I've always noticed 'most' people driving tend to speed up while driving when they're passing someone running. This goes for sidewalks too, not just roads going around people. I can hear the acceleration or notice they're going over the speed limit as they get closer and then coast off the gas. This isn't everyone but I do notice it's a majority of people. Am I alone on this?
I always speed up running when I hear a car getting close. Heck, when I run by a ballfield full of people, I'm practically sprinting until I get out of site where I slow to a jog gasping for air.
Yes! This definitely happens.
Often, when out running, especially at a good steady pace, cars will speed up for no apparent practical reason when they go past.
Is it some sort of competitiveness?
Yeah i think there is a competitiveness to it too, wonder if it's just instinctively people try to beat you to a mailbox or light post or whatever. I've always wondered about it and was wondering if it was just me.
Probably doesn't apply to runners (well, definitely doesn't in my case), but I speed up to get around cyclists on windy roads, just to minimize the amount of time I spend in the other lane next to them. Some people will do this very slow, creeping pass trying to be careful but only multiplying the time by 10x that they spend in close proximity to the cyclist and partially in the other lane.
No they slow down next to me because I run barefoot on asphalt at sub 5:45 pace. I've seen a woman just gawping at me not looking where was driving, I was worried she was going to crash!
No they slow down next to me because I run barefoot on asphalt at sub 5:45 pace. I've seen a woman just gawping at me not looking where was driving, I was worried she was going to crash!