People latching onto your pace and running with you

Not sure about the size of your ego, but you sound like a humble bragger, and are being a jerk in dropping folks who are simply benefiting from drafting behind you, which as a runner you must know is easier compared to running the same pace all by yourself.

When I was a young punk I was running with guys like you and kept up with their "burying pace". Fun stuff.

For reference, I'm talking like I'm bopping along at 8-8:30, and someone is moving along at 10 minute pace. Then they pick it up and match my pace and stay on my shoulder. So I just drop it to 7 minute pace for like, 1 minute. It's not about ego, I swear, I just hate when someone latches on.

Turn around suddenly and berate them with a loud voice. Then scream “gobble gobble” and dash off at a pace that Kipchoge would envy.

Dork Boy used to do this all the time but now he’s too slow to do it.

bilgu wrote:

Not sure about the size of your ego, but you sound like a humble bragger, and are being a jerk in dropping folks who are simply benefiting from drafting behind you, which as a runner you must know is easier compared to running the same pace all by yourself.

Humble bragger? How bout dickweed?

This used to bother me but now I enjoy it. I’ll run with them for a bit, and if they can hang, that’s great. If they drop off, oh well. If they start to drop me after a while, that’s even better.

You are doing this right anyone who disagrees is a Hobby Jogger. This is one of the five cardinal sins of running: Thou Shall Not Shadow.

There is no need to compete with anyone that passes you. They may be running a workout. They may be running shorter. They may have a limited time window to get a run in.

Be a man and stick to the goals of your run.

I can see this being annoying if you are looking for time alone on a run. So, maybe I'm the only one that understands here.

what are the other four?

otter wrote:I can see this being annoying if you are looking for time alone on a run. So, maybe I'm the only one that understands here.

I understand, even though I've on occasion been "the annoying guy" -- maybe a half dozen times during 49 years of running, but most recently just last week.

I live in a rural area, so it's extremely unusual to see another runner. Last week I came up on a young guy running almost exactly the same pace. I ran alongside him for a few minutes, had a nice chat (turns out he's running the same May marathon as I), then I resumed my pace and finished my run.

He may have been annoyed. But for me it was nice to talk to a fellow runner after two years without racing.

Will add my unsolicited perspective: I think of fellow runners as brethren in a small tribe. I like to say or wave a hi to them when I come across one in the opposite direction even if it rarely gets reciprocated in my city. If someone starts tailing me, my reaction is some combination of being mildly flattered and warm and fuzzy to be helping someone. I don’t even see them, just hear their foot steps, so it’s not a bother for me at all, and totally not worth screwing up my planned pace just for the sake of dropping them. I might even slightly prefer running with another’s footsteps behind me to running alone.

does this happen to you? wrote:

Happens more often than I'd like (which would be never).I'm on an easy run, just minding my own business, then I end up catching up to someone else minding their own business. I pass them, and then notice them running on my shoulder. They typically hold on for as long as they can, which is why I've adopted the practice of maintaining my pace for a couple minutes then burying them. I just want to run at my pace WITHOUT a stranger joining me, and I'd assume they'd rather not endure the humiliation and agony of getting dropped. Disclaimer: I'm an average runner and I don't have a huge ego, I just don't like people doing this.What gives?

I don't like it when people come up and follow while I"m running either. You can drop them, which is fine. You could also fight fire with fire, by dropping to 11:00/mi pace, let them pass, then hang on their shoulder for a while, while whispering something annoying and passive aggressive like, "Hurry up, I'm a bear." That might work for you.

This kind of happened to me for the first time in 20+ years of running recently. I entered a path and shortly thereafter I hear footsteps behind me. I didn't turn around, but caught enough glimpse on the turn to know it was a middle aged female. I was running around 7:30ish pace.

I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but she shadowed me for a good 2+ miles. It was very unusual, but it didn't bother me. I think it would have been awkward if she sprinted to pass me and then maintained the pace so that I would be shadowing her. I guess I'm mostly ok if they're running around the same pace, but sprinting to beat someone on an easy run would be annoying.

That’s the good thing about Garmins.

I started in 77 when I had established, measured routes and if you came up on someone a little slower, I’d just go out as wide as I could get and give the slower runner a smile and a wave.

Nowadays, if I see I’m running up on a slower runner, I just turn down another street, turn around and go the other way etc..

It dosent matter because the watch is taking care of adding up the distance

No. At my superior jogging pace of 4:15 per mile none are worthy to run beside me. Peasants.

One time I could not drop the guy, we became friends. I would recommend embracing it.

does this happen to you? wrote:

Happens more often than I'd like (which would be never).I'm on an easy run, just minding my own business, then I end up catching up to someone else minding their own business. I pass them, and then notice them running on my shoulder. They typically hold on for as long as they can, which is why I've adopted the practice of maintaining my pace for a couple minutes then burying them. I just want to run at my pace WITHOUT a stranger joining me, and I'd assume they'd rather not endure the humiliation and agony of getting dropped. Disclaimer: I'm an average runner and I don't have a huge ego, I just don't like people doing this.What gives?

You obviously live in Austin, TX. Happens on Town Lake all the time. I am guilty of this. In my defense, I always (and only) latch onto a hot fast runner chic in spandex shorts.

To respond to a few others:

- The four other Cardinal Sins:

1. Do Not Stand In Lane One

2. Do Not Hammer The First Intervals And Drop Out

3. No Half-Stepping

4. No JV Kicks

- I think it's an appropriate response for either runner (passer or passee) to engage the other and suggest they run together for awhile. In a few instances when I have passed someone at almost the same pace I might slow down a touch and ask how far they are going. If it's only a mile or two in the same direction I'll run along and have a conversation. It beats the awkwardness of a slow pass followed by the shadowing we are discussing.

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