Safety tips for road running

On the road you will obviously find very different conditions than on the track.  You may have to contend with dogs, distracted drivers, teens out on a joy ride, weed wackers and leaf blowers, and all kinds of obstacles.  But, that's all part of the fun!  It's why I like to call runners and cyclist "road warriors."

Not much to etiquette here.  Wave at the occasional runner or cyclist.  And I'm always surprised at the number of motorcycle riders who wave.  I guess they feel a connection to us since we are both enjoying the outdoors like people in cars just can't.

Safety begins with picking your running surface.  Asphalt is better than concrete, flat better than slanted. If you have to run on a slanted surface like the side of the road, try to make part of the run with the slant to the other direction.  This way you will even out the effect of the slant on your ankles and knees.  Though it may seem counterintuitive I recommend running in the road as opposed to on a sidewalk.  Most sidewalks have too many cracks, tripping hazards, curbs to step on and off, and kid's bicycles to hurdle.  The road is actually safer and better for your legs in my opinion.  I only run on sidewalks if there is no shoulder on the road, and sometimes even if there is.  The sidewalks in my neighborhood are so bad in some areas that I'll just take my chances with the cars.  So here are a few safety tips for running on the road.

1.  Always, always, always run facing traffic.  You want to see what is coming at you so that you have a chance to avoid any danger coming your way.  Have in your head an idea of where you are going to bail to if you see danger coming.  

2.  Never, never, never wear headphones.  You need to be able to hear the sounds of the road.  They will help you avoid danger.  It's okay to wear headphones on a closed course and surrounded by other runners, otherwise known as a race.  "But I can't run without music," you say?  Hey, I'm just telling you how to run safe, it's up to you choose what to do.

3.  Dress like a clown, run like you're invisible.  Wear bright clothing.  Fluorescent yellow, orange and green shirts are easiest for drivers to see.  But even with these clothes on, you will still be invisible to some drivers.  The problem is that they are looking for others cars, not for pedestrians.  So even if you come up to a car on a crossroad at a stop sign and the driver seems to make eye contact with you, assume that he hasn't seen you.  It may just appear that you made eye contact.  Often, the driver has looked right through you and is only watching the traffic.  It is best to stop and wave the car on, or run around behind the car.

4.  Only cross the road at stop signs and stop lights.  Also, cross at crosswalks whenever possible.  

5.  Never assume you have the right of way over a car.  My rule of thumb is the heavier of 2 objects always has the right of way.  150 pound me never has the right of way over 2000 pounds of Detroit steel.

6.  Carry ID every time you run.  "Road ID" is a fantastic product that you can get for about $20.  You get a ankle or wrist bracelet that has phone numbers and medical info on it.  A Road ID speaks for you when you can't speak for yourself.  www.roadid.com

7.  Run with a partner when you can.  If you run alone, always let someone know where you are going.  Mandy knows my 4 mile, 5 mile, and 11 mile, and 13 mile routes.  I either tell her which one I am running, or write it on the white board on the refrigerator.  If I'm going to use a new route, I map it out on www.mapmyrun.com and leave it up on the computer.

8.  Be predictable.   Don't weave in and out of parked cars or make sudden moves into the road.

It may seem that road running is just too dangerous.  You can minimize the risk involved by remaining aware as you run.  I'm willing to take the risks involved, circles on the track or hours on the treadmill get boring after a while.  I've spent up to 2 1/2 hours on a treadmill at times, and it's not something I ever look forward to doing.  The same amount of time on the road seems to go by so much faster.


Be alert, be visible, be predictable.  Be a road warrior!