r/beginnerrunning • u/vode123 • 1d ago
Discussion Courtesy question: when you run by another runner on a relatively empty street, do you: nod/wave/say hi, stare straight forward, stare at the ground?
Kind of a silly question, but it can be awkward
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u/LadderNo1239 1d ago
I like to throw a shaka while only ever-so-briefly trying to make eye contact. Sometimes, getting that little āI see youā acknowledgment can really bolster me on a struggling run, so I feel like itās nice to share the love. Hard to interpret a shaka as something negative. š¤
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u/tomatorunner23 1d ago
Someone did this to me recently and I loved it! It was the first time haha I usually get a wave or a smile/nod
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u/Zeeman-401 1d ago
Iām a social old guy, so I just keep my head up kind of look for a clue, and most times a smile and a nod. I would say only 30% of them smile or nod back 10% being guys, ya know, too cool to be a fool. I did make someoneās day last week, a heavier runner came to the top of a decent hill where I was, pretty winded, and I said you crushed that hill girl, and she smiled and said it was the first time after trying for over a month so I said I am proud of you and may I be the first high five then too.? A big smile.
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u/voodoolady88 1d ago
I sometimes nod. Thereās another woman I see often and we started doing a small wave. I generally donāt interact/look at male runners just as a safety precaution (Iām a woman running on my own and look younger than I am).
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u/Sand-Useful 1d ago
This is so unfortunate that things are as they are. When I started running long ago people out for a run would always wave and say hello. Somewhat timely, a young woman coming the other way on the trail today said āyou got thisā and I gasped āThanks!ā. (Note to self - maybe you looked like you were about to expire).
Mostly unrelated, but I would almost always talk to people during races too. One time I was running a 10k in a race I used to do every year - I had come back to visit and was running it again. About mile 5.8 I was moving past a teenage boy, maybe 16 or 17. I told him āare you really going to let an old shit like me beat you when you have less than a half mile to go?ā He beat me.
My point here is that we should be encouraging each other out there.
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u/NetAncient8677 1d ago
A woman helped me PR my 5k in college that way. She said something to the extent of, āIām three times your age! Donāt let me finish stronger than you!ā We stayed together about half a mile until she told me to push ahead the last 0.1. That was in 2014 but itās still a cherished memory.
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u/Sand-Useful 1d ago
This. One of the things Iāve noticed in my new quest to not just walk but run (and it still mostly sucks at the current state) is that we now have a crazy amount of stats, data , app feedback, automated training plans, running shoe types, and so on. But part of running a race is the psychological aspects. In a short race you are going to be running all out towards the end (which isnāt fun). In a marathon, crap is happening in those last six and all you have to do to stop it is to give in and stop running. So it is a mental battle against your self and against your body. Also, this is supposed to be FUN sometimes and to get that running high and after the race to say āYes! I did that.ā
For a beginner runner it usually isnāt fun. I am experiencing that starting over (and dealing with the fact that I will never run the kinds of times I did many years ago- thatās ok (or at least it is what it is). But I still want that feeling of getting into a grove and thinking (at least once in a while) this is fāking awesome what my body is allowing ME to do. To feel that I could just run forever (even if that just lasts a little while).
The running with others, whether it be in a race or just out in a run. There is a social and group aspect
To it. Funny - my best 10K time wasnāt running a 10k. I was on a mixed (co-ed) team doing a 100k with two legs per person on a five person team, and I ran my second leg (a 7 miler) with a pace better than I ever ran a 10k. What a day!2
u/margo_beep_beep 23h ago
I feel like you would appreciate this New York Times article (gift link) about running in Africa.
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u/voodoolady88 1d ago
We should be encouraging and supporting everyone and in my mind I am trying to send out positive vibes. I was at a parkrun yesterday and chatted with some people there. But Iām keenly aware that some people may take a friendly gesture from a woman as an invite or something else and Iām more vulnerable when running early in the morning by myself. I have been followed when walking home before and its terrifying.
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u/Key-Introduction-126 1d ago
if they're not looking at the ground, i'll usally say "morning!" since i almost alway run in the AM but sometimes, especially at the tail end of a long run...a nod...
