Nothing irks me more than waving or acknowledging fellow runners while I am running and not having the favor returned. This is something that has been building up inside me ever since I started running. And it's not just other runners, it's the walkers and dog-walkers, too. Or anyone else who is out at the crack of dawn trying to squeeze in some exercise. Whenever I pass by any of the aforementioned people, I almost always acknowledge them, be it a wave, a nod, a smile..sometimes I manage a "good morning". I think it's curteous in the least.
But when they do not wave or nod or smile back, well that just makes Jessie ANGRY! Why do you refuse to acknowledge me or, for all I know, anyone else you pass by? I know for a fact that running with an iPod does not decrease vision. I know that I can still see all around me, including You, the runner or the walker dead ahead. What, are you in the zone and didn't see me? Fat chance buddy, we've been running towards each other for the past minute at least. Focused on listening to your power song? I might be too. But you know what else powers me through? You, waving..or nodding, acknowledging that hey, we're both in this together and yeah, it sucked dragging our butts out of warm beds to run or walk on this cold morning, but look at us go!
Sometimes it's the small things that make or break my runs. Acknowledging fellow runners is, I think, the smallest of small things. It's the easiest thing and possibly the kindest thing to do, yet so many people don't. And frankly I just don't get it. However, there is something to be said for energy I unleash am able to channel into my runs when frustration builds up inside me as I pass one runner after another and they run blankly by.
[Runner's World had a nice article about this recently]
