended up that after about a half mile or so, we reached the parking lot where I assume she was parked. I had another 1/4 mile or so to go. I did say something like "nice run" when she stopped, but she just kind of looked confused, but not worried about her safety or anything.

Yes, this post from hannibal was great, but i just want to re-iterate that in my situation, I was not speeding up to keep up with her. She very clearly was just staying in front of me. But, I am sure that these things do happen (like with your wife) which is why I was concerned with the appearance.

When I was around 25 or so I was on a run and saw girl who I thought was an elite runner running up ahead of me (she was moving at a pretty good clip). I sped up to catch up to her and introduced myself and asked if it was ok if I ran with her. She said it would be ok and after talking a little more I found out that she was a local high schooler... Needless to say I soon made up an excuse to leave which was awkward.

Her name was Elise Cranny.

That's just not practical. At the times I run, only have access to a track at the weekend, so I frequently do the time equivalent of 6x1000m or 3x2000m on the road (I use EIM, so I'm often doing four 'workouts' a week).

a what what-y? 👀

This is exactly what makes this post creepy. The fact that you even considered her looks as a factor in your own creepiness implies that you realize you had perverse thoughts following this girl through the neighborhood.

I get that I'm ugly but gee whiz.

I go to my favorite trail to get a workout and this lady with a small to medium sized pooch off leash starts staring at me...three different times. I told her.. WHAT? I'm allowed to be here too. She said what? I repeated.. I'm allowed to be here too... she said I know but...so I went through the grass around her and her dog...as I passed I said...if you're going to act like that, go to another state.

I continued on .... did my workout and went home.

I've learned that ugly people are creepy just breathing... but I've known that since puberty lol

Was feeling empathetic until this. You are something worse than a creeper if you don't realize that EVERY woman regardless of age, ability or appearance has her creeper radar on when running alone. If she didn't lose you it's probably because she judged you by your appearance and figured if you tried to get creepy with her she could drop you like a hot (fat, slow) potato.

You don't have a right read on the situation. This woman passed me and then slowed up to run the same pace. I did not speed up. I am pretty sure she was not trying to get my attention or flirt because 1) I was working pretty hard, and 2) she's a bit younger and very attractive (but, hey, maybe she's into guys with "dad bods"). I am quite certain that she was not concerned about me being a predator because as you suggested she could've just dropped me like a hot (fat, slow) potato or said something. So, your correct statement that every woman keeps up a radar that assesses vibes is not applicable in this case. I was not concerned about appearing to be creeper to her (because she knew what she did and was doing to make this situation). I was concerned about appearing to be a creeper to other people on the trail who could observe me running behind in pretty close proximity or to other people she could potentially tell her story to. If she's a 4 or 5, then people are going to be like "whatever, I don't know". If she's a 9.5 or 10, then people would be much more likely to judge me as a creeper. THAT was the concern.

This happens to me every now and then as well. I'm going in one direction and either someone turns onto the same street going the same direction or there's someone up ahead that I know I'll be passing within a few minutes.

If I can, I'll step down and run in a bike lane to get around them (or hop onto the sidewalk if we're already in a bike lane). If it's a neighborhood street, I'll cross over to the other side when it's safe to do so until I have a chance to get around them and far enough ahead to move back over.

There's a chance they don't know you're still back there. They may think they're still going faster than you after having slowed down to pass.

PS...it comes off more creepy to say you were passed by "a hottie" in a message board post than you may have during the run itself.

Evidently! Not a big deal since this is anonymous, but I am surprised that "Hottie" is seen as a negative slur now. Just a few years ago it was compliment that meant "attractive young person." Suffice to say, I have made the mental note to not use "hottie" anymore.

Seems like describing her as a "smoke show" would go even further back, so it probably isn't allowed either?

Hey neighbor! It turns out we’re both Letsrunners. I’m glad you’re ok bc you were going so hard, I was worried about you! Linked below was my perspective. Thanks for the kind words and see you around on the trail! :)

The internet isn’t real life. Touch grass.

WTHF - Ha! That's actually a believable story about what could've happened.

themanontherun, are you saying that there haven't been "real life" consequences for stuff posted on the fake internet?

I had a similar situation but I simply told the women. Hey, I am doing a workout and it might seem like I am trying to pass you but I am not.

She said thanks for clarifying

It helps that I don't look like a creep, though.

Yeah, no, it’s me. You had a reddish-maroon shirt and black shirts. I wore a blue tank with white lycra biker bottoms. BCtrail 183A. I know I should have picked a better name for myself. See ya!

This just got really awkward! lol.

Thanks for your concern the other day and see you later? This is crazy lol

The insinuation isn’t a man being creepy for finding a woman attractive, it‘s the idea that people walk around categorizing women according to whether you‘d like to bang them.

im not necessarily saying you go through life like that, but that’s not a good quality — to see random females as potential sex fantasies or not. Yick.

Change up your routes often. If you do workouts in the same neighborhood, they might get the wrong idea in their head. I worry about getting kidnapped and held in someone's basement. It could be close to your home and no one would know.