Every runner has quirks that make perfect sense to them—and none to anyone else. But that’s part of the charm.
Let’s take a peek inside the weird side of running—here are 13 of the oddest and most relatable habits we all share.
Strange pre-run rituals
Let’s start with what happens before we even step outside. Most runners have a little pre-run ritual. You’d think it’s as simple as lacing up and heading out—but no. For many of us, it turns into a full-blown ceremony.
1. Having a step-by-step gear routine
Some runners have to put on the right socks first, then lace up their sneakers in a certain way. No joke: if the knot does not fit perfectly, they can stop at the very first mile and retie the laces. And they’ll do it several times, until they feel “well, now it’s fine.”
2. Struggling with the GPS and playlist
Who hasn’t stood in the yard, hand raised to the sky, waiting for their GPS watch to lock onto a signal?
We wait for the GPS to catch, switch to our favorite playlist, and launch the tracking application. Only after all these preparations can we start!
3. Visiting the bathroom more than once
It’s a delicate topic no one talks about—but every runner gets it.
Before a run, many of us run to the restroom several times “just in case.” And still, having taken the first steps, we try to understand: “Do I really need to go again, or is it just in my head?”
Related: How to Poop Before a Run: 6 Tips to Empty Your Bowels
4. Doing a unique warm-up routine
Some runners stick to the textbook warm-up. Others… not so much. You’ll see someone bouncing on the spot like they’re about to enter a boxing ring, another clapping their hands three times “for luck,” and someone else jogging tiny circles in their driveway for reasons known only to them.
We may look ridiculous to passersby, but if it gets the legs and the mind ready, it works.
Strange habits around running gear
Runners tend to develop some quirky habits when it comes to their gear.
5. Wearing lucky clothes
Some runners have that one lucky T-shirt or pair of socks they wear to every big race. They’ve been through countless washes and hundreds of miles—but parting with them is unthinkable.
The fabric might be fraying, the logo long faded, but in our minds, they still hold the magic that got us across every finish line.
6. Keeping retired but not forgotten shoes
For some runners, old shoes never truly “retire”—they just move to a different department. Once they’re no longer fit for long runs, they become designated for errands, dog walks, or “just in case” runs that never actually happen.
Eventually, the pile grows: marathon veterans, trail warriors, and the pair that still has a faint trace of mud from that epic race three years ago. Getting rid of them isn’t an option—they’re practically part of the family.
Strange routes and mileage obsessions
Another classic runner quirk — our weird obsession with routes and distances.
7. Running to a round number
If our app or watch shows we’re a few hundred feet short of a round number, we’ll absolutely make them up. Ran 4.7 miles? We’ll jog circles around the block until it hits 5.0. Planned 10 miles but ended up at 9.8? No way we’re stopping there—how can we leave it like that?
8. Creating strange loops
Sometimes our GPS track on the map looks like a scribble. This is how we come up with routes to both gain distance and return home successfully.
Some runners avoid finishing right at home and instead run a bit farther, ending with a cool-down walk. Others start in the opposite direction for a short stretch, then turn back to make the final mileage exact.
9. Treating the route like a quest
Runners learn their surroundings well, planning routes with water fountains, avoiding unleashed dogs, or chasing the best sunset views. Some prefer running dozens of laps around the same block for safety, while others seek adventure by exploring new neighborhoods.
10. Finishing where the reward is
Some runners have a habit of finishing their run right at a café or bakery. Mile after mile leads straight to the door, where a fresh croissant or steaming cup of coffee is waiting. Ending a route with a built-in reward turns those final strides into sweet anticipation.
Addicted to gadgets and numbers
Well, where would we be without technology?
11. Living by data
We are so used to sensors and data that sometimes we seem to get lost without them. If the watch runs out, we might even postpone the run—“Well, if it’s not going to record, I’ll just go tomorrow.”
12. Chasing virtual achievements
Apps set us targets—log a certain number of miles each month, hold a specific pace, beat a personal record. It’s motivating, for sure. But sometimes those virtual goals push us into strange territory: heading out in freezing weather just to keep the progress bar intact, or running laps around the yard (see: our obsession with round numbers) simply to earn a ‘well done’ badge from Garmin.
To a non-runner, it might seem ridiculous. To us, those little badges feel like winning a prize.
13. Posting everything on Strava
“If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen.” Many runners share routes, paces, and photos online—not just to show off, but to feel part of a community. Sometimes, though, this means choosing routes for aesthetic GPS art or applying filters to pace screenshots.
Related: 25 Oddly Specific Things Runners Secretly Love
So yes, we’re a little weird. We circle the block for 0.03 miles, hoard shoes like museum pieces, wave our watches in the air to catch GPS, and wear the same lucky T-shirt again and again. That’s running—it turns us into creatures of habit, superstition, and questionable logic. And we wouldn’t have it any other way, would we?
By Lena Sage
