Betsy is a mother, runner, country music lover, blogger, FitFluential Ambassador and a member of the Idiots Running Club. You can connect with her through her blog The Everyday Warrior. Or on Facebook and Twitter.
If you are a runner you have probably been honked at a time or two during one of your runs.
With that being said, it seems like people fall on either one side or the other on this issue. You either hate it or love it.
I love it! And here’s why.
1) It makes my good runs even better.
Last week I set out to see how fast I could run a 5k. (One of my goals for 2012 is to run a 5k race in 27 minutes or less.) On that day, I was making great time and I felt great too! It was one of those runs where everything just seemed to click! About halfway through my run two guys in a truck started honking at me. I couldn’t help but smile and be appreciative of the encouragement. It’s nice to have your hard work recognized, even if by strangers! And btw, I ran the 5k in 26:30! Woot! (Now to replicate that in a race!)
2) It makes my bad runs seem not as bad.
A couple of weeks ago I had a really bad run. I left for my 6 mile long run without using my inhaler (I have exercise induced reactive airway) and I realized my oversight when I was a half mile out. I wasn’t having any breathing difficulties at that moment so I figured if I just took it easy and didn’t push myself I could get through the run without incident. Around mile 3 my chest started to feel heavy and I was only able to take short breaths. I was running an out and back so I had no choice but to keep pressing on, I had to get home one way or another. To help ease my breathing, I took MANY walking breaks which is not the norm for me. I was exhausted, hot, sweaty and could not wait for the run to be over. About a half a mile from the end of the run, someone honked at me. And I remember thinking, “Really?? I look and feel like a hot mess!” But I have to be honest, despite feeling awful it put a little pep back into my run!
I should clarify that although I enjoy getting encouraging honks from passerbys, I do not embrace being harassed or disrespected by people. I have not ever been a victim of this but I know many runners who have been. Nothing would flip my bitch switch faster than someone being an asshat. What I am talking about here is friendly and encouraging honks.
So how do you feel about getting honked at while you are running? Do you love it or hate it? Why?
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The honks just make me laugh. It’s not pretty when I run (specially in the summer) so I think “seriously?”
great thoughts and perspective!! i sort of like it too because i feel like they’re acknowledging your hard work and cheering you on!! great guest post! SPA LOVE
Thanks! And I agree!
lol
It gets creepy when they start yelling!
Yeah… a little over eager in my opinion. lol
Meh, it depends on the day. Most often I’m in the zone and just wave or ignore. But it doesn’t bother me unless they honk at an obvious inopportune time and try to scare the crap out of me.
I’ve been in the zone and got the crap scared out of me a time or two. Def brings you back to awareness! lol
I don’t get honked at besides much else than taxi cabs because I run in the city. BUT people encourage and clap for me. You know when it’s genuine and it makes me feel awesome.
That IS awesome!
When I used to long-distance run, I hated it! But by the way, Betsy…never knew you were a country girl, too
I am VERY much a country girl!
I have definitely been the victim of the harassing types, mainly in college and mainly when it was a group of us. It normally startles me and makes me jump 3 ft in the air, so I’m generally not a fan of honking. But I guess an occasional “beep beep” with a wave isn’t bad. I’d prefer to know the person honking at me!
Ugh! The harassing types are not cool! Sorry to hear that!
In the city it happens all the time. So I tend to ignore it. Sometimes they may through out a compliment like “You got this,” in which case it pushes me to go harder.
Compliments are even better!
Oh yeah.. i get tons of honks.. ladies ladies simma down now…simma down! haha I\’ve got a few but i imagine this is a little more common for the ladies. There is not much sexier than someone taking care of themselves with Fitness.. but i\’ve NEVER honked at anyone that\’s just too much.
Lol I have to admit that I have honked at a guy runner a time or two!
Naw, don’t like it. Sorry! I think sometimes people are being rude by honking because they think that they own the road and most of the time I don’t understand why some of them are honking at me anyway. Half the time it scares me because I’m not expecting anyone to be honking at me, especially since I don’t recognize the car or anyone in it.
But if it motivates you then that is great!
That’s ok if you don’t like it! I understand why some people don’t.