Runners: Why are you too good for the sidewalk?

[colonelciller]

Seriously? I can't imagine asphalt having any more give than concrete, unless you weigh 5000 lbs.

seriously.

there is a huge difference between running on concrete (worst substance for running on in existence) to running on asphalt (much much easier on your legs... especially for long distance runners).

then you have gravel, dirt, grass... all different materials with different physical properties (shocking) and different levels of wear and tear on your legs and joints.

the only people who are run on sidewalks are non-runners or those who have yet to incur a serious injury from running endlessly on a sidewalk.

 

[AFurryReptile]

Overhanging branches, people that park in the middle of the sidewalk, having to dodge other people and animals...

I can understand why they run in the road. I don't understand why this would bother anyone.

 

[colonelciller]

This. The argument about concrete being harder is BS. I am sure it is harder, but the combination of surface + shoe + sock + skin + heel padding + cartilage + bone is virtually identical in both cases.

it is not BS but declaring that is it is out of pure ignorance sure is

 

[Gunbuster]

I like to run in the street. Just don't do it on a GD main road with a ton of traffic.

Drivers on residential streets calm the f down and wait 10 seconds for a place that is safe to pass. If you have to "hit the brakes" in a neighborhood because you just noticed a runner you are likely going too fast in the first place.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I wouldn't give a shit about if they moved immediately to the sidewalk when a car was coming up behind them. If there's no sidewalk a runner should stop and wait on the shoulder for cars to pass. A car should not have to get into the oncoming side of the road to get around a runner ever.

 

[ControlD]

I wouldn't give a shit about if they moved immediately to the sidewalk when a car was coming up behind them. If there's no sidewalk a runner should stop and wait on the shoulder for cars to pass. A car should not have to get into the oncoming side of the road to get around a runner ever.

If you are doing it properly you will be running opposite the direction of traffic so that scenario wouldn't come up in the first place. Running in the same direction of traffic is a bad idea all around.

 

[SlitheryDee]

If you are doing it properly you will be running opposite the direction of traffic so that scenario wouldn't come up in the first place. Running in the same direction of traffic is a bad idea all around.

It does still apply though. A runner who doesn't move out of the road for oncoming traffic is just as douchey, possibly more douchey because they can't claim that they didn't see it coming. Ideally the car shouldn't even have to brake because the runner is out of the road long before it even gets near. If all runners did this, I can't see any reason for a driver to ever complain about them. Evidently a lot of them expect the car to do the adjusting instead though.

 

[Thebobo]

Bike riders; why are they to good for the bike paths.

 

[Dirigible]

It does still apply though. A runner who doesn't move out of the road for oncoming traffic is just as douchey, possibly more douchey because they can't claim that they didn't see it coming. Ideally the car shouldn't even have to brake because the runner is out of the road long before it even gets near. If all runners did this, I can't see any reason for a driver to ever complain about them. Evidently a lot of them expect the car to do the adjusting instead though.

You are so dependent on handouts that you think you earned them and they are a right. Stfu. Go around the runner when it's safe.

 

[ControlD]

It does still apply though. A runner who doesn't move out of the road for oncoming traffic is just as douchey, possibly more douchey because they can't claim that they didn't see it coming. Ideally the car shouldn't even have to brake because the runner is out of the road long before it even gets near. If all runners did this, I can't see any reason for a driver to ever complain about them. Evidently a lot of them expect the car to do the adjusting instead though.

When I am running on roads I will move over to the shoulder when I see traffic coming but I am sure as hell not going to stop and wait for traffic to clear before I start running again. That is just stupid. Then again, I generally don't run on busy roads anyhow because I don't trust people enough to be paying attention.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Bike riders; why are they to good for the bike paths.

Oh I guarantee they have a reason.

"Bike paths get dirt in my gears"

"Bike paths are bumpy"

"Bike paths have more glass on them"

"Bike paths aren't as scenic"

"Not as many people can see me on bike paths. That's fewer people who know I'm better than them."

I say clean your bike, live with the bumps, drive around the glass, live with the scenery, and get over yourself. It's what I would do. Am I an asshole for expecting people to do what I would do?

 

[Genx87]

I use to run a lot, participated in iron man contests etc.

