Before I even begin writing this, let me go ahead and apologize for any harsh language that I may use. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that I know my dear sweet Grandmother reads this blog, this post would probably be filled with enough obscenities to make you think that a truck-driving sailor was the author.
I just got home from a horrible run. My normal route takes me by a middle school, and my run today happened to be at the same time that this school was letting out. Everywhere that I looked, kids were milling around... on the school grounds, in the parking lot, and on the sidewalks and roads for blocks and blocks down the street. It was the kids on the sidewalk that gave me some trouble. They all seemed to be walking in small groups, usually 3 or 4 wide, and they were pretty much blocking the sidewalk. As I would get close to them, I would announce, "Coming up behind you!" in the hope that at least one of them would scoot over just a little bit. It was the third group that I came up behind that shocked me to the core. I gave my warning that I was running up behind them, and one of the boys turned around, looked me square in the eyes and said, "F*ck you, b*tch." I nearly fell off the curb of the sidewalk into the street because I was stunned. I kept on running, shaking my head in disgust, when what I really wanted to do was to punch the kid in his teeth. I mean, I was expecting a reply like, "Oh, excuse me." I certainly wasn't expecting to hear what I heard! I was about three blocks further down the street when I saw another young boy that was bent over behind his bicycle. I assumed he was having bike trouble until I got closer to him. Nope, he wasn't having trouble. Today is garbage pick-up day for our neighborhood, and he was tying someone's trash can to the back of his bike. He then proceeded to pedal away, laughing, while he drug it about half a mile down the road. I swear if I knew who the kid was or where he lived that I would be knocking on his door right now to make sure that his mother knows what a little sh*t he is. Seriously, what is wrong with these kids? Is this what I can expect Reagan to start learning and picking up on when she is in school? Or am I just over-reacting?
Since I have only been back in the running scene for about a month, and since this is the first time that I have ever encountered this type of problem, can any of you seasoned runners please tell me what is the proper etiquette? Should I announce that I am coming up behind someone on a sidewalk, or should I just step down into the street to go around them?
I need to go cool off (literally!) so I can get ready to go pick up Momsey and Pops from the airport in just a few hours. Thank goodness I have that to look forward to and to cheer me up!
- Paging Doctor Mommy
- British Columbia, Canada
- First and foremost, let me make it clear that I AM NOT A DOCTOR! However, I may as well be one. My daughter calls me Doctor Mommy, my nephew will not allow anyone but me to remove slivers/splinters from his hands, and my husband calls me the family pharmacist. So when I decided to make some changes to our family blog, Paging Doctor Mommy seemed like the perfect fit! And we’ve certainly had our fair share of medical dramas around here. Reagan was hospitalized with RSV for 17 days, she suffered severe second and third degree burns to the bottom of her feet, and she received 8 stitches above her left eye all before she was even two years old. And let’s not forget that my husband had to have three back surgeries (only one of which was planned) in less than three months! Besides playing Doctor, I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. I am a Carolina Girl who is living in a Canadian world. I am a full time stay-at-home mom and a part time wedding planner/bridal assistant. I am addicted to Starbucks coffee, I count Weight Watchers points like a crazed lunatic, I love to read, I love to run, I love the beach, and I crave the sun.
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9 comments:
Hey I run too! ha! Today is my 'second day'. ha ha ha
I know that's just hilarious to you REAL runners, right? I run one mile and then I feel like I'm gonna fall over dead. Hey, it's only day 2. I'll get better.
Sorry you had a bad day. Enjoy your parents visit!!!
I don't run so I cant give you any real advice about proper running etiquette but I can tell you I would be HIGHLY ticked too. I don't think you are overreacting at all. As us Southerners would say, "They need their mouths washed out with soap!" Enjoy your visit. I enjoyed reading your blog. =)
Hate those bad days. I think your etiquette is correct, at least when I manage to get in a run not on a treadmill, that's what I do. I avoid the middle school routes but I've found the high school kids quite cooperative, dare I say encouraging? Maybe they make fun of the junk in my trunk as I pass.
Oh my gosh! I would be so ticked off too!
I don't have any etiquette tips for you but just wanted to say wow! haha
What the heck is with kids these days. I think the parents have to be at least partly to blame. I never spoke like that to anyone mostly because I knew I'd get popped in the mouth if I ever said something that hprrible to anyone! I think discipline is sorely lacking these days. Many parent want to be their kid's buddy and not the parental figure their kids need. Ugh. I hope that doesn't happen to you again.
Oh when I run, i usually just say coming up on your left (or right) when I'm approaching someone. Civilized people usually move. :o)
I'm sorry to hear you had to deal with this! Kids were pretty bad when I was in high school but I didn't think they were that rude to adults. It's hard to believe that that much of a cultural shift has happened in so few years. Maybe you'll have to create a new route just to avoid the school or go earlier to avoid the kids there. Don't worry about Reagan (hope I spelled her name right). She'll learn those things in school but probably won't act them out. After all...she has you as a mom and just from this post I can tell you won't put up with it. )))HUGS(((
Ugghhh! I'm so sorry it was such a crappy run due to some young punk kids. I'm sure you set out excited for the run, only to be discouraged by today's youth.
When I'm running, I always call out "On your left". Almost always people move out of the way. I guess when approaching "questionable" people, I would then just go out of my way to avoid them.
Hey Tiff,
I only run if someone is chasing me (seriously, with a large sharp knife) but I know what you mean about kids these days. lol did I really just say "kids these days" When I go to the grocery store on base I am always seeing these really young girls dressed really...um what word am I looking for here.... oh yea, slutty. Which is double bad on base since the navy barracks are right next store! Sometimes I just want to pick up my kids and move really far out into the country and homeschool them. Of course then I remember that I also would like them to do stuff like math. I mean really I cant even get my kids to say please and thank you all the time, I dont think I should be trying to teach them the really important (you need to know this so you wont be illiterate stuff).
Oops, sorry went on a bit of a rant there. I even talk to much on the computer!!! lol
Next time just try to remember that they are just punks that probably get ignored at home and decided to take it out on you.
That's HORRIBLE! I know what you mean - I had a little discussion with teens that were littering ... and got into it with them - but they picked up the d* can off the roadway.
I would just look behind you and see if anyone's coming - in the way of a semi or car and If not just step out into the street to pass these kids - I'm sure that if any have that young man's attitude - you'll have to put up with MORE verbal abuse.
What's wrong with kids today - do you have an hour?
Partly it's that no one's out watching kids anymore ... such as KNOWING who they are and where they live. I saw some young kids climb over a gate and go into an abandoned house. I told them - Hey - no trespassing and they said - there's no sign - I said by the fact that you had to climb over that fence/gate - THAT'S trespassing ... I think I may have scared them.
I just walked off fuming! But maybe they understood something of what I said.
Problem - no adults out to rebuke and no one knows where anyone lives anymore ... hence no oversite. :( very sad! The cops have to deal with them someday.
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