Another reason to run without headphones
Maybe (?) I’m a bit crazy, but whenever I see someone else running in my neighborhood, I want to chase after them and say “BE MY RUNNING FRIEND!”
But, alas. I am usually sitting at my desk, looking out the window when I see them. It would be strange to chase after someone when I don’t have my running clothes on, right?
Heh heh heh. How about when I do have my running clothes on?!
This morning, I saw someone else running in my neighborhood. Understand, this doesn’t happen very often, as I run early in the morning. I was super excited, and told myself if I caught this person I would introduce myself and ask to be running friends.
Um. Here’s what went down.
I catch up to them, say “Good Morning!” and they shriek and jump. Sigh. She had headphones on and didn’t hear me. Oops. She said, “I guess my music is on too loud.” I responded with “Sorry to scare you! How is your run going?” She didn’t respond so I kept running.
Then I thought it was a fail.
BUT! Shortly after I freaked her out, I ended my run at my house. And! She stopped and said hello! She said she sees me all the time when she is dropping her kids off at school and that I seem really fast. I asked if she wanted to run together sometime. She said yes, but kept saying how slow she is. Sigh. Peeps, quit saying how slow you are. I don’t care what pace I run. I got her number and plan to call her this weekend to set something up. Yay!
Would you ever stop a runner in your neighborhood to ask them if they want to run together?
It may seem odd for city people, since you probably see lots of runners, but I don’t see a lot in my hood!
Think we’ll actually end up running together?
She ran her first half in November and is training for another! Exciting!
Themocracy
I think you will have a run date
Yay potential neighborhood running friend!
I’ve gotten in the habit of saying hi to fellow runners and being generally friendly, but I don’t know if I’d approach another runner. BUT! I did swap digits with a gal at my gym the other day in hopes of running together. She’s in a few of my classes, and we were talking about running. She asked if I was running the neighborhood 5k next month (which of course I am) and told me she’s just getting back into running after having a baby. So I invited her to run with me before class sometime if she wants. And she did totally say “Oh, I’m really slow!” Like a 10:00 pace 🙂
But you’re right, people should probably stop telling you they’re slow. I guess I always want to warn people, because like what if they need to do speed work or train at their faster pace, and I’ll slow them down? I’m glad you don’t mind a slower run with me!
Yay! I hope you two hook up. That would be so cool to have a running and gym bud in your hood!
I guess rather than say “I’m slow,” I wish I would hear, “xx:xx is my typical pace, does that work for you?” At the same time though, someone shouldn’t expect to make someone they are just starting to run with do speed work with them!
And you know I love running with you 🙂
Well, that is how I asked my friend in Ohio if he wanted to do a running date a few weeks back, so apparently I don’t beat up my running to someone I’ve known for half my life. But I think those negative comments I heard from one friend at my 5k last year really burned me, so I don’t know, I don’t want anyone to think I think my pace is fast or something? Better for me to point out that I’m slow than for them to potentially say it (but really, who would come out and say that?)? Blah. I like your phrasing suggestion, and will definitely keep it in mind 🙂
Oh gosh! Yes! That would have me bummed out for a long time too. It makes me so angry when people pace-judge. 🙁
I once stopped someone in the gym who I know runs and set up a running date:) it is great to have company, worth running slower for:)
Awesome!
I loved reading this this morning! I’m glad she stopped and said hello! I do see a faster woman runner in our hood sometimes and I’m slow(er) and do a run/walk so I don’t think that appeals to many. When I see the hot guy running in our hood I really don’t say much. LOL!!
Ha ha ha. I am not sure what Steven would’ve thought if I told him this story was about approaching a guy. Hmm. I am not even sure if I would. Interesting!
I’m kind of shy when it comes to making new running friends. I have never tried to befriend anyone running in my neighborhood. I even went to a low-key race by myself before and struggled to talk to anyone. Fail.
That doesn’t sound like a fail to me! Unless you wanted to talk to people/make new friends at the race? I think I have gone to races solo and just done my thing 🙂
I sure hope it works out! How cool!
When I’m bicycling, I ring my bell and yell if they don’t hear that, but I always feel bad when I scare people (sidewalk or road side) but it’s always because they’ve got headphones on. I see many people with just one ear in so that they’re safer. I just wonder how loud they’ve got it.