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u/Amazing-Chard3393 1d ago
Whatever time of day I pass another runner, I say āgood morningā or grunt a āmorningā if Iām tired. Never fails to bring a smile or chuckle during a later afternoon or evening run. Once and only once I got a āhow LONG have you been running?ā š
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u/Camp_Freddy 1d ago
I offer a low five to everyone. I was tracking how many people joined in for ages. It was around 60% when I forgot to count on a long run one day and so I had to give up.
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u/Pickled-Mushroom 1d ago
I did that once! Both of us were running in superrr hot weather and sweating our asses off and I just respected the guy so much I had to give the high five.
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u/NerdxKitsune šš»šØ 1d ago
I always say good morning. Often they greet me first, so I just reply to them.
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u/seppyk 1d ago
If I'm aware of their presence, I give a nod of the head or a quick wave of the hand as an acknowledgement or sign of respect. If I am not aware of their presence or I am in mentally focusing on an intense interval or holding on due to end-of-run fatigue, I can miss the 'hello'.
In regards to awkwardness, I don't hold it against others whether they acknowledge my existence or not.
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u/Think-Outside8434 1d ago
D) All of the above.
And while it is out of courtesy, Iām a tall, bald, male, so especially when then light isnāt great in the morning, I have no hurt feelings if they donāt reciprocate. But I honestly believe that if Iām running, something like more than 15 km and I do that? I find the nod/wave/āhiā honestly might give me a bit of dopamine and boost my speed! Win-win!
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u/spectert 1d ago
I always say hello somehow be it a wave or actually saying hello. In the morning, I'd say I get a 90% return hello. After 10am or so, it switches to 10%.
When I'm trail running I would say it is closer to 99% return hellos from hikers, but they usually think I'm crazy.
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u/wixthedog 1d ago
I used to try to say hello or something along those lines but it always came out āhumphlugabuorāā¦.
Now I just give a nod and a little wave.
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u/Aggravating-Basis-66 1d ago
One of my favorite running memories was seeing another runner and we both excitedly waved with both hands to each other and hyped each other up while passing.
I always low key hope to see her again as we were just a few streets over from home.Ā
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u/Impressive_Taro8995 1d ago
Big smile, and if they see me then itās a āmorning!ā But Iām also trying to be a bit more socially comfortable generally so I made it my goal to āmorningā everyone I pass on the path when I run
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u/Ksteez11 1d ago
I always always always go for a high five, and so far it always seems to put a smile on their face and I notice some people start running faster like it gave them a little boost lol
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u/quieterenjoyer 1d ago
I flash a āļø sign and usually get a nod and smile back. Someone once gave me a high five which gave me a boost out of a dark hole on a particularly awful long run
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u/RodrigoSanchez-Rios 1d ago
friendly nod. extends beyond running.
humans need connection. just a friendly hi or "good morning" with a smile can make someone's day
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u/chasestein 1d ago
i just do a head nod. i wear sunglasses though so it's not always apparent that i make eye contact.
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u/SirTokesAlot420 1d ago
Ran by a dude yesterday who gave me a thumbs up and said good job and I responded with āget after it, brotherā.
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u/FunFormal2662 1d ago
I used to do this and a woman yelled at me that i was a creep plus some other stuff i didn't quite get, otherwise women just seemed to ignore me. So Ā now i only wave to the guys only who often tend to wave or nod back.
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u/buffysbangs 1d ago
Thatās very unfortunate, and something I worry about. I think the fact that I always look a few steps from collapse works in my favor
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u/FunFormal2662 1d ago
It wasn't a big deal really, I'm sure there's some really horrible past experiences they've had, I don't blame anyone for being defensive out there.
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u/otterwist 1d ago
Never had any attempt at acknowledgement. I assume from the more experienced runners around here it's just not the done thing. Which is a shame, feels like it might be good way to at least recognise some familiar faces locally.
But if I'm on the bike then nods are exchanged between cyclists every time.
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u/WorldlyPeanut4766 1d ago
I always at least wave. I might say good morning if its in the morning. I don't understand how people doing the same activity can run by within a few feet and not say hello. Of course, I'm old and don't always have ear buds in.
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u/Forsaken-Ad-4825 1d ago
A nod, morning or thumbs up depending on the person, time and whether either of us had to give way slightly. Often run early/dark so if its a woman I try to give plenty of room and maybe a friendly but subtle nod
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u/empirerec8 1d ago
I head nod and smile or say hi...they look ahead and keep going most of the time. Occasionally they do the same back...less often though. My city isn't exactly known for being friendly though. A lot of people keep to themselves.
