Stupid things people have said

[protodoc]

Don't despair, we're not all like that, I experience this from the opposite viewpoint, patients often ask if I've done anything over the weekend and when I say "Oh, I did a fell run", or "I did the Haworth Hobble" and I tell them how far it was etc I get the usual "You should know better", "Your knees will be shot when you're older" etc etc.
I've given up trying to correct their misconceptions now and just utter a mild chuckle for their benefit.
When I get a fellow runner in it brightens up my day no end and we usually end up having a long chat re races, training etc.

I went to my doctor a few years ago with a hamstring problem, he told me to go home stop running and be a mother and a housewife, the comment didn't sink in until I had left the surgery, needless to say I try and avoid him now

[Erich K]

Non-runners just can't comprehend long distances, they struggle to understand why anyone runs at all - "....what happened, did you miss the bus?" I remember a comment made by Eddie Izzard after completing his breathtaking 43 marathons over 7 weeks - when describing this challenge to people he said he could have told them he'd eaten a car - it was just as inconceivable to them!

[L.F.F.]

People often seem to associate running with weight loss, and only weight loss.

I've had, 'you don't need to lose any weight' once or twice, as if that's the only reason you could ever have to run.

My girlfriend once drew the distinction between runners and joggers, putting me in the latter camp. Fair to say it spurred me on!

[Hes]

Totally agree with you Freckle. I'm often getting told that my knees will be knackered (doesn't help that I keep getting knee injuries but they are impact related) and I say the same thing as you about heart disease, diabetes etc.

It also bugs me that overweight people who talk about their weight and dieting often turn on me and say 'well you're lucky, you don't have to worry'. I don't particularly worry about my weight when I'm running regularly but that's because I get off of my bum and do regular exercise not because I'm miraculously slim. I think you and Stolly prove that if you want to run you'll find a way even when it isn't easy and time is limited.

to be fair i probably bore a lot of people with my enthuasism re running but i do get the odd thinly veiled (and irritating) negative remark like "Oooo I don't know how you find the time" or "you will end up with shot knees"...in reply to the latter i have started to point out that when I am an elderly lady the chances are I will be able to get knee replacements but a heart and lung transplant won't be so easy to arrange! if people are particularly persistent I remind them that my risk factors for dementia, diabetes, heart disease etc are all significantly diminished
....also with the regard to the time issue it isn't always easy for me to get out but it helps that I hardly watch any tv and if one clocked up how many hours some people devote to watching soaps if I did the equivalent in training time i dare say I'd be a lot faster than I am currently !

anyhoo I don't want to come across as a "Smug runner" no more than I want to hear comments from "smug coach potatoes!"...just grateful i enjoy my running and can still do it for now

[Mike T]

I was with my partner when we bumped into a fellow runner - it transpired he had done a 13 miler earlier that day - so naturally I rose to the challenge and went out and did 13.5 miles. My partner described my behaviour as "childish" - thus consigning all sports and much adult behaviour to this category .....

[karen nash]

Most just think we are mad ad don't understand.
I have had very few really negative comments- or ones meant that way
Worst was perhaps on turning 40 "so are you going to grow up and stop all tis daft running in the mountain and mud now" (I do hope not!!!)

Best was 2 years ago on Calderdale Hike- man came out of house/ pub and tried to run with me, after 50m asked how far I had run. When I said about 36 miles he stopped dead and said F*** me (no thanks , he was a lard ball) But at least he was impressed.

[wormstone]

Non-runners just can't comprehend long distances, they struggle to understand why anyone runs at all - "....what happened, did you miss the bus?" I remember a comment made by Eddie Izzard after completing his breathtaking 43 marathons over 7 weeks - when describing this challenge to people he said he could have told them he'd eaten a car - it was just as inconceivable to them!

Yep, I've had the bus one. As in (as I emerge onto Monks Road, between Charlesworth and Hayfield after slogging up Whitley Nab), "You can catch a bus up here you know"....

[RachFR]

During an incident involving mountain rescue at the 2008 OMM, some kindly police officers who were sitting with me asked "So are you going to stick to running in summer now then?"
It did at least make me laugh in an otherwise horrible situation, although they didn't seem to get the joke...

[okmum33]

Oops I started at 40?

Most just think we are mad ad don't understand.
I have had very few really negative comments- or ones meant that way
Worst was perhaps on turning 40 "so are you going to grow up and stop all tis daft running in the mountain and mud now" (I do hope not!!!)

Best was 2 years ago on Calderdale Hike- man came out of house/ pub and tried to run with me, after 50m asked how far I had run. When I said about 36 miles he stopped dead and said F*** me (no thanks , he was a lard ball) But at least he was impressed.

[DrPatrickBarry]

Oops I started at 40?

42 for me!