Your heart is pounding. The sweat is dripping down your back. You breathing quickens and the lactic acid begins to build in your legs. You can feel your body working and you begin to enter that flow state.
This is an especially challenging run and the last thing you’re focused on are other people around you. You’re aware of your body, your breath, and making it through that next mile…maybe just the next step. Then you see another runner approaching from the distance. You feel you don’t have the energy to muster up a ‘hello’. But as you pass, you exchange a nod, a smile, and manage to a small ‘good morning’.
Immediately you’re reinvigorated….reenergized.
Have you ever experienced a moment like this?
A small interaction that leaves you feeling fulfilled, motivated, and part of a larger running community as a whole. I live for moments like these when I’m running and only recently have discovered how powerful they can truly be.
Overall, I am a solitary runner. I like running alone, keeping to myself, and having some time to just spend with my thoughts. I keep my head down (unless I am going by a fellow runner!), my eyes forward, and mostly use it as a time to do some hard thinking. I like this type of activity in a world where we’re always connected, always chatting, and always surrounded by others. It’s my me time. A time of solitude.
I do break away from my ‘me time’ in one way while I run, however. I always make sure to greet fellow runners. This simple gesture takes me out of my head for a moment and reminds me that as runners we’re never truly alone. We’re technically on out there on our own and purely driven by internal motivation and will…but in the grander scheme, we’re part of a larger global community of runners that can relate to us in more ways than we know.
When you partake in a small exchange with a fellow runner, you immediately feel connected. You both know what the other is experiencing right at that moment and you feel less alone in your own attempts to reach your training goals.
I wasn’t always this way, unfortunately. For many years, I really kept to myself while out pounding the pavement. Sure, I would acknowledge another runner if they said something to me. But for the most part I never initiated an interaction on my own.
Luckily, my mindset has shifted over the years and I’ve discovered how powerful a small ‘hello’ or wave between runners can actually be.
As much as, I’d like to say I am highly self-motivated, there are definitely runs where I struggle and feel like quitting from the moment I start. It’s runs like these where interacting with other runners is especially helpful. Sometimes an initial hello leads to words of encouragement, like ‘great pace’ or ‘keep it up’. These sentiments might seem small and insignificant, but to me that provide just enough external drive to give me confidence in my abilities to finish out my run. Hearing kind words, or even just being acknowledged, by a fellow runner fills me with immediate elation. It’s like having your own personal cheering squad or being part of a secret club that can totally relate to the battle you’re fighting.
Even on the days where I am feeling good, energized, and strong on my runs, greeting other runners does something amazing for me. Say I see a runner who seems to be struggling, breathing heavy, battling the heat (or cold), or in some sort of physical agony, a small smile or ‘hello’ can change their whole demeanor.
Suddenly their expression shifts. They perk up. They feel like someone has acknowledged and appreciates the healthful decision they’ve made for themselves to get out there and be active. Knowing that you’ve positively affected them in some way then affects how the rest of your run goes…or at least for me it does.
Humans thrive on communication and interaction. In some way, we’re all apart of a global community and acknowledging one another, even in small ways, on a daily basis can feed our need for human connection. It’s nice to feel noticed, it’s nice to be acknowledged, and frankly, it’s nice to be reminded that there are friendly people in the world.
So next time you’re out on a run, doesn’t matter if it feels like the best of your life or the worst, take a moment away from your thoughts to say hello to your fellow runners. A nod, a smile, and a warm ‘good morning’ will uplift you in way you’d never imagine. Even if it’s not reciprocated, knowing you’re radiating positivity and friendliness will fill you with joy for the rest of your miles. Maybe even for the rest of the day! 🙂
Do you connect with fellow runners (or other exercisers) during your workouts?
Do you like working out with others or on your own?
Have you ever had a positive change in mood just from a small interaction with a stranger?
If you’re ever out in Buffalo and see me running, SAY HI! I’ll always respond with a smile, a nod, or a hello right back atcha! 🙂

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Yes, I LOVE nodding or waving to someone else who is out there on the road. Even though we don’t often speak much, it is comforting to know that I’m not the only one out there. And they give me that little bit of motivation to run a bit faster. 🙂
It’s a great ‘community’ to be a part of!
love this. simple words can definitely be very powerful <33
Thanks Sarah!! <3
I love seeing other runners when I am out for a run. I almost always give them a little wave.
I feel like I’m in a secret club! 🙂
OMG I am notoriously bad at saying hello during races! I started racing on trails where the community is really friendly and encouraging even while competing. The last half marathon I did was an out and back course so I saw everyone behind me on the way back…and I cheered for them almost to the point of exhaustion. My friend after the race said that if I didn’t waste energy cheering for others I would have won X-) Oh well, I like the feeling of talking to people so I’d rather do that than get a few seconds of a faster time
SAME HERE! My last half was out and back and it was so cool seeing so many friendly faces as I was pushing myself the second leg! 🙂
Thank you for posting this! I too smile/nod/wave/say hello as I pass other runners and walkers…maybe it’s the “Midwest Nice” coming out of me. But I find it’s really disheartening when that is not returned. How hard is it to nod or wave?? Glad I’m not the only one 🙂
Very motivational article. I loved your outlook on this!
