Of course they don’t owe me anything, just like no one owes them a full Hayward. But wouldn’t the world be a little nicer if we were all a little bit friendlier and would it be more fun to run in front of packed stands?
Get your pace back down under 7 minutes and they'll wave or nod. I was probably going mid-six pace or better on or around the Pre Trail when I was in Eugene and a U of O runner nodded at me, and this happens with college runners here in Florida as well when I am going 7 minute pace or better. The reason is that you're sort of an honorary paisan when you're going a pace in the ballpark of what they're doing, but just a hobby jogger if not, so there's no sense of community left when you're both old and running slowly.
I'll make an addendum. Lived in Eugene late 70's to early 80's. I was good but not great, did workouts with a good 1500 meter dude. Used to see Salazar, Chapa, Centrowitz, Martin, etc doing their usual stuff but I would never have thought there would be an acknowledgement just because I was out there too ,cuz they were doing their thing and were focused.
I can't picture athlete Alberto going out of his way to be friendly. Dick Beardsley he ain't. LOL
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
In any case, I don't really give a sh*t about whether a bunch of 20-year-olds say hi to me, but if they care at all about having fans for their home meets (or money for NIL deals), seems like they might want to act differently. This is just one example of what a terrible job the whole program does with local engagement (ridiculous ticket prices, no large-scale ticket give-aways to local schools, no public engagement from the coaching staff, Hayward permanently closed to the public, etc.)
And you ignore the women’s team because saying hi when passing makes you a creeper?
I grew up in a city in the South. Most of the acknowledgement I got when out running was homophobic insults yelled at me by dumb rednecks because I wore shorts or running tights. Sometimes they honked, swerved at me or threw things at me. Ignoring me would have been preferred. At college in an Appalachian mountains small town, it was no different. I tended to keep my head down and not make eye contact with people. I'm sure some people would have been perfectly nice, but that 1 in 20 who was threatened by me and wanted to threaten me because of it kept me very reserved. Maybe the O team have learned the same lessons I did decades ago.
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
In any case, I don't really give a sh*t about whether a bunch of 20-year-olds say hi to me, but if they care at all about having fans for their home meets (or money for NIL deals), seems like they might want to act differently. This is just one example of what a terrible job the whole program does with local engagement (ridiculous ticket prices, no large-scale ticket give-aways to local schools, no public engagement from the coaching staff, Hayward permanently closed to the public, etc.)
I applaud the OP other than he should have realized the women's team is more likely to care and respond. If you've spent any time on social media you would realize that. The female athletes are exponentially nicer and prone to respond to strangers who comment on their posts. The males somehow brainstorm that it's proper to bicker or ignore.
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
In any case, I don't really give a sh*t about whether a bunch of 20-year-olds say hi to me, but if they care at all about having fans for their home meets (or money for NIL deals), seems like they might want to act differently. This is just one example of what a terrible job the whole program does with local engagement (ridiculous ticket prices, no large-scale ticket give-aways to local schools, no public engagement from the coaching staff, Hayward permanently closed to the public, etc.)
And you ignore the women’s team because saying hi when passing makes you a creeper?
Side-note: it is disarming in a good way when a man runs by and normally smiles, waves or nods. I find it creepy when a man doesn’t and either stares straight ahead or down. Like you’re a non person because you’re female… not normal.
And you ignore the women’s team because saying hi when passing makes you a creeper?
Side-note: it is disarming in a good way when a man runs by and normally smiles, waves or nods. I find it creepy when a man doesn’t and either stares straight ahead or down. Like you’re a non person because you’re female… not normal.
Sadly, men have been conditioned by the dominant culture to severely minimize contact with females they are not related to by blood or marriage. I think this is probably an overreaction, but it’s hard to blame them. I mean, women have all the power in such an interaction. Men have none.
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
In any case, I don't really give a sh*t about whether a bunch of 20-year-olds say hi to me, but if they care at all about having fans for their home meets (or money for NIL deals), seems like they might want to act differently. This is just one example of what a terrible job the whole program does with local engagement (ridiculous ticket prices, no large-scale ticket give-aways to local schools, no public engagement from the coaching staff, Hayward permanently closed to the public, etc.)
And you ignore the women’s team because saying hi when passing makes you a creeper?
I get what he's saying here. I'm assuming women don't want me to say hi to them anytime, whether on a run or at the grocery store. I'm 20years older than them, why would I?
I live west coast though, nobody waves or nods. So maybe it's even more weird.
Generally agree with the OP and I suspect he would agree that there are gray areas. However, fast runners going moderate to easy, should always take the initiative to acknowledge anyone who is battling their limits. That’s the common denominator we all share.
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
In any case, I don't really give a sh*t about whether a bunch of 20-year-olds say hi to me, but if they care at all about having fans for their home meets (or money for NIL deals), seems like they might want to act differently. This is just one example of what a terrible job the whole program does with local engagement (ridiculous ticket prices, no large-scale ticket give-aways to local schools, no public engagement from the coaching staff, Hayward permanently closed to the public, etc.)
Progressives in Oregon who have spent their lives destroying all sense of community wonder why young people don't want to engage in the community.
I cross paths with the UO team on runs around town frequently (S. Eugene is a pretty small place). Rain or shine, as I'm shuffling along at 8 min pace, I give a small nod or a quick hand wave as they go by. I don't think a single runner has ever responded. To be clear, they're on an easy run and I only do this with the men's team, never the women (don't want to be a creeper).
Not sure whether this is because of social awkwardness or snobbery. If the latter, that's absolutely hilarious because my PRs (from 20+ years ago, pre-super shoes) are faster than all but a couple of the current runners on the team.
To be fair, as a long-time runner, and a creature of habit, I wave to near 100% of the runners I encounter, and the number (of all types) who respond in kind must be less than 10%. I wouldn't expect many (if any) younger runners to do it, regardless of how fast they are; just not part of their thought process.
This post was edited 20 seconds after it was posted.