Can we normalize the "runner's wave" again?

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Sort of depends on how many people I pass on my route. If it’s only a handful, sure, I’ll wave to everyone. If there are lots of people out, it gets kind of silly waving to every single one.

[Anonymous]

After reading this, I waved to everyone this morning. They looked surprised and happy and waved back.

[Anonymous]

I'm a waver. I had been not waving at white dudes, bc they never wave back, but a white dude waved at me on Tuesday, and it was a pleasant surprise (i'm a white lady).
OP, I'll wave at you!

And to the other PP - I join your club of anti-bikers, especially on beach drive! Must they try to run over everyone?

[Anonymous]

Just get out of my way, please. I hate when I’m running and parents allow their toddlers to just plop down in the middle of:
the high school track, the park’s gravel running loop and even, I swear because this just happened: the W and OD path.

[Anonymous]

Also, as a far into middle aged white woman, I’ll try to wave, starting today. Usually I say hello as I pass people but where I am in snobby Vienna, rarely do I get a response - usually eyes averted. It would be a nice distraction to challenge myself to wave to everyone...I’m not a die hard runner and dread hitting the trail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wave to fellow runners. I wave to walkers if they smile and wave first. I’ve learned on DCUM this year how much walkers hate runners.

Walkers don't hate runners - it's the newbies who rarely ventured outside before the past year, who hate runners. Many are still grappling with basic trail/path etiquette (some new runners are as well).

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Runners and walkers are united in our (justified) hatred of cyclists.

I don't hate cyclists although I run on neighborhood paths so don't encounter them often.

I do hate people walking their dogs though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After reading this, I waved to everyone this morning. They looked surprised and happy and waved back.

OP here.

I waved/smiled to all the women (and a couple of men). None of the women waved back. One man reciprocated, but I think we just "waved" at the same time.

Come on, women on the Mount Vernon Trail, Four Mile Run, and Potomac Yards trail. Show a little acknowledgement of others!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After reading this, I waved to everyone this morning. They looked surprised and happy and waved back.

OP here.

I waved/smiled to all the women (and a couple of men). None of the women waved back. One man reciprocated, but I think we just "waved" at the same time.

Come on, women on the Mount Vernon Trail, Four Mile Run, and Potomac Yards trail. Show a little acknowledgement of others!

OP, I’ve been a runner for 30+ years and grew up in this area. Back when I started (in MoCo, where I currently live) the runner’s wave was common. I remember my cross-country coach teaching us about it! But I agree, it’s too often missed now, and, like this experience you just had, it’s mostly the women where I run who ignore it. I’m also a woman, so I don’t get it—I’m not a creepy guy yelling “nice top” or something. I’m a fellow runner. Sometimes the men I see when I run do the wave. Especially now, that solidarity would be so appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is really getting me down. It's like people are so afraid to even acknowledge another human being outside anymore.

Runners (or walkers), can you please respond to my cracked smile and wave? Let's at least acknowledge that we're out getting exercise and sometimes it's facking hard. And I get being reserved on a trail alone with men, but I'm a 5'2" profusely sweating lady wearing shorts when it's 52 degrees.

Why do I have to wave at a sweaty smelly stranger? Do I do this for every Tom dick and Harry normally. B itch be gone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wave to fellow runners. I wave to walkers if they smile and wave first. I’ve learned on DCUM this year how much walkers hate runners.

Walkers don't hate runners - it's the newbies who rarely ventured outside before the past year, who hate runners. Many are still grappling with basic trail/path etiquette (some new runners are as well).

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Runners and walkers are united in our (justified) hatred of cyclists.

Not all runners are nice. I'm a walker and I have had a few run right up behind me and scare the shit out of me when I turned around ( before covid) After covid they run very close to you without a mask. Sure, I am outside but, give me my 10 feet please!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:After reading this, I waved to everyone this morning. They looked surprised and happy and waved back.

OP here.

I waved/smiled to all the women (and a couple of men). None of the women waved back. One man reciprocated, but I think we just "waved" at the same time.

Come on, women on the Mount Vernon Trail, Four Mile Run, and Potomac Yards trail. Show a little acknowledgement of others!

Why do you feel that you need to be acknowledged? Most of the time I do say hi or wave but, I don't get hurt if people don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always wave to fellow runners. I wave to walkers if they smile and wave first. I’ve learned on DCUM this year how much walkers hate runners.

Walkers don't hate runners - it's the newbies who rarely ventured outside before the past year, who hate runners. Many are still grappling with basic trail/path etiquette (some new runners are as well).

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Runners and walkers are united in our (justified) hatred of cyclists.

Thanks for the laugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, as a far into middle aged white woman, I’ll try to wave, starting today. Usually I say hello as I pass people but where I am in snobby Vienna, rarely do I get a response - usually eyes averted. It would be a nice distraction to challenge myself to wave to everyone...I’m not a die hard runner and dread hitting the trail.

I’ve run on the W&OD in Vienna for a decade now, and always did the runner’s wave or nod. But I noticed from the pandemic onwards, MUCH fewer acknowledgments. Usually it’s the middle-aged and older guys who will still wave. (I’m a mid-40s white lady.)

I’ll wave to you, PP!

[Anonymous]

I do the nod vs the wave. But generally I respond in kind to what the other runner or walker does. So if I see you waving, I'll wave.