Post #2054604

2026-05-06 01:16 UTC

Ever done really long runs or swims + while you were at it, you become convinced someone is running behind you, you sense someone, but there is no one there when you look? It happens to me swimming long distances, too. I start to think someone&#39;s fingers are almost touching my kicking toes in the water-but no one this there. Either way, the Phantom Runner is a known phenomenon. I like to try to make it more pleasant and less serial killer like, by imagining it means running with your ancestors

Replies (4)

@Thoreau@mas.to 2026-05-06 01:24

It has a special weird feeling to it. I think it wakes up some part of your brain that is eternally trying to survive a persistance predator. Maybe its a dopamine high from the running. Maybe it is your ancestors running with you like the train of a comet. There are some science fiction movies that create a similar feel where they create a Third Man who talks to the hero in stressful situations on space(who is not really there). Do you think Aliens, as a concept, are just our Third Man?

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@falcennial@mastodon.social 2026-05-06 01:25

@Thoreau I love that take! I didn't know it was in the water as well, wow. I get the phantom runner too and I have identified that it is caused by the echo of my own footfalls. it's really pervasive! and it explains why runners jump out of our skin when someone overtakes 🤣🤣🤣

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@experimentmapass@social.trom.tf 2026-05-06 01:24

@Thoreau Never

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@robparsons@mastodon.social 2026-05-06 20:26

@Thoreau and what if your ancestors were serial killers? 🤔

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