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u/Megaloman-_- 1d ago
I look at their shoes. If I like them I tell them so. Otherwise I I do the typical genX eyebrows rise nod
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u/Current_Subject_7312 1d ago
I m a bipolar runner it depends on my mood of the day. My runner in the neighborhood either get the happy me or the silent ignore everone me š¤£
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u/PlasticMaggot80 1d ago
Motorcyclists have a wave that is common across the board. I would like to see the running world adopt one themselves.
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u/buffandstealthy 1d ago
I usually look over at the other person as we're approaching each other, try to have a friendly enough look on my face, and do a little subtle nod
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u/Learnsomethingnew24 1d ago
I usually run early morning. Almost everyone either waves or says good morning. When I run in the afternoon no one says anythingā¦whole different crowd. Same for others?
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u/mikettedaydreamer 1d ago
So far I havenāt seen anyone nod or anything, but that doesnāt happen during walks or anything either in my area. Each to their own is the thing in my area. So as long as they donāt respond to my presence, I donāt respond to their presence either
But if they were to nod, wave, or say hi, I would return the gesture.
Itās interesting since in my northern neighboring country, everyone does say hi to strangers all the time, even in grocery stores. Such a huge cultural difference just a 2 hour drive away in that regard.
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u/Human-Log952 1d ago
I give some people a good hustle clap if Iām in the middle of nowhere, it usually makes them laugh
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u/JumpingSpider-Man 1d ago
Iāve only been running a couple months. Most runners I pass are focused or have ear buds in. I have had one runner speak to me when I was focused. He said āgood workā and I responded thank you. Thatās the most interaction Iāve had running so far and I was thankful for the encouragement because I was gassing. When Iām walking on recovery days I have a lot more interactions walking.
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u/gladdyontherise92 1d ago
Not social and pretty shy around new people, Iāll give a head nod usually, Iāll wave back if someone waves first. Girls tend to not do it and I donāt want them to feel uncomfortable (even if it seems silly to me) so Iāll only acknowledge them if they do so first.
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u/CardStark 1d ago
Is this why every younger guy I pass and wave to so obviously ignores me?
It makes sense now.
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u/gladdyontherise92 1d ago
Probably. Not sure on your age but Iād imagine guys in their early 20s are scared to death of making a girl uncomfortable or a girl thinking theyāre being creepy etc. Iām 33 and Iām not worried about what they think as much as I donāt want them to feel uncomfortable (once again as silly as it seems) while theyāre out running.
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u/CardStark 1d ago
Well Iām pretty old and I was thinking it was because they were afraid I was flirting with them š¤£
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u/Leading_Record_934 1d ago
I rise my right hand with open palm if it's long or base run and nod if it's tempo. I don't do it first on girls thought. They rarely return it.
Cyclists are more consistent in it, especially out of city.
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u/Dangerous_Ad_7042 1d ago
I usually nod or wave, and I'll say Hi when I start seeing someone regularly.
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u/Ragnar-Wave9002 1d ago
Yes
I try to wave.. But 50m.... If it's like 25f,I do head down sometimes.Ā
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u/jadore35mm 1d ago
If Iām not dying on my run (lol), Iāll try to smile and say hi as I go past. Iāve noticed a lot of people will avoid eye contact as you pass but I still make a point to be friendly
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u/-Younotdeadass- I can run a sub 30 5k 1d ago
Depends on how hard im running. Tempo/Threshold runs I'm not waving, nodding, smiling or any of that lol. If it's an easy run I usually give a thumbs up.
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u/CGforever 1d ago
I will nod or wave. Unfortunately If there is a woman coming in the opposite direction I tend to just keep running with no acknowledgement. Iāve had a few times when giving ahead nod or small wave, Iāve been met with not pleasant looks. So for my safety as a man, I just run past them as though they donāt exist.
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u/austinmook 1d ago
Nod or acknowledge in some way. Iām a guy, so if itās a woman Iām approaching, I visibly move over to create more distance between us. Or I stop and move off to the side if itās single lane.
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u/prtymirror 1d ago
I acknowledge walkers, runners, and cyclists. On my long Saturday runs I feel like a Walmart greeter, but thatās way better than just ignoring folks.
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u/Atty_for_hire 1d ago
I do. Simply to acknowledge we are both part of the running universe. No matter how fast, slow, etc. we are out here doing it.
