Today I’m sharing 10 things you DON’T want to say to a runner – and because these always make me feel snarky and annoyed, this post has the bonus feature of providing 10 snarky comebacks to the 10 things a runner hates hearing. I give and give.
I know you runners have heard these gems of wisdom from non-runners on many, many occasions. And I know you love hearing them as much as I do. For all my non-running readers, take this as a ‘what not to say’ list and enjoy being a runner’s favorite non-running friend in the world.
10 Things You DON’T Want to Say to a Runner
The “J” word
You know what I’m talking about. We’re runners, we run, we go running. There is no ‘jogging’ taking place. Even when I’m running slowly, it’s a recovery run, or an easy run. Don’t say the “J” word to a runner, or you can go and jog off.
Running So Much is Bad For You
Oh yeah? Well, sitting so much is killing you.
Image via WorldIslandInfo.com/Flickr
I’m Just Worried About Your Knees
Why? I don’t have arthritis. There are a ton of studies that have been done that prove running doesn’t harm your knees…like this one and this one and this one.
Image via DruBloomfield/Flickr
I Can’t Believe You Ran 13 miles/26 miles!
Point one. Point two. Okay, this one might be a little bit pedantic of me to be annoyed by, but show me a runner who doesn’t reach the 13 mile marker or the 26 mile marker in their half marathon or marathon and know that the next stretch is one of the hardest to get through. Every decimal place counts.
You’re Almost There!
Places it is acceptable for a spectator in a race to say this: When the finish line is clearly in sight of both of the spectator and runner. Places it is infuriating for a spectator to say this: Everywhere else.
I Don’t Have Time to Run Because…I have kids/I have a job/I’m really busy
Yeah, it’s funny, every runner I know is child free, unemployed, with nothing going on in their life.
Image via davejdoe/Flickr
I Don’t Know How You Can Enjoy Running
This is one to which I’ve never known how to respond. Are you saying that you don’t like running? Because that’s okay, I don’t like golfing, but I’m not going to tell you it’s weird that you like it. Are you really saying someone who enjoys running is wrong to do so? Do you just think it looks difficult so there must be no joy in it? No matter the reason behind this statement, it just leaves me confused.
How Did Your 5K Marathon Go?
Well, the first 5 kilometers went great, but then it was weird, they had a big finish line and there were medals being handed out – it was like the race organizers didn’t want us to run the other 37 and change kilometers that would be in the actual marathon distance.
Where Do You Run To?
Ummm, what? Where do you tennis to? Where do you watch TV to? Where do you elliptical to?
Image via UNE Photos/Flickr
Why Do You Race if There’s No Chance of Winning?
Why do you paint if there’s no chance of becoming an award-winning artist? If people only did something that took a lot of training and time and effort and work because they wanted to win, the world would be a very sad and broken place indeed.
Okay, your turn!
Which of these have you heard? What did I miss? Do any of these really annoy you, or are there some that you don’t think are so bad?
The whole, “how do you have time for exercise?” (any exercise, running or other) is what gets me. We make time for our priorities. If exercise is not a priority for you, that’s fine – that’s your business. But you’re not exercising because you don’t have the time.
Jessica recently posted…Getting Back to Normal
If I don’t get a planned workout in, it’s because I let something else take precedence, meaning the workout wasn’t my priority. I’ve met some of the busiest people in the world who regularly work out – if they have time, anyone does.
This is so funny, yet so true. My favorite has to be so how long was that marathon?
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Spirit of My Marathon
Ha ha ha – I’ve heard that one too!! (Sometimes I’m tempted to say, ‘oh, 50 miles’ because I know it’ll have no meaning!) 😉
Oh goodness, all so true. I also love, doesn’t that take too much time? And “I guess you can eat whatever you want” but also “So you eat like super healthfully, right?” And “Do you ever lift? I started lifting and doing Paleo, and now I”m in the best shape ever.”
Well, goody for you. This works for me.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Pavilion Restaurant Chicago Menu Tasting
People seem really confused about what a runner “should” eat, right? Like out-loud saying it to your face confused… I’ve had the “You should try what I do instead” as well.
Hahaha!!! So true!!!
I hate when -during a race- someone tells me ‘just ONE km to go’…when my Garmin in telling me another thing!
And I like the “looking good” although I know it’s not true…!
Sil @ 42alos40 recently posted…2014 Thankful
It’s so unfair that the Garmin is always a little off from the actual course! It always throws me for a loop during the last mile! I like “looking good” too – or “You’ve got this!” anything to give you a little boost is great! 🙂
These things crack me up.
A DR that I’m seeing for a 2nd opinion on my vein disaster from a year and a half ago is funny – he always asks me if I’m one of those runners who looks like they are in pain when they run. He is a large man – clearly not a runner and no desire to run.
Kim recently posted…Back on Track (1/11 – 1/17)
Non-runners just really don’t understand why you would actually enjoy it. My mother asked me once if I run “to get high”. (I think she’d just read about endorphins).
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The worst thing that people say to me is are you still walking? WHAT! I am running. I am training for a half marathon and r u n n i n i n g 25 miles a week. Have you ever ran 25 in your entire life.
It is difficult to simply smile and say yes.
I do intervals…run 2minutes and walk one minute, and I hate when I am doing my walking interval and people say, ” Oh don’t stop! You can do this!” or don’t give up, just keep running!” I’m at mile 11 of 13.1, does it really look like I’ve given up?
I’m training with a run 9, walk 1 interval and I’m worried about that too, that people will not realize I’m SUPPOSED to be walking right now (especially really early on in the race).
That’s when putting your headphones in will help, right? Drown out the spectators’ suggestions during your walk breaks! 😉 But seriously, I totally understand it’s frustrating that not everyone is aware that the walk/run method is so successful.
I actually don’t hate this one: “I Don’t Know How You Can Enjoy Running”
To this, I say “I didn’t know I would too, you’ve got to try C25k”, “I wasn’t running a year ago too. I didn’t even chase my kids if they ran off on me!”
I have gotten a couple of friends to start running 🙂