Stopped on run by a man with a 'helpful' tip.. - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Stopped on run by a man with a 'helpful' tip..

Ucandothis profile image
UcandothisGraduate
24 Replies

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 profile image
Ucandothis
Graduate
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24 Replies
Rignold profile image
Rignold

just this

s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.co...

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply toRignold

actually a bit of this too

cdn.meme.am/instances/64351...

jhwin6 profile image
jhwin6 in reply toRignold

Well said! 🙂

Anto_Now_Runs profile image
Anto_Now_RunsGraduate

Wasn't sure what to say but think Rignold has hit it on the spot!

Ucandothis profile image
UcandothisGraduate

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?

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate

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 :)

Grough profile image
Grough

Plonker

Hmmm think rig has it well covered ! A twat indeed. 

Don't let the doom mongers drag you down, you are doing just great and hills, which are the devil's work, hats off to you :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

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 ! :)

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

I reckon between them Rig and OldFloss have it just about covered. Ignore the doubters, the doom-mongers and the naysayers - they're just jealous!

JoolieB1 profile image
JoolieB1Graduate

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

mfamilias profile image
mfamiliasGraduate

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. 

harveyemm profile image
harveyemmGraduate

Hi there,

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.

everydayhealth.com/news/wha...

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.

But it reflects on them and not you.

Good luck with your running.

Ucandothis profile image
UcandothisGraduate

Thanks everybody.   I shall stop worrying about my joints!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply toUcandothis

That's the spirit. He sounds like a right idiot. You keep on going you're doing great 😊

secan profile image
secanGraduate

Ehm... am I the only one thinking that person, although wrong, might have been trying to give what he actually thought was a good advice?

Of course, I don't know what tone he used but the remark itself doesn't look rude to me.

Rignold profile image
Rignold in reply tosecan

No, no-one has really suggested his intention was to be rude. Ignorant and a twat, but not necessarily rude.

Ucandothis profile image
UcandothisGraduate

I see your point secan, but he was very scruffy and a bit weird to be honest.   And I don't think it was really any of his business!

AndyD profile image
AndyDGraduate

Oooooh my joints hurt..... only joking :-) :-)

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Ha ha Andy ! :-D

Yep I agree U , none of his flippin' business ! :-) xxx

Slookie profile image
SlookieGraduate

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.

goonkeepgoing profile image
goonkeepgoingGraduate

I had a bad knee before I started running. The strength exercises and stretching I've done because of my running have sorted it out ☺☺☺

I'm a living contradiction of that argument!!!

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate

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.....

I'll get me coat...

Zev1963 profile image
Zev1963Graduate in reply toCurlygurly2

Isn't it great when people start telling you what their god wants you to do? ^^

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