# Why do runners over share & bumper sticker question **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 14, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804 "2014-01-14T19:39:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/21 "2014-01-15T01:45:56Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > There is a difference in that most running races are a fixed distance, 5k, 5mi, 10k, 10mi, etc., whereas most cycling races/charity rides are just on a course. Most of the Metric centuries (100k) or centuries (100mi) that I’ve done haven’t been that _exact_ distance, either being a little over or under. The same is true for many ultras. The distances can vary by quite a bit from the listed 50 or 100 miles. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/22 "2014-01-15T01:48:47Z")
> [@Lowdown](#): > > \*You are not _running_ anything at nine-plus minutes per mile. Ah. You’re one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/23 "2014-01-15T01:52:05Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Ah. You’re one of those. Yeah, those are more annoying than the stickers by far. ---
**Author:** ![Marlonius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Marlonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlonius)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/24 "2014-01-15T02:31:59Z")
I think some people just don’t have enough going on in their lives and get obsessed with single subjects. I do triathlons and it’s the same or perhaps even worse. I know quite a few triathletes with triathlon tattoos. Personally, I don’t get it. My friends and family that know me know that I compete, and don’t need the tattoo/sticker/T-shirt etc. to fill them in. Therefore, all the show-off is for strangers or to trick new acquaintances into opening the door for one to brag. “Ironman: the hardest part is working it into every conversation.” I don’t like the idea of labeling myself in any way. It’s too limiting. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/25 "2014-01-15T02:51:23Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > It’s another [Reverse Fight Club](http://imgur.com/sZgyHuV). Holy shit. I didn’t realize the CrossFit proselytizing what a “thing.” I thought it was just one over-enthusiastic friend on Facebook, but, boy does that link ring true. I think quite literally ever second Facebook post of his is about CrossFit. What’s the deal with CrossFit that it apparently turns people into fanatics? And, yeah, I kind of find the posting of Runkeeper or similar stats on Facebook fairly annoying (although pretty much nobody does it with any regularity on my feed.) However, I post pointless crap, too, so I don’t get too annoyed unless it’s incessant. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/26 "2014-01-15T02:52:51Z")
> [@Marlonius](#): > > I don’t like the idea of labeling myself in any way. It’s too limiting. I’ve got running, skiing, biking, and hiking stickers on my car. No need to limit oneself. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/27 "2014-01-15T03:12:39Z")
I keep looking for a “.262” sticker. Can’t find one. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/28 "2014-01-15T03:17:11Z")
Meh. Seems like everything’s got something to brag about nowadays. Anything is better than those ugly family stick-figure stickers I still see on cars. That is sooo 2006, it’s not even funny. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/29 "2014-01-15T03:26:07Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I keep looking for a “.262” sticker. Can’t find one. White out. Magic marker. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/30 "2014-01-15T03:47:01Z")
> [@Los\_Anconfused](#): > > You see this with bumper stickers, too. You always see those stickers that say 26.2 or 13.1, but you never see bumper stickers that say “I bench 450” or “I squat the whole rack.” Ugh. Embarrassing admission. I’ve seen those window decals and I always thought they were some kind of a religious thing, like John 3:16. I thought it was chapter and verse of something that other very religious people would recognize. Something along the lines of “Oh! They are fans of the verse–‘So the Lord anointed them all with the oil of the holy whales’!” Or something. Well, incredibly stupid ignorance fought. (And I guess you can tell that I don’t know any runners.) ---
**Author:** ![Los\_Anconfused](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@Los\_Anconfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Los_Anconfused)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/31 "2014-01-15T03:50:05Z")
> [@BrassyPhrase](#): > > Ugh. Embarrassing admission. I’ve seen those window decals and I always thought they were some kind of a religious thing, like John 3:16. I thought it was chapter and verse of something that other very religious people would recognize. Something along the lines of “Oh! They are fans of the verse–‘So the Lord anointed them all with the oil of the holy whales’!” Or something. Well, incredibly stupid ignorance fought. (And I guess you can tell that I don’t know any runners.) Ha! That’s funny. Just so you have full knowledge – 26.2 miles is the distance of a marathon, and (as you can likely deduce) 13.1 miles is the distance of a half-marathon. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/32 "2014-01-15T03:50:48Z")
> [@Los\_Anconfused](#): > > I am a runner. With that said, I have long noticed that my runner Facebook friends are a unique brand of annoying. Not all of them --\*\* just the braggarts\*\*. These friends are always letting the world know when they ran, how far, and at what pace. I think you answered you own question, not just about running, but about pretty much any hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Los\_Anconfused](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@Los\_Anconfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Los_Anconfused)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/33 "2014-01-15T04:25:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I think you answered you own question, not just about running, but about pretty much any hobby. Well, that’s why I didn’t want to throw all runners under the bus because I know that’s it’s not all runners – just the braggarts. Yet I know a myriad of different