I am not a fast runner - not by any definition of the word fast. It is very rare that I overtake anyone else but quite often I will be the one being overtaken.
I don't mind that - it's nice to see someone else running alongside me briefly enjoying what I am enjoying.
Yesterday was a little different - I got passed by a small child on a pink bike! But it was lovely, she passed me and moments later so did (I presume) her Mum running just a bit faster than me.
It was lovely to watch them in front of me moving forward together enjoying one another's company and being outside together. It gave me a real smile that lasted well into the distance where they had gone.
I wonder who was working hardest Mum trying to keep a slow pace (which I know can be difficult for faster runners to do) or daughter trying to pedal to keep ahead of Mum just by that little bit.
So I hope you enjoy your running today and that you too get passed or do the passing of something or someone that brings you as big a smile as I had.
Written by
Richard7
Graduate10
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Love this Richard. I know that sight and it does make you smile. On a few occasions a little one has seen me running and they then decide they should try it out and see if they can go faster than me.
But more often, on our promenade there is a pattern in the paving stones and the little ones like to follow it on bike or scooter. We have to work out which side they will be by the time we reach them.
I know that dance - to the left to the right - which way will they go - but for me it is dogs as the route I use most tends to be quite popular with dog walkers. When I am passing people with dogs for this reason I always use the opposite side to the dog to give them plenty of room 😃
I'm often passed and sometimes pass slower people. I'll always acknowledge the other runner. If I pass someone I'll usually give them a thumbs up.
My usual pace is 5mins-6mins/km, slower for longer runs, which puts me in the middle. Experienced runners leave me in the dust, but I'm faster than some folks.
Little kids do run quickly, but they don't have much stamina.
I think that's why she was on the pink bike 😀 - but I know what you mean I have had that sometimes when kids see me running past and like to see if they can beat me - which of course they can!!
I started the C25K as a way of getting fitter because keeping up with the young ones was getting difficult. When they were on foot it was tiring, when on bikes it was scary.
Since then my running has vastly improved, but so has their bike riding skills (although maybe not as much as they think).
When they start to try to break the land speed record down the hill in the park, I think I could overtake Usain Bolt trying to get to them before they get to the nasty bend at the bottom of the hill.
Out for a run with the kids on bikes is not as relaxing as you may think.
I'm usually getting overtaken, but in the 2 events I did before injury, I got overtaken by loads and loads of people, but then as I was getting nearer the end, I started overtaking the people that had gone out too fast and were now walking, so I'll never be first, but I might not be last
That’s wonderful Richard! I expect the little daughter was working especially hard. 🥰
I don’t mind being passed one jot. In fact, like you, I enjoy watching gazelles in action. My only shameful moment was when I was running in an elephant onesie at our PR’s first birthday a few years ago, almost expiring from the heat - and I was overtaken by 2 gigantic inflatable chickens being worn by the Vegan Runners! 😩🤣 Or, slightly different, but my dog *walking* next to me when I first began running up hills. 🤦♀️ I can smile about it now! 🤣
I love that. I very rarely see anyone, as I run on rural roads. Occasionally someone passes in the opposite direction with a smile and a nod. I once was passed by a guy who I saw coming as I came out turning. I tried so hard to go faster but eventually he passed with a “ that’s a good pace”. As he sailed on past I slowed with a sigh or pant of relief.
I rarely do the overtaking but when someone comes towards me I always acknowledge. If it looks like they are struggling I want to give words of encouragement but am always worried it might be taken condescendingly. In the end I normally just say hi and give a thumbs up!!
Good post from you Richard7, that was lovely seeing the little girl on her bike with mum running following her daughter.
Since I started running I have not passed many runners, like you I have been passed by a few, not many, but especially runners who are running at sub 30 minute 5K pace, most say 'hi' to me as I pass, nice of them, IF I do pass any I usually say 'good morning' sometimes they reply back.
I was once out a brisk walk and actually passed a runner, she must have been running at a 1 hour 5K pace as I was walking at my usual 55 minutes 5K pace, as I passed her she was huffing and puffing, I said good morning, she didn't say anything but I really wonder if she was enjoying her run.
I bet she was enjoying it - getting it done is so powerful a motivation and a great feeling afterwards. I suspect many of us struggle on our runs but who doesn't feel good at the end of it.
I regret starting running in my 50s instead of 40s or 30s or 20s!! But I hope to make up for it into my 60s and 70s and hopefully beyond that too, if that means going slower I will take it!!
If I compare running with cycling which I have been doing since the age of 7, if I had started running in my early 40's, not early 70's I think I would be running sub 30 minute 5K's regularly, when I am now out cycling, usually only once a week, I am now passed by many cyclists, when I was in my 40's it was me who passed many cyclists, as you get older, you get slower, no matter which sport.
Alan - I have seen your posts on here many times but only today looked at your profile - I think the picture of you with your beard got the better of me 😉 you give me hope for my own running longevity 😀
I have now had my beard for 6 years, mixed feelings about it in my family, my sister doesn't like it but my daughter does, I have always wanted to grow a beard, my parents would not allow me to grow a beard as they did not want a 'hippy son', my late wife who died of early dementia at 61 when I was 63 did not allow me either because it was too rough but at 69 I decided to grow one and have had it ever since.
You rebel 😉 ... I should add I grew a mini beard (compared to yours) during lockdown #1 but removed it earlier this year! I just couldn't get on with it!
The first two weeks are the worst, that rough "homeless guy look" goes after about 2/3 weeks depending on the quickness of the growth you have, after that your beard getssmoother.
I loved this Richard7! I seldom pass anyone and am regularly passed by fast walkers but I no longer worry about it! Normally I’ll make a remark and we’ll have a brief chat before they steam on by! As Dexy says, we have to watch the littl’uns as they run round the patterns in the prom (well, it’s their law isn’t it😆). It’s the dogs that are the problem, well maybe not the dogs but the human attached to the other end of a long thin piece of string that you can’t see until you fall over it - why can’t they shorten it a bit! Happy slow running to all we slow coaches!
We’ll, I am definitely a slow jogger and am frequently overtaken…. I usually try and make myself feel better by muttering under my breath ‘ they are at least 20 years younger than you’ …. It is lovely when the runner is coming towards me with a smile though.
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