Why Do People Heckle Runners?

Every runner has heard the typical lines from hecklers:

"Nice shorts!"

"Run Forest, Run!"

"Agggghhhhhh" (usually the drunk person leaning half way out of the car window)

Overall, very few are creative, and some are downright appalling (I'm not going to include those, but it's shocking what some people will scream out their car window).

But no matter what is said, it's amusing to see how proud people can be the moment after delivering a really long, "Runnnn" in their Alabama accent. Forget the fact that it's mostly kids who use the famous movie line and weren't old enough to talk when the film first came out.

I often wonder what people think after they've delivered a line like "nice shorts!" Do they high five their friends and seek congratulations for their perfect delivery? Do they beam with a smile, proud at their ability of screaming out the car window at a perfect stranger? I'm guessing it's a combination of both.

Usually when I hear these lines, I just keep on running. Of course, some of them catch me off guard and I jump a little bit, unsure where the disruptive noise is coming from. I'm sometimes annoyed for a second, but I never give them anything back. While I'm running I'm in own world with me own thoughts, and I want that world to be peaceful.

But mostly, I feel sorry for these folks. Imaging when heckling a runner is a highlight of someone's day - how sad is that. If they could only experience the great feelings that come with running or working out, imagine how much better they'd feel.

So here's my question: are these people heckle runners? Are they angry or jealous?