Distractions

[First-time-run]

hi everyone,

Ive just started week 8...well i tried last week but i keep getting into situations where I need to stop for example, dogs, horses and people stopping me to talk. Any advice or do i just need to put up with it? I don't want to come across rude to anyone while im running but its halting my progress. Help 🙈

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

Oh, that sounds annoying! A couple ideas that just came as I was reading your post: (1) Change your route (some places are magnets for dog walkers, for example) and (2) You could even test your pace by saying to the person who wants to chat "I'll catch up with you after my run, okay?"

This happened to me yesterday, too, and I just smiled at the person and kept moving, hoping she'd understand... (Which reminds me... I did want to send her a note...)

[First-time-run in reply to ChannelRunner2]

thanks for your ideas. Where i run is a nature reserve so there are always dog walkers but it is a lovely route. 🙂

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to First-time-run]

Maybe try different times... I've noticed that there are more dog walkers out at 8 am then there are at 7 am, for example... In the evening, it's similar... Of course that also requires flexibility on the times you can run, so it might not be an option for you!

[First-time-run in reply to ChannelRunner2]

I'll try and keep note at what times I'm seeing them. Thanks 😊

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Headphones are your friend! If I see someone I know, I do an enthusiastic wave and smile then just keep going unless I want to stop and chat. I tend to just overtake dog walkers and horses. They seem to be used to that happening.

If I’ve got to stop to cross a road (or for traffic), I’ll just jog on the spot. Different routes could definitely be worth trying.

[First-time-run in reply to MissUnderstanding]

if i run past dogs I'm always the one that gets chased 🙈

[Dendev75 Graduate in reply to First-time-run]

I agree with Missunderstanding - I wear earphones so there’s no way I’m stopping to talk to anyone - I give a thumbs up or big smile then continue on my merry way ☺️

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I haven’t often seen anyone who knows me on a run but when I did I just smiled and said something lik, got to keep going, nice to see you

[First-time-run in reply to SueAppleRun]

thanks 👍

[VWBW Graduate]

That does sound frustrating but I agree with what others have said, headphones are definitely the way to go…….If I see a friend or neighbour who I might be expected to chat with then I do a bit of an eye roll, smile , thumbs up and call out something a bit self deprecating like “ hi there, I’d love to stop but I’d never get started again!” , or “ Its doesn’t get any easier does it?” I’ve even been known to call out “ Can’t stop, I’m on week 8 of C25K only 10 mins to go !!”( or whatever) which kind of implies you need to just keep plodding on and not stop . I think people are generally pretty understanding, but I do know what you mean, I see the same people too a lot of the time . Good luck, I’m sure you’ll have week 8 under your belt soon. 😀

[First-time-run in reply to VWBW]

thanks 😊

[Kirst13 Graduate]

My neighbour asked me if her husband had done something to offend me. I was puzzled until she added that I'd left my daughter to chat while I carried on walking. Then I realised it was during a walking section on C25k and my daughter obviously hadn't explained that🤣 so I wish I'd had the advice above.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate in reply to Kirst13]

I love this! I remember having quite a few awkward situations when the running sections would end just as I met a random pedestrian and it would look like I’d stopped to chat to them! The unexpected difficulties of c25k!!!

[First-time-run in reply to Kirst13]

oh dear🙈

[Liono Graduate]

I used to jog on the spot and briefly explain that I was following a programme and couldn't stop to chat, before continuing on my way. I had to give someone directions once, which was interesting! It's a good way to test if you can speak a whole sentence and therefore if your pace is ok 😂

[First-time-run in reply to Liono]

thanks for the advice 👍