I use this as a training technique - no matter how tired I am on a training run my task is to raise a smile and a hearty hello - sometimes I get a nod, sometimes a big smile.
The point for me as a training technique is to prove to myself that I am not as tired as I felt just before the runner/cyclist was heading towards me - it also seems to have a short term benefit on the run itself.
EDIT: PS This is what I try to do - there have been a couple of occasions where my smile has been a grimace and my hearty hello more of a grunt
You don't expect people you pass in the supermarket to greet you (and you probably don't greet them), but you're all shoppers!
A good point, well made.
Being a London runner, my default position is to be on "acknowledgement alert". A cheery wave will make a lot of urbanites think you're either mad or flirting with them, but catching the eye followed by the subtlest of nods is perfectly acceptable.
If they respond, I'll assume that we are now firm running buddies, and accompany them for the rest of their run, step for step, matching every surge and slow-down, chatting the whole way round and periodically trying to get a sing-song going. Once the run is finished, I will let myself into their house, help myself to whatever's in the fridge, and then sleep with their wife/husband/eldery relative.
Why just runners........hwn out I smile and/ or say hello or good morning to everyone I meet whether they are walking their dog or waiting for a bus......I nod at cyclist and smile at runners.....
Why just runners........hwn out I smile and/ or say hello or good morning to everyone I meet whether they are walking their dog or waiting for a bus.......
That makes me think of Crocodile Dundee, when he first arrives in New York!
I also say hello to everyone I cross paths with during a run and the majority of the time I get a positive response. I do it to be friendly and also as a safety measure just in case anything happens to me hopefully someone will remember saying hello to me.
I live in Lincs and London ... When im running in lincs (weekends) you rarly see other runners but when you do i always say Hello swiftly as im plodding by them and always get a response ... but when im in London and running and passing what feels like hundreds of other runners i rarely even get a look let alone hi not through lack of trying!!
I find it depends on the neighbourhood. Some places the runners seem to be friendly and respond to me, others seem to prefer their isolation. My default is to acknowledge everyone but I tend to stop if the response rate is too low.
Comments
Always do, mate.
I always acknowledge other runners and they me - maybe it's more friendly where I live.
Same here, runners always seem to meet and greet, incidentally on trails so do the cyclists
I nod a greeting. Unless they're in their own world with their ipod.
Most of my running and cycling is off road so don't see that many people, but when i do we always acknowledge each other.
The worst score was the group of 12 ladies from the local running club. I only got 1 response back. I was considering joining until then.
It always amazes me how many runners who don't nod or say hello to me...I thought we were in a gang.
I always nod or say hi (Depending how out of breath I am at the time)
I reckon I only get a response back 1/10 times!
This subject comes up quite reguarly.
I do nod, or smile, sometimes say "morning!", but I don't care if they don't respond.
Some people seem to get very upset/annoyed if other runners don't acknowledge them, but I can't see why.
You don't expect people you pass in the supermarket to greet you (and you probably don't greet them), but you're all shoppers!
I use this as a training technique - no matter how tired I am on a training run my task is to raise a smile and a hearty hello - sometimes I get a nod, sometimes a big smile.
The point for me as a training technique is to prove to myself that I am not as tired as I felt just before the runner/cyclist was heading towards me - it also seems to have a short term benefit on the run itself.
EDIT: PS This is what I try to do - there have been a couple of occasions where my smile has been a grimace and my hearty hello more of a grunt
I always acknowledge a fellow runner, starting cycling recently and they are all quite keen on a nod. Doesn't work with swimming mind you.
I've more or less given up. The runners round my way are a miserable bunch of feckers.
I do have a sixth sense for the ones that are going to say "good morning" though and I'm happy to reply if they do.
A good point, well made.
Being a London runner, my default position is to be on "acknowledgement alert". A cheery wave will make a lot of urbanites think you're either mad or flirting with them, but catching the eye followed by the subtlest of nods is perfectly acceptable.
I make eye contact and nod.
If they respond, I'll assume that we are now firm running buddies, and accompany them for the rest of their run, step for step, matching every surge and slow-down, chatting the whole way round and periodically trying to get a sing-song going. Once the run is finished, I will let myself into their house, help myself to whatever's in the fridge, and then sleep with their wife/husband/eldery relative.
If they don't respond I do the same thing.
Top post Dachs
Why just runners........hwn out I smile and/ or say hello or good morning to everyone I meet whether they are walking their dog or waiting for a bus......I nod at cyclist and smile at runners.....
why just the runners.....
I always nod or smile, Stevenage runners seem to be a miserable breed though and it is rarely recipricated.
Always nod greetings ever when on the bike or running. At worst they think your a nutter which I am anyway or at best you've made someone smile.
Perhaps I am strange but I say morning to everyone I see, runner, cyclist dog walker, maybe it is the area, maybe the time I run but most respond -
That makes me think of Crocodile Dundee, when he first arrives in New York!
I think you get more responses the earlier in the morning it is - kind of a solidarity thing at being the only people up that early.
even top athletes like paula radcliffe seem to manage a nod.
I also say hello to everyone I cross paths with during a run and the majority of the time I get a positive response. I do it to be friendly and also as a safety measure just in case anything happens to me hopefully someone will remember saying hello to me.
Boom boom
This, and also horrid weather
I live in Lincs and London ... When im running in lincs (weekends) you rarly see other runners but when you do i always say Hello swiftly as im plodding by them and always get a response ... but when im in London and running and passing what feels like hundreds of other runners i rarely even get a look let alone hi not through lack of trying!!
I find it depends on the neighbourhood. Some places the runners seem to be friendly and respond to me, others seem to prefer their isolation. My default is to acknowledge everyone but I tend to stop if the response rate is too low.
I think partly depends how many people you see. If I acknowledged everyone that would be hundreds of hellos.