Runworks
Welcome, Guest      Blog      Forums      Calculator
     Log in  


Some links below may be affiliate links. BMOW may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these.

As an Amazon Associate BMOW earns from qualifying purchases.
 

Return to topic list
 
<< adventure racing spring is here! >>
 wrong-way track runners
Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

wrong-way track runners Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:53 pm 

Despite the fact that I rarely go to the track, whenever I do I always seem to have a problem with "Wrong-Way Jane" and her friend. Somehow the people at my local track don't realize that you should run counter-clockwise, and so there's usually an equal mix of people running both directions. Now as crazy as that might seem, the wrong-way runners and walkers usually move out of the way when I come by.

But Wrong-Way Jane and her pal hug the inside lane like their lives depended on it, walking along at a leisurely pace. That forces me to swing wide into the outside lane to pass. Keep in mind that the only reason I'm at the track is to run accurately measured intervals, and you can understand why stepping out of the lane is annoying. I'm also moving pretty fast during the intervals, and since we're moving in opposite directions, I pass Jane and her friend twice per lap, more often than once every minute. That's a lot of passing.

I've tried playing chicken with them, but I usually lose. Once I was forced to step off the track into the infield to avoid a collision. I've also tried making various "please move over" looks with my eyes that accomplished nothing.

Anyone else have a similar problem? I really don't want to have to come up to these ladies before my workout and say "excuse me, could you please move?" But it may come to that. Or I could paint giant arrows on the track...


Bricks
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Chicago
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 222

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:28 am 

coming from a runner with a history of knee problems, i know some of those runners are mixing up clock and counterclockwise so as not to develop or stress any body parts on one side or the other differently. as for the walkers, there's no excuse and likely no solution. walkers seem to have the innate and overwhelming desire to excercise the 'we have just as much right as you do' clause to life. if you've ever run a race where you've had to dodge around a group of walkers five abreast who toed the line in front of the elite runners you know what i mean. i find the best way, whether they're on the left going the same direction or on the wrong side going the opposite direction is to pass them so narrowly that it's uncomfortable if not scary. never never never hit them, but give em a hint, make em flinch a bit and hope the next time around they give you some space.

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:57 am 

Agreed... I don't mind the wrong-way thing so much as long as people are conscious that it is the wrong way, and stay in the outermost lanes. And there does seem to be more friction that walkers and runners than you might expect. After all, we're all doing essentially the same activity, just at different speeds. Yet sometimes it feels like a turf war between two rival gangs.

sfird
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Long Island, NY
Joined: 10 Dec 2004
Posts: 80

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:53 pm 

I just got a call from Wrong Way Jane and she told me that she just got some three new friends that she will be walking with. She also said that if you play chicken one more time she'll let the air out of your tires! She's really nice though. I think a quiet dicussion about track etiquette might help. Simply help her understand that you are running measured distances for time and that it is difficult to do this with her and her friends in the way. Ask her to move a lane or two from the middle and promise never to get in her way.

onyourleft


Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 10

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:28 pm 

find a new track or run track workouts with a team. or workout at a track where teams are working out. that usually sets everything and everyone straight in a hurry.
or you could add a left nostril farmer's blow to your close pass on the right. nothing says "i'm serious" like snot.


Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:59 pm 

onyourleft wrote:
nothing says "i'm serious" like snot.

Gross, but true. Maybe you should get that printed on a T-shirt. I'll buy one.


phaedrus


Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 37

Re: wrong-way track runners Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 12:33 pm 

I have this vision in my head of two runners going opposite directions, both in the inside lane, both trying to force the other one to step to the outside first. They collide head-on at full speed, bouncing backwards and collapsing to the ground dazed. Then they both slowly get up, and in an embarassed voice try to explain why they didn't get out of the way.

View posts:     


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
 


Copyright © 2014 Runworks. All rights reserved.   Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group

Questions or Comments  Privacy Policy