Untrue. As OP describes it, all the trail users except the obnoxious jogger were able to give 6 ft. I've had the same experience in DC. Most people are giving enough room, but every so often you get the obnoxious sprinter. |
Exactly. I'm a runner AND a walker (who walks next to my kid) and I have no problem in either situation making way. The problem only arises when a runner bears down on you and doesn't give you the time to move over. |
And you'll be posting here angrily afterwards. And maybe have coronavirus! Sounds like a win-win-win for you, all things considered. |
|
Where did the OP say that she and her husband were walking side by side?
Also, love the 6-feet leash idea. I have a large German Shepherd that I'll let walk at the end of her leash.
|
From behind? Yeah, if they don't give a passing warning, that's on them. But if you see them approaching from the opposite direction and blithely go along as usual, that's on you. |
| I'm a runner AND a walker too (I walk around the neighborhood with a baby and preschooler every few days). I haven't had any issues with runners coming too close, I guess my neighbors in NoVa are just all considerate about getting off the sidewalks when walkers are around. I have been annoyed to have to either take small children into the road or pass by too close when other pedestrians could easily move into the grass and don't, though. I think it's common sense to give space to people with less mobility, whether they're elderly or dealing with dogs and strollers. And to walk single file if you're in a busy area. |
It's on the jogger to slow down as well -- you can't just blast past people without giving them time to move over. Also most joggers are giving way less room than walkers. |
| Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings, yes, even if people behind you. I’m a runner and I’ve been able to do this for years because I try to be cognizant of bikes or faster runners coming up behind me. I’m not saying this runner was right, but since this all started it’s like everyone wants to go for walks now and observe no etiquette or common sense. Everyone here has a burden. |
You’re free to stay inside eating chips like you did before all this happened. We were outside first anyway and now have to deal with all these selfish morons clogging up our trails, paths, and sidewalks. |
| So just start coughing really loudly. Everyone gives you space! |
|
I went back and read OP’s post. To be fair, even though I’m a runner, and a frequent user of the trails, it sounds like that particular runner may have been in the wrong. MOST bikers, walkers, dog walkers, and runners have adapted and are safely sharing the trails. SOME have not.
I don’t think I’d ever get back from a walk or run so incensed by the behavior of another trail user that I’d hop on DCUM to complain, but complaining here may let off enough steam to prevent some public flare-ups, so this is a good outlet. |
I rarely see runners side by side. Walkers? Very common. I walk, too, with my kids around our neighborhood each morning. So I'm not unsympathetic to walkers, but this assumption that everything is all the runners' fault is comical. There are rude people of all speeds. |
| The runners sound nasty. |
|
That sucks and obviously it's horrible behavior, but if you are going to a trail these days you are putting yourself and your family at risk. You just are. You can't control other people and it's very hard to not cluster together to stay away from bikers and runners. I know it's nice out but no more trails.
|
Op I feel your pain. What an asshat. |