Shin splints can be a real problem and the concrete on sidewalks is much, much harder than the asphalt paving on streets. So, they run on the street to avoid shin splits, or they're just inconsiderate idiots.

Fern

Shin splints are usually the result of poor shoes or poor running form. The make up the ground running on does contribute some. But in my experiences in track. Once people were trained to run properly shin splints were rarely a problem. The issue with running form is many people jam their toes into the ground when running instead of pulling with their toes. This shock puts strain on their entire lower leg.

 

[momeNt]

I like running on pitched roads, it allows one of my ankles to always be at an angle, and my hips to be unnaturally out of level. It makes the run more challenging and I like to tell people that any of my miles are harder than your miles.

 

[SlitheryDee]

You are so dependent on handouts that you think you earned them and they are a right. Stfu. Go around the runner when it's safe.

What are you on about? I'm not talking about rights. I'm talking about what is decent. If a runner doesn't move over I would do exactly what you describe, but I wouldn't be happy about it. He's the one holding me up, not the other way around. Anytime I'm the bottleneck in a situation I get my ass out of the way. That's the decent thing to do in running, and in life.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I run on the road when it makes sense to do so from a safety perspective. It feels better and no driveway cut outs to deal with. Not to mention that all of the runs I've ever participated in have been on the road and not on the sidewalk.

 

[Train]

Totally depends on the area. Where I live now the sidewalks are pretty good, and I usually run on them. But I've also lived in areas where trying to stay on the sidewalk is like an obstacle course, and it's impossible to get a good stride going.

 

[TheUnk]

Not to mention that all of the runs I've ever participated in have been on the road and not on the sidewalk.

So because they race on the road you must train on the road?

 

[silverpig]

it is not BS but declaring that is it is out of pure ignorance sure is

Saying "nuh uh!" isn't? You haven't provided a single possible explanation for why concrete is harder.

I'm not the world's greatest runner, but I've hit 80 km / week some weeks, and mostly run on sidewalks in minimalist shoes.

Please explain how asphalt is any harder on your knees, when the shoe takes ~100% of the deformation.

By your logic, jumping on a trampoline on a concrete pad would be terrible.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Not only do they run on the street, they run WITH the traffic flow vs against it.

If you have to walk/run on the street you always go on the left side so you can see cars coming at you and have a chance to get out of the way if need maybe.

From the rear, you have no chance and won't even know what hit you.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Runners and bikers are so elitist.

So, they don't like the obstacles on the sidewalk.... Thus decide it's better to BE the obstacle in the road?

 

[highland145]

Runners and bikers are so elitist.

So, they don't like the obstacles on the sidewalk.... Thus decide it's better to BE the obstacle in the road?

Bikers are allowed on the road. But not riding 3 wide blocking it.

 

[AstroManLuca]

There's a road near my house, Summit Ave. Big residential parkway with a large grassy area ~30 feet wide between the two lanes of traffic. And sidewalks on both sides of the road as well. There are also clearly marked bike lanes on the road.

And yet there will still be runners running in the bike lane. They have their choice of two different sidewalks and the grassy central area if that's too hard, and most of them do stay out of the bike lane. But there are always a few.

 

[Gunbuster]

Not only do they run on the street, they run WITH the traffic flow vs against it.

If you have to walk/run on the street you always go on the left side so you can see cars coming at you and have a chance to get out of the way if need maybe.

From the rear, you have no chance and won't even know what hit you.

I can pretty much always tell if a car is coming up behind me, I have these things called ears. Be it on foot or on a bike I would much rather be moving with traffic and do subtraction for total impact energy rather than addition on the chance I get hit.

 

[Exterous]

I will say that I always try to avoid running in the grass\dirt and I can understand why other runner avoid those areas as well. I have bad ankles (had extensive surgery on one and spent 6 weeks in a cast) and running on un-even terrain can be bad news esp if its a long run and I am tired.

Its pretty flat around here with wide-ish shoulders so we don't usually have problems with runners. Now bikers who ride 2 abreast and blow through stop signs on the other hand....

 

[Ayrahvon]

I never got them until last year. Then a doc showed a simple warm up that last about 45-60 seconds. I haven't had them since.

What's the warmup? I get terrible shin splints!