Most annoying hobby-jogger accessory

hobby racer wrote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism_of_small_differences

THIS!!!

I think it is so funny that people think everyone is a hobby jogger but themselves (and those who are faster).

99 percent of the people on Letsrun are hobby joggers. If people on this site were as fast as they claim how come I rarely meet/see anyone like this in real life -- other than actual elites? They're not at the races I go to, they're not at the gyms or the trails I'm on. Unless I go to a very large race with prize money it's hard to find people who run as fast as people on here claim to -- even then it's just a handful of people.

That's why I said what I said.

M.C. Confusing wrote:

ipod guy wrote:

i'm guessing a common answer is going to be running with an ipod. i love to run with music. (waits to get hated on)

Please don't do that. I know a guy that is in a wheelchair for life because he was running with a walkman on (yes this was back in the late 80s). He was on the sidewalk too....got hit by a drunk driver he never heard coming because of the music. He would openly tell you he is paralyzed because of the walkman.

There are volumes that exist at which you can hear cars. If a drunk driver is going to drive on the sidewalk, it's not going to matter whether or not you can hear them coming. If you're not facing traffic and you're on the sidewalk, you're not going to turn around to see if the car approaching you is on the sidewalk.

I-Pod was my first thought. Wearing them has gotten people killed or attacked because they weren't paying enough attention. It also often causes runners in well populated running areas to act rude and aloof.

For those that run 100's of miles in the middle of nowhere - carry on.

Who is claiming to be elite-level fast, as you accuse? I love seeing that attempted smackdown all over LRC: "You're not as fast as you think you are, so shut up" or the self-righteous version: "If only we were as fast as you we'd participate in your juvenile conversations." Where are all these running resumes you seem to think people are whipping out for the proverbial tinkling contests??

Also, if Ryan Hall runs with an ipod, does it qualify as a hobby jogger accessory?

wi|fredo wrote:

Also, if Ryan Hall runs with an ipod, does it qualify as a hobby jogger accessory?

Can I answer that after the trials?

bangalangadanga wrote:

okok... i think we need to drop the following argument.

"unless you run professionally, you're a hobby jogger"

I think to 99% of the LRC posters, running is so much more than a hobby. It works to define who we are.

You can drop that argument, but it is still valid. Your dedication to your hobby does not make it any less so.

Team In Training singlet.

most annoying thing is hydration stuff that is totally out of whack with actual needs based on conditions.

most stupid by far is running with ipod unless of course you are in a risk free vacuum which almost nobody is

and please do not criticize running vests or reflective stuff. if you run at night in heavily populated areas you realize just how little people pay attention to pedestrians, and how generally inattentive drivers have become - just takes one

I'm not "annoyed" at any hobby-jogger accessory.

I AM annoyed at pretentious people, which could describe a hobby jogger, an elite runner, or running snobs who fall somewhere in between a hobby jogger and an elite.

It's real simple to me - just run, do your best, have fun, and don't use running as a way of looking down on other people.

ankle weights

Read the site....there are knuckleheads always talking down people who run times that are very respectable. If you haven't noticed that you don't read much on this site.

laffitup wrote:

99 percent of the people on Letsrun are hobby joggers. If people on this site were as fast as they claim how come I rarely meet/see anyone like this in real life -- other than actual elites? They're not at the races I go to, they're not at the gyms or the trails I'm on. Unless I go to a very large race with prize money it's hard to find people who run as fast as people on here claim to -- even then it's just a handful of people.

People anywhere in the world who speak English can post here, so there could be a lot of those people here even if they are rare at races. That being said, folks need to let people be. There's nothing wrong with being a 30 minute 5k runner.

If some one likes sleeves or vibrams or water bottles and it gets them out running, then more power to them. It's no skin off my nose and it's a heck of a lot better than sitting on your butt in front of the TV.

droopy wrote:

ankle weights

^That's actually a pretty good one.

long live the 70s wrote:

Sweatbands. Why do these hobby joggers think they have to wear those things on their wrists and around their heads? And even in the winter. Seriously. It's almost as bad as those young whippersnappers who wear those girlie short socks. Man up, and wear tube socks.

I have very thin eyebrows and sweat stings my eyes. I wear a sweatband/bandana around my head when it's hot outside so I can still see and run.

Good thread.

I guess it's what I term running relativism that is annoying. Sort of the everyone is a winner concept. That a PR 2:06 half marathon is a bigger better result than a 1:10, non PR. So it's all relative to the runner and no concept of effort, skill, or performance level.