New shoes and non-wavers

As promised, I completely buried my funk in a new pair of shoes that I can already tell are faster.  Really they are - I've scientifically proven it.  Alright so maybe there's no science behind it but I've been feeling awfully fleet of foot lately and that's all that matters, right?  The weather has been perfect and I've even caught myself perusing the race directories looking for a local 5K this weekend.  

For the past few days I've managed to get my runs in during the evening in that 6:30ish - 8:00ish slot which seems to be a popular time for runners in general.  I guess the low humidity hasn't hurt either.  I often run at odd times, late at night or in the middle of the day so I rarely cross paths with other runners but when I do I always find myself trying to answer the age-old question as to why some runners just refuse to acknowledge me as a fellow runner.  This troubles me a lot less now than it used to because I'm way past seeking acceptance or validation from the running community at large.

I guess I've always seen runners, no matter how fast or slow, as a group bound together by commitment, determination, perseverance, work ethic, and <insert a number of other admirable qualities here>.  You don't have to be an elite runner to have a strong work ethic - commitment isn't measured by how short your shorts are, and determination isn't a function of by pace.  I'm a waver from way back and for me it's simply a token of mutual respect for a fellow runner as our paths cross.  And I use the term 'wave' loosely to mean any form of acknowledgement - head nod, smile, or my favorite........the point.  Sometimes I even give it a double point if I'm feeling especially nostalgic.

Over the past few years I've taken it upon myself to conduct a series of tests, all funded out of my own pocket, to determine the runner population most likely, and least likely to acknowledge a relatively seasoned 40 year old male runner.  It is worth noting that the subject runner appears (and acts) younger to the untrained eye and ranks a solid 7.7 on a scale of 1 - 10.  That said, it seems that runners are more active in the morning but it's worth noting that my morning runner group experience is extremely limited because I just can't drag myself out of bed.  However in my experience the morning running population is an extremely sprightly bunch and seems to value the company of other early risers as much, if not more than the company of other runners.  Nonetheless, they acknowledge me and I can appreciate that.  

The midday runners for the most part are idiots like me.  During the summer it's insanely hot and humid in the south and we're often trying to hammer out a 6+ mile run and grab a bite to eat during a 'normal' lunch hour.  This group is usually not the most social bunch in the world but being a small group the familiarity combined with the respect of another runner getting crushed by the heat leads to a fairly high success rate.  Roughly 2 of 3 runners will offer some form of acknowledgement.

Now in the evening it's a whole new ballgame and a very fickle bunch.  You've got running clubs, neighborhood groups, first-timers, old-timers, young runners, show-off runners, really fast runners, power walkers, and everything in between.  You'll be hard pressed to reach a 50% success rate with this melting pot.  The running clubs will always show some form of acknowledgement, especially if they're affiliated with a running store but it's in their best interest to embrace every person that's ever thought about being remotely active.  The neighborhood runners are generally chatting it up about nothing so there's a good chance they aren't even going to look up, but if they do, more than likely you'll get a smile.  

First-timers probably deserve a pass because they are really just trying to make it back to the car without getting run over or having a heart attack.  I also think there's a certain amount of insecurity that comes with being a newbie and running anywhere in the general vicinity of other runners.  I mean let's face it, we all went on our first run at some point and runners by nature have an air of arrogance about them that can't be denied.  Obviously that doesn't apply to me but most of you fitness fanatics with your runner lean bodies just look like pricks - even though most of you are super nice and really cool.  But anyway, I'm digressing again, just know that most newbies aren't waving.  I always make a point of saying hello or waving to these folks because I've been there and I know that person running their first 2 or 3 miles is often putting forth a lot more effort than some regulars dropping 10 garbage miles just to get them in.  If you look like you're running because your boyfriend just dumped you and you're hellbent on finding a replacement within the week so you're trying to drop 10 lbs. I excluded  you from my study.  You won't be running next week anyway.

Old-timers are awesome.  They are my favorite group and the older I get the more I respect them.  Some have been running for decades and I knowing how I feel in the morning I can only imagine what their mornings are like.  Others decide that by choice or by necessity that if they want to live longer they are going to have to live healthier and begin exercising.  Either way, maintaining or starting an activity with the intensity and physical demands of running well into the 50's and 60's is amazing.  And I hesitate to even throw 50's in the mix because there are some blazing fast 50+ guys around here that I would never refer to as old-timers.  All rambling aside, old-timers wave.

Young runners.....not so much.  I don't know if it's ego or ignorance or both.  I guess it could be intensity and focus but regardless - I wouldn't get your hopes up.  I still acknowledge the kids and individually you might get every other one to acknowledge you but if you cross paths with a team, forget it.  Keep in mind we're talking a 40 yr. old dude running by predominately 18-22 yr. old guys.  My guess is that if these same kids found themselves crossing paths with an attractive female there would be some form of acknowledgement however indecent.

Show-off runners are pretty much douche bags so I'm not sure why I'm giving them press.  Look at me considering my banter as 'press' as if more than 2 or 3 people actually make it down this far.  Anyway, by show-off I don't mean really fit dudes that run shirtless or guys that hammer out 6 minute mile training runs.  I'm really talking more about the guy that comes barreling out of the Planet Fitness parking lot and runs a 90 second 400 down the busiest street in town at 5:00 on a Friday afternoon, stops to shake the lactate acid from his legs and catch his breath, then runs another 90 second 400 back to PF.  Really?!  Is that necessary?  And no I'm not jealous.  First of all if you want to sprint, find a field and run some 100s.  If you want to do speed work go to a track and consider running more than 1/2 mile.  But whatever you do, spare me that silly Eye of the Tiger look.  Anyway, that dude isn't waving - and neither am I, but I'll probably chuckle a bit. 

Really fast runners I guess have earned the right to do whatever they want.  Some wave, most don't, but I get it.  The only exception is when there is a weather bond.  For example if you're running in a torrential downpour, sweltering heat, or snow you'll more than likely get a, "Well hello there Mr. Runner.  Good to see I'm not the only idiot running today."  Otherwise, it's probably not happenin'.

The power walkers take some warming up to but eventually they come around.  This relationship is really all about how you navigate the sidewalk.  Somewhere in the sidewalk bylaws it states that two women walking side by side may remain side by side with no regard for runners coming or going in any given direction.  As such, it's important to respect a walkers right to the sidewalk above all else and proceed with caution around them while allowing a generous distance of at least 4 feet from this moving human fence.  But really after a few times of respecting a walkers right to the sidewalk they will, in turn, express their gratification by periodically acknowledging your presence.

In summary, the debate will rage on long after my studies have come to and end and there will likely never be a consensus on running etiquette as it relates to waving.  I know some very nice people that run and simply choose not to wave.  And that's fine.  At the end of the day this, like most everything else I write is all about me and I am, and will always be, a waver.  Now that I've gone on record I expect any of you part-time or no time wavers to begin excluding me from your silliness and when I point, or give you the head nod - if you would kindly reciprocate it would be most appreciated.  Your acknowledgement of other runners (or lack thereof) is of no concern to me :)