people (weightlifters, chefs, actors, etc.) and they aren’t getting into the specifics of their hobby. The actors will say that they’re appearing in a production, they will not say, “I absolutely nailed it in the first act. Second act a bit shaky, but I pulled through with a spectacular dialogue in the third act.” Case in point, here’s a real life status in my Facebook newsfeed. What could be stated as “I absolutely love my new hobby of running” became this: \*My first full year running (I started in March 2012) went pretty darn well. I cleared 3600 miles for the year despite 4 months of being injured, ended the year with 400+ miles in December, and had my first back-to-back 400+ mile months in November and December. I also hit the 6000 mile mark since I started running, according to my log. Kind of all sorts of awesome. \* I have never seen an artist say “I’ve painted 300 portraits this year” or a weightlifter say “I’ve lifted a cumulative 84,000 lbs. this year.” ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/34 "2014-01-15T11:39:18Z")
I’m betting that accountability is at least part of the reason for runners posting distance and times (injury catalog, peri/post calorie count, and amount of bile/puke/shit/urine leakage during the run optional). Also, mileage is probably the main metric runners track. Ask someone who lifts what his/her max is for deadlift, clean, etc. They might not track cumulative poundages, but they sure as hell track PRs and maxs. A big part of CrossFit is accountability, which used to be more difficult than it is now. Most people who have been doing CF for over 3–4 years probably started by doing workouts posted on the main site — sometimes entirely in isolation in a home gym, or by really stretching the tolerance of a conventional gym — and then posting the results to the main board. Building community and holding people responsible for doing the work by posting times/scores/poundages and reactions to workouts has strong effects on participation, which is I think is a major reason why retention is better for CF than for virtually any other fitness movement I know of. I have done CF-style workouts since around 2006, and I’ve only done a total of 2 workouts in a CF gym in that time. There were literally only a handful of CF gyms in 2005–2006, and it’s grown to thousands in the last few years. So for most of the “old timers,” participation, community, and accountability means doing the workout and posting the time online. Some extended that to non-CF people. There’s also the new-convert tendency to proselytize, which has gotten more obvious as the number of CrossFitters has grown, and both the percentage and absolute numbers of newbies has gone up. As far as obnoxious posting, I had one FB “friend” from high school that I ended up blocking because he’d never post about anything other than his tennis matches, and — very occasionally — something cute his kid did or said. I didn’t mind the kid stuff, especially since I expect other people outside of my family don’t really give a rat’s ass and skip over similar posts from me, but the tennis spam started to annoy the shit out of me. IMNSHO, you know someone’s a douchebag when they have more to say about their tennis matches than their kids. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/35 "2014-01-15T13:32:40Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I keep looking for a “.262” sticker. Can’t find one. There are plenty of “2.62” stickers for sale. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/36 "2014-01-15T15:09:06Z")
> [@Los\_Anconfused](#): > > \*My first full year running (I started in March 2012) went pretty darn well. I cleared 3600 miles for the year despite 4 months of being injured, ended the year with 400+ miles in December, and had my first back-to-back 400+ mile months in November and December. I also hit the 6000 mile mark since I started running, according to my log. Kind of all sorts of awesome. \* If those numbers are real, that is impressive. Good for them and they deserve to brag. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/37 "2014-01-15T15:13:32Z")
> [@Los\_Anconfused](#): > > \*My first full year running (I started in March 2012) went pretty darn well. I cleared 3600 miles for the year despite 4 months of being injured, ended the year with 400+ miles in December, and had my first back-to-back 400+ mile months in November and December. I also hit the 6000 mile mark since I started running, according to my log. Kind of all sorts of awesome. \* There’s no way…that _has_ to be satire. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/38 "2014-01-15T15:17:08Z")
You people who think CrossFitters are the worst clearly do not know anybody doing Spartan races. CrossFitters are SECOND worst. ---
**Author:** ![Los\_Anconfused](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/aca169/32.png) [@Los\_Anconfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Los_Anconfused)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/39 "2014-01-15T15:26:56Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > There’s no way…that _has_ to be satire. No, it’s real. She never ran until about a year and a half ago, but she now puts up monster mileage and incredible times. She finished third in her age class in her first marathon and qualified for Boston. She’s an incredible runner. The only problem is that she lets you know it. Almost everyday. With mileage totals and pace. Sometimes with pictures, but that makes the bragging more tolerable because she’s hot. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2014, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804/40 "2014-01-15T15:32:59Z")
> [@Los\_Anconfused](#): > > No, it’s real. She never ran until about a year and a half ago, but she now puts up monster mileage and incredible times. She finished third in her age class in her first marathon and qualified for Boston. > > She’s an incredible runner. The only problem is that she lets you know it. Almost everyday. With mileage totals and pace. Sometimes with pictures, but that makes the bragging more tolerable because she’s hot. Wow, it sounds like she’s as gifted and talented as I am not! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-runners-over-share-bumper-sticker-question/678804.md?page=3)