What's with the normies who go down to their local HS track just to walk laps?

In addition to everything already posted here, if it's old people walking, the track surface is much easier on the elderly frame/knees than walking on concrete.

Stoppit Smith wrote:

When they are walking around a track, they do not need to know running.

Additionally, they really do not need to know let's run culture.

Unless you are running 14 flat or under which maybe one or two of you are, you are not good enough for the judgment you render.

99% of you.

Clearly you misunderstand the point.

OP is asking why they don't start their workout from their front door instead of actively seeking out the only round oval in the area to walk. Obviously more convenient from your own home.

Hardloper wrote:

Crooked Hillary wrote:

What is a “normie”?

People that don't understand running or LRC culture

I've always just called them "muggles." I'm not a big Harry Potter fanatic, just read the books when I was younger and thought the word was fitting for people who aren't really aware of how our world works as truly dedicated runners.

It's because the treadmills at the gym are already taken by other walkers.

Peter Walker wrote:

There is an obesity epidemic in the states and you blokes complain about people exercising. Get over yourselves. Take to opportunity to encourage people on their walk of life and the time to educate and share wonderful tales of athletes.

Nah its officially annoying as f%^k. Tracks should be the one place you can run very fast and not expect to be tripping over pedestrians or hitting bystanders. If a runner does intervals on a public trail they cannot expect right of way and nor should they but a track should be one place where the runner takes priority. Walkers can literally go *anywhere* else so its very inconsiderate to use a running track to walk around in lane one. Its amazing how unaware most people are of their actions.

WalkAMileInMyShoes wrote:

I'm a (running) parent of a daughter with intractable epilepsy. We walk together at the track because she needs fresh air and exercise, and some weeks are pretty rough. I don't want to walk the adjacent trail loop and risk hauling her out of the woods. Many people choose to walk at a track due to medical conditions. You have NO idea. November is Epilepsy Awareness month, folks. Get educated.

Sure but then do it in lane 8 not lane 1. Why do people walk in lane one???

You don't think safety is an issue because you are probably a dude in your twenties. Elderly woman are frequent targets for assault - and high risks for injury - so walking on paths in the woods, or on sidewalks/roads where every other driver is texting while driving and rolling through stop signs is much less relaxing and safe than just being on a public, closed loop, out in the open track that other people are using. Especially when you hear stories about creeps hanging out in bathrooms, exposing themselves to passersby, or just straight up assaulting runners. Ask any attractive female runner you know and she'll probably tell you some of the creepiest crap that has happened to her when running alone - people following her, taking pictures of her, catcalling, etc. Sucks to be a woman out there. Let them run somewhere safe and get over yourself.

Hardloper wrote:

I've been wondering this forever. Is it more relaxing to walk in repetitive loops? Are the neighborhood sidewalks to hilly or something?

Ok, it is annoying for me too for people to use the local track as a park to walk their dogs (and themselves) or play with their children, but you are acting in the same territorial way that drivers do when they encounter runners on "their" roads. For a lot of people there is a stigma to exercising so when they motivate themselves to exercise they do so in the safety of an athletic environment like a gym or track. I like having some company when doing a workout but have found that children and dogs, and particularly children on bicycles can do unpredictable things and can get hurt or hurt runners when they suddenly veer into lane 1. Most track walkers where I live only last about ten minutes so i just put up with it.

...,.... wrote:

Pedestrians get hit by cars on streets all the time. The rarely get hit on the track.

Instead of asking questions you know the answers to just to complain about the answers, just complain. Takes less time.

I almost got hit by a truck on a track once, no joke. I was finishing up a 25-miler as part of a 100 all-night relay and many fundraising teams had started picking up their tents, etc.

Good Lord. I'm IN lane 8, obviously. I've probably been running since before you were born. I wrote the track etiquette manual, you moran.

First, you people are taking shots at people just because they "are not like you"

In our world the track is used for workouts. That's the small picture. Your vision. not the entire world's vision. Imagine if you are the school board for a local high school. You are telling the general public that has attended a meeting why you need to spend 1 million dollars on a new track and field. Some people ask questions. Questions like " We pay taxes for this school to be built. This facility you are going to build, will we have access to it?" What do you say? I'll tell you what 99.99% of every public high school board of education, principal and superintendent said; "Yes. If there is no school activity, the public is free to use the track if they obey the posted rules" Such as no bicycles, roller blades, dogs, motorized vehicles, etc.

