I like to wave, nod, or say hi to other runners on the road. I don’t live somewhere that there are so many that it would be exhausting to acknowledge everyone, and I live in a place where most runners (and sometimes cyclists) tend to greet one another.
But every so often, you see someone approaching you from the other direction and you really hesitate, because it’s not just that they won’t wave first, but you get the sense that they’re too focused or different from you to even reciprocate. If someone looks like they’re running at break neck speed, trying to meet an interval goal, I’m not too offended if they don’t wave back. But I also might give them a wide berth to begin with. Eye contact? Wave / greeting. No eye contact? I am mentally sending you best wishes for the completion of your interval.
But I have to tell you, my favorite exchange with another runner happened recently and it was kind of unexpected.
I was a mile into my ten mile run, going slow, when I saw a teenage boy running towards me from the other direction. He was red faced, serious, and FAST.
I looked up while he approached and felt old, slow, and insecure.
I almost didn’t say good morning.
Then I realized he was probably looking at me, and while I wondered if he would greet me like another runner, he was wondering if I would greet HIM like another adult. How often do we act like teenagers are invisible, mostly because we’re worried about what they’re thinking of us?
I smiled and said “Good morning!”
He smiled, a little extra big, and said “Good morning!” right back.
And that was the best I felt all day.
Yes! I love smiling and waving at other runners and cyclists. Just this morning i saw a neighbor/friends mom on her bike on my run. It makes me proud that I am confident enough to make eye contact and wave, little more than a year ago i would have kept my eyes on the ground embarrassed; wishing to be invisible.
Isn’t it amazing how much a positive response from another person on our run can encourage and buoy us along? I smile at everyone when I’m running, walkers, runners, cyclists – heck, I want people to think that running is fun and enjoyable! But I know what you mean about not expecting teenagers or younger people to respond. A couple of weeks ago when I was out on my long run, a very pretty girl in her (maybe) early 20s was running towards me, and I flashed her a beaming smile. I was so delighted when she responded in kind, it really encouraged me and kept me going for the rest of my run. Most people generally do smile back or say hi, and towards the end of a long run, it can be the little boost that you need to keep going!
Like you I wave and say good morning to everybody – even if they look like they are not going to reply. Being new to the neighborhood, I just figured that it was the thing to do. There have been a few people, walkers and runners, that wouldn’t acknowledge me, but most of them are starting to respond. I figure that as long as I’m waving and saying hi that eventually it will occur to them how silly they look… And I’m not talking about a crazy, jumping up and down waving my arms kind of a wave… just a simple raising of a hand and short hello or g’morning to acknowledge their presence and the fact that we are sharing some space together.
Also, if I’m having to run on the side of a road because of no sidewalk, I’ll wave at every car, if only to make those that don’t give me any space feel bad for making me leap into the ditch. Interestingly enough, 98% of all the cars give me room now!
That’s neat that you’re noticing a difference after regularly greeting people – I wonder if morning commuters and fellow exercisers are beginning to recognize you, and/or you’re affecting the culture in your area! You wave at someone, they don’t wave back in time but then THEY wave at the next person… who knows? It’s great that cars are giving you space – I’ve found cars in my area are the most polite when it’s not rush hour 🙂
I’m training for my second half marathon (the first one that I’m actually training for and planning on running this one!). I did one in 2010 that was a run/walk. I run with a group on Saturday mornings and on the path we see a lot of runners/walkers/bikers going in the other direction. Last Saturday there was a group of boys from the cross country team and they all said hi – love it. By the way, I love running the long runs with my group. It makes sure I get the long runs in and it also makes me get my shorter runs in during the week so I build up my miles and I keep up. I just found your blog and I’ve been catching up!
That’s amazing! I’ve never looked into a group for my long runs, maybe I should! I worry that my pace is too slow and my schedule too kid-dependent. It’s definitely a great way to make it fun – I loved the half marathon where I ran with someone I knew who was the perfect pace match. The miles flew by!