Etiquette Question for Faster Runners (Read 1192 times)

This weekend I ran in a relatively small HM where I was last for about 10 miles. (I should note that while I am far from a speedster, I am proud of the race. I wanted to be under 12 min/mile, I wanted to not be last at the end and I wanted to finish faster than I started; I did all of these things.) Anyway, the course was set up with start and finish in the middle with an out and back to either side with a small loop on each end. This was run twice. So (if you can picture what I meant by that) while I was last much of the race I was constantly being passed by people going the opposite direction, and before I finished my first 'loop' I was lapped by the fastest runners who were finishing up their second 'loop'. I cannot begin to count the number of 'good job' 'you go girl' and even a 'keep it up hun' comments that I got from people (strangers) going the opposite direction. I've never had this happen before because I've not run a race with this kind of course set up before. I know it was painfully obvious I was bringing up the rear, and while I appreciated the comments, the sarcastic side of me wasn't so sure I liked being complimented for my perseverance. But, I wanted to be gracious because I know everyone was just being nice, and I do appreciate the sentiment. So my question after all this rambling is - when a fast runner cheers on the slow runner in the middle of the race (while the fast runner is also still running), what is the appropriate response from the slow runner? Anything? I always say thanks to the race volunteers and any random sideline people when they cheer, but it seemed very different when the cheering people were still in the middle of their own race. If you cheered on a slow runner while you were still running, what would you like to hear in response?

Not that I am super-fast, but I have passed some people in my races and always cheer them on or try to give some words of encouragement (especially those that look like they might be struggling a bit). When someone cheers me on I actually dont respond except maybe to smile back at them. And I find the same goes for when I cheer others on. The other (faster) runners dont know exactly how you are feeling at that point but want to help by cheering you on, and they do understand that if you dont respond it may be because you are just trying to focus on keeping moving forward. Granted that isnt necessarily the case for everyone (and I'm not in any way stating that you were struggling) but I think a smile is appropriate if you dont want to say anything - they wont be offended that you didnt respond. If you throw out a quick "Thanks" that is fine too.

Well, sounds like the couple of 'thanks' and mostly smiles that I sent out were appropriate. I do know it's nice for people to cheer like that, but it just felt odd. Maybe I did look like I was struggling, or maybe I just have issues with being slow and don't have the appropriate level of gratitude to fully appreciate the cheers. Thanks for the input!

Congrats on your HM. Was it your first?

Yes, sort of. It's the first one I'm counting as a race because it's the first that was official. I host a virtual race every few months on another site and have done the HM distance for it, but then I was running solo. So, while I trained for it and planned for it as if it was official, it certainly wasn't what most people would consider a race.

Depending on my energy ... 1. THANKS!! and a wave 2. Wave and smile 3. Smile

I'm always bringing up the rear, and I LOVE it when faster runners cheer me on! It always makes me smile. I guess it's because I don't mind being so slow - I'm just thrilled to be there. If faster runners take the time to encourage me, I really appreciate it. I usually say, "Thanks!" unless I'm struggling up a hill. Teresa

I pretty much agree with everything that comes ahead. In the few times where I've been passed in the other direction by faster runners, they always ignored me (although I've cheered them on!) and I've gotten a range of responses when cheering on people that I'm passing in the other direction. I expect no acknowledgement and just hope that they hear and appreciate my encouragement. A thanks, a smile, a nod, a wave, that is nice but not necessary.

have to vote for "nice butt". a close second would be "i'm coming to get you next year" congrats on your first half! keep smiling and keep running.