Thank you Marissa!
So true – it’s like you’re in a secret club as well. The same happens when I’m out cycling – and just that little interaction gives such a big boost, and is always welcome.
Yes!! This is definitely applicable to other sports and activities!!
I feel the EXACT same way you do about running. I have two kids so running is my ‘me time’ my alone time… I have to have music and I love just disappearing into my thoughts. I really feel like I need to run to stay sane! I am very introverted and shy and a bit of a loner so it doesn’t come naturally to smile or wave or even nod, but I really try to because its just the polite thing to do and it is nice to feel a connection with another runner.
That’s great that you’ve been able to use running as a little escape for yourself! Parenting two kids is definitely hard work so you deserve that time away! 🙂
I think you’re totally right When I am exercising or walking, if someone says hello or even just nods and smiles, it makes me feel good and gives me a boost. I try to say hello to everyone.
Same here! It’s amazing what a little acknowledgment of others can do for you and them!
I love smiling at other runners on the trail. I feel like we’re all in this together and it makes life in general just feel less daunting. My fave is when a passerby smiles, I smile back, and sometimes I even get a fist pump or a thumb’s up! I almost feel like crying.
It’s so true–we have no idea what another person is going through on a daily basis–and those little smiles of kindness just to acknowledge everyone’s existence is so important.
And I totally understand about the solitary thing! That’s one of the reasons I’m not a big fan of group exercise classes–even Yoga classes. I prefer to do my own flow at home and go at my own pace. I deal with enough anxiety and crap from my own brain–I don’t need others’ chatter and voices to bother me–lol.
Also–just curious–are you lately these days listening to music or are you still enjoying podcasts? I’d love to hear what kind of music you’ve been rocking to. Have a great rest of your week girl!
XOXO
Still on the podcast bandwagon! I am OBSESSED. And I keep finding new ones! I listened to music for my half marathon and I can send you that playlist if you’re interested! Just send me an email! 🙂
I *always* say hi to other runners. When I lived in Canada, they always said hi back and I loved the high I would get it from it. It’s a different story here… I get the occasional hello back, I sometimes get a grunt, but most of the time, I’m ignored. I used to let it get me down and even my energy would suffer a bit, but now I just let it roll off my back.
I had a random runner once high five me as we passed each other – it was the best!
OMG yes! I love the random high five! I got one the other day on a long run from a guy who wasn’t even running! Just a really happy guy with a huge smile walking down the street! 🙂
Just read this to my kids as a way to remind them the power of their words and the power of their smile! Awesome!
Wow that means so much to me that you would share my post with your children! Thank you so much!
I’m a long-distance walker (training for my 5th full marathon) and I agree… just a brief connection with a fellow runner/walker makes all the differences. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
Of course!!
I’m definitely a hello-er, whether I’m walking or running for exercise or just walking from place to place. When Jesse first moved here, it weirded him out because no one does that in Louisiana (as I learn everytime we go back – people look at me like I have three heads haha) but we live in a friendly neighbourhood where everyone greets eachother, even if you don’t know them!
Yes I guess it does depend on the place you live! People around me are generally very friendly so I think they appreciate a small exchange of greetings! 🙂
I think that the hello’s make a person feel like they’re part of a club or community, and humans certainly do thrive on connection and belonging. I work out on my own because following YouTube videos in my house is free, but a small, simple kindness from a stranger definitely will make my day.
Thanks Grace! I agree. 🙂
I love this post! It’s funny how connected you can feel in such a brief and passing interaction, but it really does make a huge difference.
I totally agree!
This is interesting. I run every Saturday morning on a running trail. I acknowledge each runner that goes by but never even get a nod from them. It’s the folks on the bikes who are the friendliest and are always saying hello!
If you ever see me running, it’s probably to catch one of my escaping children. 😉 But back when I did run for exercise, I ran with friends. Regardless, I definitely agree. We need to be more friendly. 🙂
I never really thought of the ‘exercise greetings’ like this before. But you are absolutely right. I always say hello or nod to other cyclists or runners when I’m out on my bike. It does make you feel like you are part of a community, but I really never thought of it that way. I will now! Thanks for sharing your article on ‘LifeLovingLinkie. Hope to see you again next week.
Sally @ Life Loving
I’ll definitely be back! 🙂
I always say hello when I am out running. I like being friendly to other people.
Me too!! It’s such an easy way to connect with another runner. 🙂