Today we are talking about snarky people! What a topic, right? We all know them, we all have them in our friendship circles and sometimes in our families. And as a runner, sometimes it can be a little annoying to deal with over and over again. Usually these people don’t really understand why you run so much or why you are so motivated to do what you do. SO…here are some ways you can just have a little FUN with your snarky friends…family members…and loved ones.
–Understand that sometimes these people just want to get a reaction out of you. They know you are passionate about your sport and so they kind of want to see how you will react to what they are saying. Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all. A lot of my friends like to joke that I run 100 miles at 3 am every morning or something along those lines. Clearly this is not the case, but it is what it is…so sometimes I just don’t react because I really DGAF. I run for me…not for them, for social media, or for hand claps. Nuff said.
–Laugh with them!! Don’t take yourself so seriously. Runners are indeed serious people sometimes (and a lot of times we are Type A personalities) so it can be easy to get a little mucho competitive. Most of us are not olympians nor are getting paid to do what we do. We just do it for the love. So laugh at yourself, life is not that serious. Laugh it off or find some witty comeback and move it right along.
–Ask some of the skeptics to come run with you sometime! Usually this shuts them right on up because most of them don’t run. But a lot of them truly are inspired by your running so you keep just doing what you do.
–Respond with love. Love trumps snark every time. Keep your replies to them on the up and up and it will be easy to blow off whatever it is that they are saying.
–Focus on the good. For the most part we all have positive people in our lives that makes running that much more amazing. A lot of the good can be found in running groups and that is why I love being in them. Find YOUR people…and there is usually less snark and more support and encouragement. That is what the running community is all about.
Real talk time! How do you deal with rude/overly critical/or snarky people as a runner? Or are you that snarky person?? Bring it on! I like me a little snark from time to time.
thedancingrunner 
I don’t mind the snarky stuff at all. In fact, I welcome it! I was always taught you have to take it if you’re going to dish it out, and I do love to dish it out. It’s all in good fun.
Yep!! Thanks for your comment!
I usually just reply I couldn’t understand what they said due to all the huffing and puffing they were doing from getting up off the couch.
Haaaa love that!!
Working for myself with a focus on adventure throughout my social media, I sometimes get the impression people think I don’t work hard – or at all lol.
I love that I get to make my own schedule (most of the time), but reality is that running in the mornings almost always means I’m working later at night!
I hear ya…social media can be interesting as people only really share highlights of their lives…I just prefer to share the fitness side as my full time job in television is pretty hectic and high stress, I love it but it’s kind of high profile. But yes, everyone posts for different reasons! I enjoy what you post always!! Making your own schedule I bet can be an amazing thing!!
I usually just ignore them – they aren’t worth my time!
Best reaction is no reaction at all!! 🙂 🙂
I can’t answer from a runner’s point of view, but all these tips are tried, tested and true. Snarky people snark either because they want to try what you are doing and think they can’t so they snark. Or, they want that reaction from you that is best to just ignore.
Indeed. Perfectly said, love that! 🙂
From the running / health perspective, honestly, I try to limit the number of people that I discuss my training or diet with. There are few people outside of the running/fitness community whose input I care about so I really just don’t talk about it with people who I think will just irritate me! It’s easier than trying to get an unwilling/ uninterested person to hear me out and understand why I choose to spend X amount of time running or working out or eating a certain way. (But then I’m not above wearing a skirt that shows off my legs or a top that accentuates my shoulder/arm muscles to prove a point to someone particularly irritating next time I know that I’ll see them, lol)
Sexy runner’s legs baby!! Gotta love it.
I can match snark for snark!! However, most of the time I let it go and wait til I’m with the Hubs in the car and then he gets the FULL ON snark!!
Funny!!!
I love when people tell me as a woman I shouldn’t run alone. That’s when I ask them “ok what time are you coming to run with me?” Then they reply that they don’t run, to which I say “Ok, well I don’t have a reserve of people in my back pocket to up and run whenever I want”
Get it girl!! I hear ya!