Second, these people do this so they can walk in safety without worrying about traffic. And third, many of them walk a certain amount. Before most had garmins, these "normies" would count laps and that was their mileage.

In short, not everybody exercises. Not everybody runs workouts. And, some people are older and overweight. So what? You feel like you should insult them?

What about the greatest college Track coaches that are overweight? What about some former NFL players that are overweight? What about new moms that want to let their 2 year old play while they push a stroller?

God forbid, some female will allow you to have sex with her, and you become a parent. And then your wife wants to walk on the track with her baby while she is pregnant. Will you harass her? Call her a "normie"?

Are you above normal? Are you better than the former pro football and baseball players that walk the local college track in my town? Should I give them your contact?

sebsarmy wrote:

Peter Walker wrote:

There is an obesity epidemic in the states and you blokes complain about people exercising. Get over yourselves. Take to opportunity to encourage people on their walk of life and the time to educate and share wonderful tales of athletes.

Nah its officially annoying as f%^k. Tracks should be the one place you can run very fast and not expect to be tripping over pedestrians or hitting bystanders. If a runner does intervals on a public trail they cannot expect right of way and nor should they but a track should be one place where the runner takes priority. Walkers can literally go *anywhere* else so its very inconsiderate to use a running track to walk around in lane one. Its amazing how unaware most people are of their actions.

Then take a minute, TALK to your fellow humans, kindly explain what you would like to do on the track and how you require the use of lane 1 and if they could use the outer lanes please, and then get on with your workout. All of you who get pissed at this are passive little whiners who expect everyone to psychically bend to your self-centered whims and get all bent out of shape when they don't understand your passive aggressive little glares or you kicking up some dirt when you gallop by. Talk to them, some might have some great history. One of the walkers at my track was a former Univ of Iowa XC runner visiting from out of town who wanted a well lit place to stretch his legs - turns out, he ran with Rich Ferguson (look him up) back in the 50's, so I got to hear some 3rd hand stories about the Miracle Mile.

456 wrote:

God forbid, some female will allow you to have sex with her, and you become a parent. And then your wife wants to walk on the track with her baby while she is pregnant. Will you harass her? Call her a "normie"?

No, I'd tell her to stay out of lane 1, and to enjoy herself while strolling on the outer lanes. How hard is that? Loser.

TheGreatPlantini wrote:

It's because the treadmills at the gym are already taken by other walkers.

Same as you. Counting laps and timing themselves and trying to improve!

They have walking clubs, too and the old broads compete.

Hardloper wrote:

John Utah wrote:

Old walker ladies don’t have gps, so on a track they obviously have an exact measure if they want to get in two or three miles.

It’s self contained vs city or suburban sidewalks - crossing streets, stoplights, need to plan a route, traffic, dogs, etc.

Everyone has GPS on their smartphones these days brah

You have $hit for brains, brah!

above_average_joe wrote:

there are actually signs on the track that say walkers should use the outer lanes

Written by an idiot with no business making track signs.

Lane 8 only. Ever. It's not just about manners, but safety. The outer lanes are for speedwork, a collision at even mid-d speeds of 25kph can cause serious injury. Avoiding collisions can injure the athlete, particularly sprinters who need some distance to stop.

yes , they use the track for many of the same reasons runners do.

lots of good reasons already posted here, but these are important

-tracks provide smooth, even, bouncy, comfortable surfaces. Nice feel to run or walk on.

-no external interruptions on a track. You can usually just focus in on what you are doing.

-easy to end workout when you want to end it. You can stop and be in your car in a minute or two, not in some remote location. If you want to do one more lap you can.

-you can shed or put on clothing every 400m, and get fluid or food too without carrying it

-safety. No drive by track shootings, no muggers, no harassment.

-it is acceptable to sweat, gasp, grunt, wheeze, etc. on a track. Exercising is acceptable on a track but not so much in a public place like a sidewalk.

most annoying douche on LRC wrote:

Stoppit Smith wrote:

Pardon you?

I never said I dont use a track.

But if people are on the track in lane 1 I go around them.

Just because you have friends here, I wonder who think you are.

You are not a king and everyone has equal rights to be where they want on a track

Get it,learn it and maintain

This guy is rapidly becoming, if not already, the most annoying douche on LRC. And that takes a lot.

+1

I once went to the track, and 2 guys were running like 75 second quarters, IN LANE 1. Oh the humanity.