No matter where you run you have to avoid obstacles, but what do you do when that obstacle is a human being? You want to stop for the least amount of time possible, but you have to be careful not to offend them or hurt their feelings. I saw one runner forced to stop and see a newborn about 20 meters from the finish of a 5K the other day! It was horrible. I’m was very sorry that she was not able to avoid that human obstacle. That is why I am sharing with you some tactics to help avoid human obstacles.
Cross the Street: The most effective way to avoid stopping to talk to someone while running is to keep running. There are many variations of this technique. If you are able to spot the potential human obstacle quick enough, you can run to the opposite side of the street as if that was your plan all along. However, if you aren’t careful, it can be very obvious that you are trying to avoid the human obstacle. Remember, human obstacles are very sensitive. With the high level of risk, only use this tactic if you don’t care about potentially offending your obstacle.
Wave and Run: This is a popular move and can be used for most of your human obstacles. If you have a close relationship with the person or they are a runner too, they will understand that you need to continue your run, but they still want to be acknowledged. Give them some eye contact, a wave, and maybe a smile then continue on your run. Your obstacle will feel good and you’ll be on your way!
Keep Jogging in Place: If you get stopped by a human obstacle don’t give up. Let them know that continuing to move is important to you. As you converse, keep jogging in place, bouncing up and down as they try to hold a conversation. Most human obstacles will get the hint and keep it brief. If not, they’ll eventually get annoyed trying to maintain eye contact with your bouncing body.
Don’t Catch Your Breath: Try not to catch your breath. You want to make your human obstacle know that they are stopping you in the middle of an intense work out. Keep emphasizing your breathes and breathe as hard as you can. They may understand or they may just get frustrated with talking to a heavy breather. Either way, you win!
Check Your Pulse: If you are trapped by your human obstacle the best way to get out of it is to start checking your pulse by pressing two fingers against your neck and counting softly. This will show them that you are serious about your run. Your human obstacle needs to know that every minute they keep you from running is a decreased heartrate and a lessened work out for you. If they still don’t get the hint, put two fingers against their neck and check their pulse. Start talking about the differences in your two pulses to show them that you are in the middle of an intense work out.
People are important, but runners are people too. We just need to be aware of each other’s interests. Feel free to share any other techniques you use to avoid talking to people while running. It feels good to share.