While at the gym yesterday, busting through the Sprint / Lift Combo Workout, the man on the treadmill next to me said, “You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?”
I kind of just awkwardly laughed and said yea.
His comment got me thinking about all the things I have had people say/yell/do to me while I’ve been running. Some people like to shout out car windows. Some like to try and start conversations. Some just stare.
Here are a few of the standouts:
- Wanna race? – This is pretty common. The street security guards in Vietnam would start running next to me.
What the guards were normally doing.
- Is something chasing you? – You’re so funny, teenager.
- Wow. Look at all that perspiration! – This was from my grandmother when I got back from a run. So cute!
- What are you training for? – After I finished some repeats, a man I had passed back and forth started chatting.
- You look like a gazelle. – I have long legs and my stride can get a bit lope-y when I’m tired.
- Go Go Gadget legs! – Again, that leg problem of mine. Gadget was actually my nick name in high school because of my legs.
There are plenty more, but that’s all I can remember at the moment!
RQ: What sort of things have people yelled/said/done to you while you’ve been running/working out?
I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
Years ago I actually had a kid yell “run, Forest, run” at me – it made me laugh a lot.
hahaha. He gets credit for yelling something, but loses points for originality.
People say such weird things to runners. Once a guy offered me a cigarette. And the other day, this old man shook his head and said, “If you would’ve left 15 minutes earlier, you coulda just walked.” I thought that was pretty cute.
That’s a valid point. And a cigarette? Really, dude?
When I ran in highschool I got the gazelle or antelope comment all the time.
I dont get that many comments when I’m running, but i’m told I look really mean when i’m working out so maybe thats why.
Maybe that’s for the best?
I have not ever had anything said to me but I have always wanted to drive close to a runner and say “you can do it!” or “way to go!”
That’s so encouraging! Most people don’t yell the nicest things.
I never really had anyone say anything about my running….
except if I run with friends, I get the “I can’t run as fast or far as you” line!
That’s got to make you feel good!