4 Types of People You'll See on a Run

What do you take notice to on your runs?  One of the things we both take notice to the most is the other people we see on our runs. Here are a few stories from the both of us.





1. The Determined Runner- When I start to see the same people over and over again out on the trail or on the island I wonder if they are training for anything in particular. I've only had the courage to ever ask one person that question though. We had both finished at the same time and had parked next to each other.  I of course would never stop someone during a run to ask them that! Turns out he was from the local college and just ran because he like to run! I'm always curious as to why people are running. I like to know what races they are doing too!

2. The Walker-One summer, when I was going to the island every morning, I would see an older gentleman walking around the path with a cane.  He was there every day like clock work. Most times another man would come and meet him and walk with him. Every time I would run past, we would each wave. As the summer would go on, we eventually would exchange friendly banter as I ran by.  I looked forward to seeing his friendly smile and it got to the point where if I didn't see him, I actually wondered about him and if he was okay.  I wonder what he thought of me? Perhaps "There's that girl again".

 3.  The Watcher-There is a route that I have been doing for years around town near my parents. On this one particular street I always see a guy sitting on his chair on the porch. He is a fairly bigger guy that is connected to oxygen. Every time I pass by I give a friendly wave and say hello. He does the same while I continue to run by. I have to say I kind of look forward running by this street to say hello. I like to think I make his day a bit more pleasant. When he is not out, I wonder why? And hope that he is ok. I wonder what he thinks about me. “There goes that crazy runner girl. I don’t know how she does it ALL the time” Guess I will never know. It is not like I would ever stop and strike up a conversation with him. 

4.  The Struggling Runner- You are out on a run feeling good and you pass a fellow runner. You think to yourself, do I look like that when I run? They look like they are really struggling. They are breathing heavy, their form is off, and they are hunched over. You say to yourself, they will definitely be having knee problems in years to come! But then again they are doing it, and that’s all that matter. You do not know their story. Maybe they are coming off an injury, maybe they have really bad asthma, or maybe they just started taking up running.  Again, you will never know because it’s not like you are going to stop to ask them.  


We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.

39 comments:

  1. People ask me if I'm training for races or if I've run some local race when I'm running. Just this week, a walker asked if I had run the Houston Marathon. It's a good way to get to know people I see a lot - I'm glad they ask. : )

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    1. I would love to strike up a conversation with people as its a great way to meet new runners but most people are really in their groove and I would hate to interrupt that.

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  2. There's an elderly gentleman who sits out in his garage when the weather is nice that I often see when walking Lola. I always worry if I don't see him.

    I love these kinds of posts!

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    1. He probably looks forward to seeing you and Lola walk by!

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  3. I am definitely the struggling runner most of the time. I always smile at other people when I see them struggling too, as it always helps me when someone smiles at me.

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    1. I agree, it's definitely nice when another runner smiles as you pass by!

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  4. I love the watchers. I had one little lady who used to watch and cheer every time I went by in Texas, probably because I was also the struggling runner. LOL She thought I needed the extra help. ;)

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  5. Too funny, I have a handful of people that I regularly see each day. Most are out walking their dog, but a couple are out there walking to get exercise. When I was out for an injury I had a couple people ask me if everything was OK when I got back to my routine. A couple of them I've exchanged names with and stop for a second to pet their dogs. It's nice to see the same people out, it really feels like a community.

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  6. I have reason to assume that I'm the Determined Runner...like, always.:P There is this awesome mix all through my neighborhood and around the park near where I live. Every morning, I see three ladies walking together around the park. We say "Good morning" every time we see each other.:)

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    1. I am always saying hello when I pass fellow runners or walkers.

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  7. I saw a struggling runner the other day and it took everything I had not to stop her and tell her to slow down and work on her form. Lol. She just looked miserable with arms and legs flailing all over the place. It was clear she was running way too fast!

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    1. It is so hard not to stop. It's like you almost wanna stop and help them.

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  8. The funny thing is I see more people out running when I'm driving than when I'm running. If I see someone, we'll wave, and run in our different directions.

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    1. That is funny. I guess I am always running trails or on the boardwalk so cars are not able to be at those places.

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  9. The Walker reminds me of what I'd call "The Regular" - the SAME people you see every time. You know they are on the same schedule as you. :)
    I KNOW I'm the Struggling Runner one :) People probably worry for me

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  10. Around here everyone sort of just gives each other the head nod, but there is no real conversation. I have seen the same guy a couple times while we were doing hill repeats. Maybe if I see him again I will say something. I don't think most runners run hill repeats for fun. Lol.

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    1. Yea I wouldn't think so. I'm sure a head nod is enough during that point..haha.

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  11. During the summer I am the struggling runner for sure. It is so hot I feel like I am swimming through that humid air.

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    1. I can't imagine how hot it gets down there. I am in Virginia and I think it's hot enough here. I wouldn't want to live any further south.

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  12. This guy in my building runs. I see him at the gym. I see him at the park. He has seen me wear my marathon tshirt, but besides hello, we have never spoken. I always think crazy things when I don't see him for a while....is he injured ? On vacation ? Is he training for anything ? but we have never had a running conversation. After almost 4 years in the same building !

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    1. Wow! 4 years is a long time to continue to see the same person without having somewhat of a conversation.

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  13. Funny! You are spot on. Then there are the people who stop me around town and say they saw me out running and couldn't believe I was all the way over on their side of town. These people are the stalkers and/or the ones who don't get us! lol!

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    1. Exactly! I Have had someone at my dad's work say to him I saw your daughter out running. I have never met this guy before. Guess I look like my dad.

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  14. After a few years of seeing the same watcher guy, we all stopped to talk to him last week. So fun to hear his story

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  15. I would be the DETERMINED WALKER! hahaha!

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  16. I run on Kelly Drive, a really popular trail in Philly so there are times where I see the same "Determined Runners" such as myself! I wish people were friendly and waved back though...usually I get a blank stare or a glare in return of my wave!

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    1. I have ran that trail and I know exactly what you mean.

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  17. Great post idea! I am such a huge people watcher and even on a run.
    I find I have gotten pretty good at guessing correctly what some are training for.
    I have these 3 sweet old ladies and their mini dog who I used to look forward to seeing every morning. Now I only get to see their fabulous faces on Friday's if I get out.

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  18. When I do my speed workouts at the park, I always see the same few runners/walkers. Sometimes we exchange high fives, which is really fun!

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    1. Oh that's nice. I have never exchanged a high five during a run.

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  19. In our neighborhood, we have a guy we call The Hopper. He runs like on the balls of his feet and basically hops! It's funny.

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  20. I definitely have a determined runner I see regularly. Also a watcher. The freakiest thing is when I came upon someone who knew me but I did not know them. That's weird.

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  21. There are a few people I see walking in pairs where I run. One pair I see on my morning runs, the other in the afternoon. I always say hello.

    I hardly ever see the same runners though.

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