I graduated a couple of weeks ago and today attempted a full 5k circuit - two hills involved so it was tough. As I was coming down the home straight a fairly scruffy looking man stopped me and said 'mind if I tell you something helpful?'. I thought he was going to say that I had dropped something or even, very unlikely, that I was running well. At the least I thought it might be something useful about the local area [I have only recently moved here]. NO - he actually said, 'you shouldn't be doing that exercise because it..[and he jumped up and down] hurts your joints..' I cut him off and ran on - but he really deflated me and ruined my feeling of euphoria.
Is he right???? I did 5k in 42 minutes, not bad for a beginner considering there is a very big hill section that I did twice.
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Ucandothis
Graduate
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Thanks. I wish I had said 'And what exercise regime has helped you look so fit and trim?' or 'I can see why you stopped running, it made your teeth loose.' But you never think of the put-down at the time, do you?
Some idiots are best just ignored. A witty retort would be wasted on them, they would'nt be able to understand it anyway. I had my own first bizzare running encounter this morning after my 6am run. Some bloke got out of his BMW X5 and instead of saying "bonjour" or "Salut" as most people would (and most people seem very possitive about running) he said "ça fait du bien courir tôt le matin?" ( meaning : that feels good running early in the morning? ) I responed "Oui, bien sûr!". I cannot be 100% certain, but I believe from his tone, and his body language that he was being sarcastic, and I've never met him before. Also thae fact that he made his comment without saying "Bonjour" or "Salut".
Anyway, it did'nt bother me really, I'd just completed my morning run with a 26m45s 5km personal best, and was still grinning to myself as a result
I have to say that 99% of the people that I meet are very positive about running. The ones against are pretty few and far between. They usually seem pretty unfit as well
I agree with the others...not worth even honouring the remark with an answer, but the old retort, " You know who never says running is really hard on your joints? People who actually run!" shouted as you speed by !
Sadly, we have all had the well meaning anti running advice from various people! It is totally untrue as long as we train sensibly, note how our legs feel on runs and afterwards plus in recovery, ensure we select ground that is not causing impact damage etc. Heart and lungs are so much fitter, confidence grown, mood improved, legs strong and feel amazing at 52 and 32 weeks post graduation and running a 10k once a week plus 2 X 5k! So, please don't doubt yourself.
I ran a bit more than I should have once and my knee was niggly but not injured so I rested for a week and when I ran again, went on soft grass, ran slowly and I am great now. Who are these people, most of them are pretty inactive, often living unhealthy lives and munching cakes. 3 X 30 mins running a week causes "significant health benefits" - I will have some of that at 52!! Julie
There's one born every minute... I just point to may headphones and keep running if anyone tries to talk to me (I'll make exceptions for anyone who is laid out flat on the floor, but that's about it). Clever clogs will probably get his come-uppance when he can't run fast enough to catch the last bus home and has to walk it instead. Believe in Karma, and keep running, kiddo.
I thought I would just post a link to this article. There are loads of others that agree with it. I don't think you need to worry --just enjoy your running.
It is really strange that total strangers think they can approach runners. I would never go up to someone walking in the street and make comments. I think people feel a bit guilty they are not exercising or perhaps some other reason.
How kind of him to offer his advice so freely. If he stops you again say you have to run because your psychiatrist said it would keep any strong psychotic urges under control. Then do a waaaahaaaahaaaa thing and trot off like a dressage pony.
I think everyone has had some "advise" like that, someone told me "if God had meant us to run he wouldn't have given us wheels" There is no evidence as far as I know that running is bad for your joints - as long as you don't roll them while you're actually running.....
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