Running the opposite way on a track (Read 1221 times)

Why do people do this? Is it to avoid injuring their feet or something? There's this one guy at the track who switches direction every 2 laps or so. Its kind of annoying to me that I always have to pass him using the outside lane, but not a big deal at all. But last night, the track was more packed than usual (I counted 22 people walking, running or milling around when I left) and one lady who was running (pretty fast too) in the opposite direction from everyone else. Now, if there's only a few people on the track, it doesn't really affect anyone to do this... but with a track pakced with people, this just seems a bit inconsiderate to me. Any thoughts? Also, what about people who show up with their dog and 5 friends to walk around the track and take up 4 of the lanes? Is this necessary? Especially when there is a 7000 acre reservation two minutes down the road with tons of paths, trails, etc. that makes for excellent walking routes.

Any thoughts?

I think its common sense that if you aren't running in the same direction as everyone else, you better at least be in the outside lanes. And you better be yielding when necessary. To be this rude, I'm guessing he's a cyclist that recently took up running.

Also, what about people who show up with their dog and 5 friends to walk around the track and take up 4 of the lanes? Is this necessary? Especially when there is a 7000 acre reservation two minutes down the road with tons of paths, trails, etc. that makes for excellent walking routes.

Death is too good for them.

Why do people do this? Is it to avoid injuring their feet or something?

Maybe they're bipolar

Now, if there's only a few people on the track, it doesn't really affect anyone to do this... but with a track pakced with people, this just seems a bit inconsiderate to me. Any thoughts?

They are products of our public school system.

Also, what about people who show up with their dog and 5 friends to walk around the track and take up 4 of the lanes? Is this necessary? Especially when there is a 7000 acre reservation two minutes down the road with tons of paths, trails, etc. that makes for excellent walking routes.

But there'd be no one to irritate and let know they own the road, because life is all about them.

I have at times also switched directions. Sometimes my knees would get sore making the same ole turns all the time, so i could easily see why others might do it for hips, ankles etc. However, I would never do it if the track was crowed, that's just rude. Larry

Why do people do this? Is it to avoid injuring their feet or something? There's this one guy at the track who switches direction every 2 laps or so. Its kind of annoying to me that I always have to pass him using the outside lane, but not a big deal at all. But last night, the track was more packed than usual (I counted 22 people walking, running or milling around when I left) and one lady who was running (pretty fast too) in the opposite direction from everyone else. Now, if there's only a few people on the track, it doesn't really affect anyone to do this... but with a track pakced with people, this just seems a bit inconsiderate to me. Any thoughts? Also, what about people who show up with their dog and 5 friends to walk around the track and take up 4 of the lanes? Is this necessary? Especially when there is a 7000 acre reservation two minutes down the road with tons of paths, trails, etc. that makes for excellent walking routes.

Basically, on an outdoor track, there really is no reason not to always run anti-clockwise. If your knees hurt then move to an outer lane where it is a more gradual turn. On an indoor track, which has much tighter turns, you can get some pains by always going the same way. I wrote some guidelines about how to determine which way to go this past Spring: http://news.runtowin.com/2008/04/11/which-direction-should-i-go-on-an-indoor-track.html I suppose that they could be applied outside as well. Basically: 1. Follow local rules - if it's posted, do what the sign says. 2. If nobody is on the track, do whatever you want (at least in terms of direction to run in.) 3. Know which lanes have runners and which have walkers (and what direction they are going in) 4. At low mileage or low speed, there's nothing to worry about, so by default just go anti-clockwise.

Wow, some great responses guys. Even though it was a slight inconvenience for me at the track I run at last night, there was something pretty cool about having that many people out there on the track at once

Isn't it counter-clockwise in the northern hemisphere, and clockwise in the southern? Has something to do with the spinning of the Earth.

Also, what about people who show up with their dog and 5 friends to walk around the track and take up 4 of the lanes? Is this necessary? Especially when there is a 7000 acre reservation two minutes down the road with tons of paths, trails, etc. that makes for excellent walking routes.

The same reason people drive their cars 5 minutes down the road to the gym. Exercise is only something that can be done in special exercise places. It's not part of normal life.