I’m a runner and runners annoy me!

Distance Scholar wrote:

I do my best to talk about my own running and elite level athletics. Most people respond with blank looks as I take them through 10k world record splits, Kipchoge’s brilliant sub 2 marathon, and other astonishing feats. It’s about communicating the excitement of distance running and planting seeds of interest for potential fans. At the very least they will be knowledgeable and able to educate others on the subject.

LOL bravo man, bravo

No it's not just you. I find a lot of runners overly competitive. I was doing a pack run with my running club and running out in front. One of the veteran women was determined to get back to the club before me and purposefully raced me on an uphill 1km stretch. It was stupid and unnecessary. It was probably because I had stepped on her heel but I had apologised. Most recently at parkrun I finished ahead of one of the men and he seemed pretty unhappy about it. The sad thing is I am younger than both of them. I am also a lot taller and leaner; it is obvious I would eventually pass their level. Anyway I haven't run with the club since November and have been enjoying solo runs.

If you don't like to talk about running its either because you dont have an intimate passion for it or the runners you talk with don't have much interesting to say about running . Running talks can get really philosophical if you are deeply into the activity . Try making friends with an Elite runner who is a bit talkative .

You don’t live and breathe it? Fine, it means running doesn’t occupy a high priority in your life, got better things to do and worry about, in other words, you have a life.

Don’t have the latest gadgets and still perform well? That’s what matters brother.

Runners can be very boring, annoying and at the extreme level, obsessive. just take a careful look in these message boards. It speaks by itself.

Enjoy life as you see it fit for you. And ... avoid hanging out with runners with the exception of race days( that includes dating them).

Yes, I feel the same most of the time, welcome to the club.

Good luck! ?

? Thanks! Exactly the way I feel about it.

What's wrong with being competitive? I like to chase people and try to pass them, it is what motivates part of my running. Pack runs are fine if you just want to socialize, I prefer running with people who are closer to my ability. I initially ran to lose weight then I saw the physiques of runners coming in at certain times and said to myself "I want that". It took two hard years but was well worth it. Also saves a lot money, no prescriptions, no vitamins, all normal blood levels, low heart rate and low blood pressure.

By the way I've gotten a lot of compliments from runners that I passed or tried to pass, "thanks for pushing me", "thanks for pulling me along", "thanks for a real workout".

My goal is to run faster, if I'm going to races just to crank out the same times why bother? There were many benefits as well that I didn't expect, our team nominated me as coach, consistent gift certificates for AG wins, free running gear (I thought they only sponsored very high level athletes, apparently not) , never having to pay for a race, and I really enjoy being at that fitness level when it wasn't a chore to run a flat out 5k.

Honestly, the whole problem is a great big nuthin' burger for the price of some cheap earbuds.

I understand what you're saying. If your life seems to revolve around one single activity like running, you are in a sad state. There is SO MUCH more to life than any single hobby. I see some of these running shoe store employees who live and breathe running 24/7 and I think how sad and one dimensional. I know, because I used to be that guy 10 years ago!

Get a real career, find other interests, be interesting and multi-faceted for gods sake. Life is too short. But still run for fun and fitness.

I’m going into my 6th decade of running and as I put my shorts on every morning, I appreciate the solitude of being alone with my own thoughts. I performed at a high level when I was young and was anxious to talk about my performances with others; today when someone asks how fast I ran I really don’t feel the need to talk about it much. It’s just not that important. I think as we get older, we enjoy the simple things like a sunrise, snow-capped mountains, a dog on a trail you can treat or maybe a friend who would like to talk about grandkids.

Running for me will always be important but it certainly is not the center of my life. I’m happy with my memories, my family and my faith. And being a runner has served me well because I’m healthy.

Well, I think you just don't like boring AF people. A lot of people love to talk but have nothing interesting to say. So they just say the same things all the time

My teammates and I definitely don't just talk about running at practice (although I'm glad nobody else listens to our conversations hahaha because they get kind f'd up sometimes)

I've been running for 45 years. The last 30 years the group I run with (it varies between 3-6 of us) rarely talk about running unless it has to do with the local runners who have excelled...Maggie Vessey, Nikki Hiltz, Brent Gotcher, Vanessa Fraser, Nancy Ditz and a few others. We usually talk about politics, movies, music or books. We seldom talk about our own running even though all of us place in our divisions in the local races. Of course we're all so old now that there are usually less than 10 people in any of our divisions.

You have to talk them into doing more miles.

The optimal number of miles being defined by not wanting to hear word 'running' for the day aymore.

I feel this. I don't mind chatting about training but I don't care at all about the pros, Olympic Trials, top end gear, and tons of other stuff involved with elite running. I joined a club team this fall and every single run conversation always comes back to pro running. I miss the HS/college days where we talked about all sorts of stuff, caught up with one another, sh*t in the woods, jumped over trash cans, etc. I have a run tonight and I'm sure it'll be good conversation for 5 minutes before focusing on vaporflys or Jennie Simpson or some crap.

Runners who only talk about running are annoying. But so are co-workers who go to happy hour and only talk shop. And dog owners who only talk about their cute pooches.

The world is full of people who cannot converse outside of their area of obsession. It's like the Asperger nation or something.

I am a person and I can’t stand people. Sounds like you might be similar!!!

Nothing wrong with you. Most self-absorbed, self-promoting runners in these echo-chamber running groups are one-dimensional characters. You're not, so you find them insufferable. Believe me, I get it, it's nauseating.

Maybe you should hang out with people who aren't obsessed with their sport and don't talk about it all the time. Like say... golfers.

That should help you. LOL.