Change my workout to avoid looking creepy or no?

3/10

It would be extremely easy to run in the reverse direction for a few minutes to put some space between you and another runner. I certainly wouldn’t want someone jogging a few paces ahead of me, going my exact same pace — it’s a big neighborhood, and I like my space.

having said that, I don’t think a male runner looks like a pervert in the circumstance you describe.

Either way you choose is acceptable in my book.

My advice to you is to stop thinking because you're clearly overthinking it.

Since you are older (and male), you get to take responsibility for maintaining personal space to avoid making the other person uncomfortable in this case (even if they are being clueless). If the person says, do you mind if I run with you for a while, then it's a different story.

The risk is real. I watched a tiktok video last night that some young woman uploaded, and she was filming a male hobby jogger about 100m behind her claiming he was being a creeper and following her.

*the woman was a jogger too, obviously.

This happens plenty tho. How hard is it to flip directions for a few minutes & carry on? This stuff happens to women often enough that we should recognize it & not add to the problem (even if we don't think we are).

I had something like this happen on a bike path once & I'll never let it happen again. I had an 18 miler with 8 x (2:00 @ ~10k- 5:20ish, easy running to the mile) from 8-16. On the first 2:00 rep I caught a female runner & then got into my easy running. They passed me back. Then I passed them on the next 2:00 rep. Then they sprinted by me (could tell they were booking it) on my the easy part & cursed me out on their way by. I went past them on the 3rd rep & they must have stopped after that because there was a carpark on that rep & I didn't see them again. I don't think I did anything wrong but I felt awful about it once I realized why they went off on me. Clearly they were uncomfortable & thought I was playing games with them or something versus doing my workout. & clearly they've been in similar situations where dudes do try to race them. The miles were probably averaging around 6:15 so they were averaging something around that. It was a nightmare but what can you do. I would change directions if something similar happens again. I just was already deep into a long run & not trying to run more that day & didn't realize what the problem was until it was too late.

Just say out loud that you hope she is doing a long run because you could enjoy the view all day long.

Oh I could've easily been pegged as Uncle Pervy. She's bringing sexy back while I am 5 yards back, breathing heavily, and trying to not notice her significant talents.

Yes, I could've turned around, but I am somewhat of a contrarian that doesn't like to do things I wasn't planning on just for appearance's sake. I didn't cause this, so why should I have to turn around?

As for me being responsible for maintaining personal space bc I am an older male... wtf? You read where she passed me, right? Was I to expect her to ask if I would be fine if she ran just ahead a bit? I'm not getting your young guy take at all.

As someone who used to take running seriously I can look back and say that unless you are on a track(and unless you are a pro with a coach on a bike next to you) just don’t do workouts. It’s weird and it creates situations like this.

That is pretty bad. How did you not consider her point of view. Yikes! I can't imagine being that oblivious. It's people like you that make people like me have to be super (overly) sensitive. lol

The fact you didn't want to alter your workout isn't what makes you a creep, it's the number of times you've commented on her appearance. (And in two separate posts? C'mon, man.) I hope you're a troll, but I know enough men who think this way to suspect you're not.

Her appearance is 100% germane to the topic because otherwise I wouldn't worry about being seen as a creeper (obviously).

I wouldn't say that is awkward.

I used to do intervals on a path which has lots of runners and when some runners saw me pass they would speed up and race me. Some people really hate being passed.

You feel like a creeper because you are when you said she was a “hottie” on your post.

“If a young female passed me while I was doing a tempo run, I would ask for an autograph. She would have to be one of the top pros ever, or a former dude. “ -Typical Letsrun Poster

I feel like what I wrote was pretty reasonable. Not really assigning blame to anyone in my situation. But I think it's fair to say that that runner has had dudes do stuff like this to her. Not trying to add to that intentionally. If a similar situation comes up, I can turn around for a few minutes. No big deal. No reason to go the sensitivity route. It's about trying to be decent to others.

I don't know about this being a troll. I have had similar experiences with a runner on a trail I run on. She doesn't ever pass me but she is a pretty good runner, fast enough that if I end up coming up behind her it takes a little while to actually get past. Once I get within about 30 yards or so, I definitely feel a little creepy, especially if other people are on the trail. At that point, I usually speed up until I get past her and put a little distance between us.

I also have altered workouts when I approach my turn-around point and a female is coming the other way. I am NOT going to turn around right behind a female even if that was my intended turn-around point. A ten-mile run might become a 10.5 or 11 to avoid this..

Why is everyone here so socially awkward??

Normal response should be to alter pace slightly to run with her, flash a smile and say something like “Hey nice pace! I’m doing a workout, have X reps left, want to join?”

This is how to built a running cult in your city, keep making friends with decent runners you meet and do group workouts together.