I’m glad you made a new running friend 🙂
Yay! That’s a very cool story. 🙂
I get really excited when I see other runners. I really want to be a part of a great running group but I am mostly a solo runner. I can’t seem to find other people close by who want to run as early as do. Boo. I think that is great that you actually talked to her!
When I read your blog I think it’s a shame you and I do not live closer since we both run so darn early 😉
I tried running with my future sister-in-law but she says the same thing, I’m too fast, she’s too slow, blah blah blah. I even tried running a race with her just last weekend, she got her husband to sign up instead and then he left her in the middle of the race. I wouldn’t have left her! 🙂
Aww man! Was she upset he left her?!
Oh yea totally! He wanted to beat his time of the previous years race (that he ran with me) and he missed it by 2 minutes. But I ran the last .1 with her so that counts a little!
OHMYGOODNESS! I love you! I have secret fantasies of running into (quite literally) a new running friend but have yet to do so. I almost turned around on a 5 a.m. run to hunt down a lady I passed but thought it unwise. And, shockingly, I have yet to discover other people running in my basement this winter. I keep thinking of posting on the track club FB page but they can be very clique-y.
OMG. Your basement comment. Seriously LOLing 🙂
I think I need to hear more about your track club FB page. Is it more of a club focused on speedwork drills than camaraderie?
I love this 🙂
You remind me of the dog from the movie “UP.” hehe
I would never make the first move on someone. I’m old fashioned haha
Ha ha ha! Yes! I am eager! I am assuming that is the comparison you meant…?! 😛
What a great experience! When I run up to women and ask them to be my running buddy, I don’t experience much success. 😀
LOL!
How exciting!!!
I wish I had enough nerve to ask people to run with me!! I almost did last year when I saw this lady at the same time every weekend, but when I finally got the courage up to ask, I never saw her again!! *sigh*
Sounds like you’ll have another running partner soon!! YAY!
So funny that you scared her! I’m glad you were able to hook up. I think people are often insecure about running w/ others for the first time, especially if they think they’re slow. Hope you have a running date soon!
I am glad to! I will report back if we hook up 🙂
Thanks for the comment! Off to check out your blog! 🙂
Yes, this is definitely something I would do! Harrison even says I have a special “gallop” I do when I am chasing down strangers to ask them a question (usually to pet their French bulldog). If I see a woman running who looks about my age/speed, I definitely think about chasing her down to ask if she wants to be running friends.
I don’t think I would have the nerve to stop someone and suggest they run with me. Running partners are hard to find, I am always worried I will be slowing them down. I know, I know, don’t say that – but some people do care how fast they run and it is hard to tell who is just being polite. I miss having a running partner so much.
I hope you do find someone that is not mean and worried about being “slowed down”!
I very rarely see other runners in my neighborhood. So when I do, I’m like (in my head) OMG ANOTHER RUNNER!!! WHAT’S UP SISTER? (or … “dude”). I have yet to do more than just give a wave and say hi though. Usually we’re going in opposite directions and I’m a wuss.
Yay for a new running buddy! I am definitely one that gets nervous about running with people because I worry that I will be dragging them down. Plus, I like to do a run/walk and a lot of people don’t enjoy the constant stopping and starting. But it is always great to have someone to talk to – it does make the miles go by quickly!
That was such a hilarious post. I snickered to myself as I read it… 🙂 I was totally approached like that by a marathon runner in my neighborhood- she said they have a group that runs on Sunday mornings at a nearby nature preserve and invited me but I have never been able to wake myself up that early!! I think it’s funny but equally awesome- it’s so nice to be included by a fellow runner!
That is awesome that she approached you!
We should totally go to that group together some Sunday. In 2014. I think we have openings then? Sigh 😉
I have scared many a person coming up behind them while they were walking and I was running on the road. Opps. Most didn’t have headphones but I don’t make much noise while running I guess. Glad you found a running buddy – there are no other runners really in my area. A few walkers.
When I ran in my old neighborhood I startled people all the time while running. Most were just walking places, though, so I wasn’t going to find a running buddy 🙂 I don’t think I would just randomly stop and chat with someone while running, though. Although a guy in our running club did that to another guy and the second guy ended up joining and being totally awesome!