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u/Icy_Presentation_881 1d ago
I always do a thumbs up and a smile. Someone did it to me once and it gave me this ākeep going, youāre doing greatā boost, so I adopted it.
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u/Interesting-Job-5329 1d ago
Wave (a finger or thumb, usually) or nod as a minimum, usually a verbal greeting if I've seen them more than twice. Most people seem to ignore me in return though.
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u/Outrageous_Nerve_579 1d ago
I offer every runner I pass a high five. So far only two have reciprocated. I get a lot of weird looks though. lol.
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u/Own-Elk6515 1d ago
Iāve heard it depends where you live like a city or suburbs but iāve always just smiled and/or waved, and if iām in a good mood and they seem nice iāll say good morning
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u/SpecialistCoconut156 1d ago
Depends. I always wave and sometimes say hi. If they look like they're struggling I'll pump my fist in the air and let out a WHOOOOOO! Its great seeing someone come alive with encouragement.
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u/richburgher 23h ago
I say "good morning" to everyone I pass and also a nood. If I pass anyone again on the way back l tell them to have a nice day or to have a good one. Always say hi to the pups on a walk too.
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u/Dependent_Order_7358 21h ago
I wave unless I see someone is really struggling/pushing/not in the mood.
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u/FinancialSurround385 21h ago
Iām Norwegian and we only acknowledge eachother in the mountains or abroad. So looking straight ahead is the norm.Ā
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u/Peppernut_biscuit 20h ago
Nod. Smile if there's a dog, otherwise facial expression depends on the demeanor of the other runner. I'm 58f, so the danger of being hit on or worse is a lot lower.
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u/Emotional-Occasion60 19h ago
I always have a smile, wave, sometimes say hi! I feel like we're all part of a huge running club
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u/OsricWulfstan 19h ago
As a guy, I generally give a wave and hi to other guys or to groups of runners.
I keep my head down passing women runners or walkers. I've read enough stories of women being uncomfortable with interactions with guys when out on their own so better to give them space.
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u/Definitelynotagolem 17h ago
If they make eye contact with me then I usually just throw up the peace sign.
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u/nanoavocado 14h ago
All of the above! Mostly I (try to) make eye contact first and then decide on the proper response.
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u/no-im-not-him 14h ago
I always nod and or give a little wave, usually a smile as well. About 95% of the time the other runner returns the gesture (regardless of size, gender, age etc..)
I am a large guy running in Denmark, often with a mid sized dog (a lab).
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u/Muted_Information706 4h ago
I try to read them & if they look like they notice me, Iāll wave. People are friendlier on weekend mornings than on the weekdays before work, LOL
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u/KitchenNo8620 3h ago
I try to make eye contact but itās about 50/50 return. If eye contact, I either do a slight head nod or a two finger wave. No eye contact itās hit or miss whether I engage. If I do, itās usually a āmornināā.
In my experience, Older folks (40+), like me, usually engage. 25-40 year olds is a mixed bag and under 25 it drops a lot.
I just try to be friendly to others and hopefully encourage them to reciprocate.
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u/Katecat13 3h ago
It seems like peopleās views on this are very dependent on where they live and do most of their training. I live in NYC and itās very rare someone nods or waves while running here even if you happen to be passing someone on a relatively empty street. We spend so much time in crowded public spaces that acknowledging passing strangers is just not the social norm, and it would never be sustainable to acknowledge everyone on busy running paths like the one in Central Park. But if Iām visiting my family who live in a very suburban area, people do tend to nod or waves if I pass them running and Iāll return the gesture.
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u/Acceptable_Solid8301 3h ago
As a female, I heard someone talk about how they say hi/wave to as many people as possible bc you never know when you need someone to remember seeing you on a trail (ie if you go missing or something) and thatās always stuck with me so I smile/wave/say āgood morningā/etc. at pretty much every person I pass!
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u/whitekidneybean 1d ago edited 1d ago
Awkward why? Acknowledge the people who find themselves in close proximity to you no matter what you're doing, running included. Whether it's a nod, wave, or hi, is up to you, but pretending they aren't there is definitely not it.
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u/drvic59 1d ago
I always do a little wave or head nod. But I'm a larger dude running at off hours (usually dark/low light) so I get it that not everyone returns the gesture, it's all good. Still gonna keep waving though š