Pet peeves when it comes to running. Like runners who don't say hello or hog the pavement.
You know what I mean.
While there are random things that do bother me here and there, I do have a particular pet peeve when it comes to races.....
So I'm running in the Old Deer Park 10K. The race has started and we're running along the narrow pavements towards the canal. A mile or so into the race, I'm trying to get into a steady, comfortable pace. Then suddenly I hear it.....loud, pounding, steps and heavy, labored breathing.
Oh no, I think. A giant is loose in Richmond and he's going to run right over us! Yikes! He's getting closer....
Eventually the giant is behind me but of course, it's not a giant. Just another female runner.
Her steps are so loud that they drown out the steps of everyone around me. I'm trying to follow my own footfalls but I can only hear hers and it's throwing off my rhythm.
And while I can relate to her breathing--we've all struggled through tough moments--the sound of it is adding to my own stress. The sound of her labored breathing is so loud and overwhelming it's almost as if I'M the one struggling!
I hope she just quickly moves past me but she doesn't. I have no choice but to push myself a bit to move away. But after a few minutes surrounded by the quieter rhythms of other runners, I hear her coming again! I can't get away!!
AAAAHHHHH!
Not the first time it's happened, and I'm sure not the last.
Am I allowed to ask race organizers to add, along with the usual rules like no headphones, ones that say "No stomping like an elephant" and "Quiet breathing only"?
Perhaps I'm being unreasonable, but it is a pet peeve after all.
Do you have any pet peeves when you race?
Walkers! And not those runners that need walk breaks. I'm talking about those that set out walking from the start and don't heed the announcers instructions to hang back and let the runners start first. I hate when my first mile of running is this massive dodge game around them all!
ReplyDelete@joggingjeans
ReplyDeleteHey JJ,
Oh, that's a good one! So true...it's hard enough dodging other runners sometimes, let alone walkers!
Thanks for reading!
I know exactly what you mean. At parkrun today I was trying my hardest to get past a huffer and huffer but everytime I got close he sped up and criss crossed in front of me. So annoying but I got there eventually!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog! I have some really antsy runs when everything annoys me and a hurrumph my way round. Just hope it burns the hormones off before I get home! If only they could harness it! :-}
ReplyDelete@Jenny
ReplyDeleteHey Jenny! That's one of the things that frustrates me the most about them! You have to use extra effort just to get past or move away from them!
@StaySlimSue
ReplyDeleteAgree! They must be expending a lot of extra energy which could be used more efficiently!
Thanks for reading!