Accidentally scaring people when you run passed them from behind at night

jamin wrote:

I run at night on the weekdays and because of the softer stride I've developed I'm noticing that I startle people when I pass them because they don't hear me coming. Anyone else here have that problem? Last night I squeezed past these high schoolers on a narrow path and they were like "oh my gosh, that scared me."

Yea when I run on the dock at night in the summer people get freaked out and scream or jump out of the way. I try to slow down tho when I get near other ppl. This dude flipped out on me once yo but I just kept going haha (;

I think that was me you passed! Don't know how you can run so fast without a headlamp. My knees were sore and I was just taking it easy from a hard workout the day before. I didn't think it was a race! Maybe you should get an air horn and blast it before you pass by. My hearing is not as good as it used to be. And don't be yelling "walkers to the right", because it was a slow jog

jamin wrote:

I run at night on the weekdays and because of the softer stride I've developed I'm noticing that I startle people when I pass them because they don't hear me coming. Anyone else here have that problem? Last night I squeezed past these high schoolers on a narrow path and they were like "oh my gosh, that scared me."

I simply try to make my presence known as I am approaching them especially at night.

I have coughed or just say "on your left". Even then I will startle someone. Heck I have been hiking on trails and gotten lost in my thoughts and had someone do that to me.

Even then a person walking or running might have headphones on and not hear me.

I usually just clear my throat or cough when I'm ~10 meters behind the passee. That's usually enough to let them know that I'm coming without being obnoxious.

If the person has headphones in or is on the phone, they probably won't hear me, but then I don't really care about surprising you if you're actively avoiding being mindful of your own surroundings.

Don’t worry about. If they’re that unaware of their surroundings, they deserve a scare. If a runner is able to surprise them, they should think about how easily someone with bad intentions could sneak up. Running in DC (much safer than in the past, but still not there yet), and it blows my mind how many people walk home in the dark with headphones in and then freak out when I pass them.

cough cough wrote:

I usually just clear my throat or cough when I'm ~10 meters behind the passee. That's usually enough to let them know that I'm coming without being obnoxious.

If the person has headphones in or is on the phone, they probably won't hear me, but then I don't really care about surprising you if you're actively avoiding being mindful of your own surroundings.

I either do the fake cough or say hello as i come up on them. I try to pick the distance and volume just right so they'll hear me but not jump. Its quite the challenge and I quite enjoy doing it.

R1200 wrote:

cough cough wrote:

I usually just clear my throat or cough when I'm ~10 meters behind the passee. That's usually enough to let them know that I'm coming without being obnoxious.

If the person has headphones in or is on the phone, they probably won't hear me, but then I don't really care about surprising you if you're actively avoiding being mindful of your own surroundings.

I either do the fake cough or say hello as i come up on them. I try to pick the distance and volume just right so they'll hear me but not jump. Its quite the challenge and I quite enjoy doing it.

I will do the cough or, more time than not, give a 'on your left'. Even doing that some folks still get startled so it is definitely a fine line between giving a warning and scaring someone anyway.

I fire a gun in the air to be absolutely sure that they hear me coming. For some reason, a lot of people still get scared even with this.

HAHA! the other day I was running at night and this big tough guy with a fine beard was texting and didn't see me as I ran towards me (he was facing me) and he jumped when I ran by him! it was the funniest thing!

I laugh like a maniac. They always clear out of the way.

Yell "TRACK"

Works every time

Start screaming "STRAVA! SEGMENT! SEGMENT! STRAVA!!!". People are very understanding of that. You never know, maybe someone will see you on the flyby and reach out to be your friend.

Luv2Run wrote:

Even then a person walking or running might have headphones on and not hear me.

Anyone who gets startled because they're wearing headphones deserves it.

I'll either kind of drag one foot a little to make more noise or give a "coming up on your left." Rarely an issue if I do either of those.

I will say that it's amazing how many people will actually step to their left when you call out "coming up on your left!" I do it from fairly far away so hat I have time to adjust to this move.

Smoove wrote:

I'll either kind of drag one foot a little to make more noise or give a "coming up on your left." Rarely an issue if I do either of those.

I will say that it's amazing how many people will actually step to their left when you call out "coming up on your left!" I do it from fairly far away so hat I have time to adjust to this move.

This. I’m a big fan of dragging my feet or scuffling around a bit.

On a side note, this is such a Jamin thread.

One of my favorite pastimes.

Luv2Run wrote:

jamin wrote:

I run at night on the weekdays and because of the softer stride I've developed I'm noticing that I startle people when I pass them because they don't hear me coming. Anyone else here have that problem? Last night I squeezed past these high schoolers on a narrow path and they were like "oh my gosh, that scared me."

I simply try to make my presence known as I am approaching them especially at night.

I have coughed or just say "on your left". Even then I will startle someone. Heck I have been hiking on trails and gotten lost in my thoughts and had someone do that to me.

Even then a person walking or running might have headphones on and not hear me.

I prefer startling someone 50 ft behind them rather than the moment i pass, too.

Macdaddy wrote:

Smoove wrote:

I'll either kind of drag one foot a little to make more noise or give a "coming up on your left." Rarely an issue if I do either of those.

I will say that it's amazing how many people will actually step to their left when you call out "coming up on your left!" I do it from fairly far away so hat I have time to adjust to this move.

This. I’m a big fan of dragging my feet or scuffling around a bit.

On a side note, this is such a Jamin thread.

Yeah, leave it to jamin to not know how to interact with people even when out for a hobbyjog