Did you know that November is National Running Safety Month?
Given my recent too-close-for-comfort encounter with a runner at dusk just the other day (I was driving and she was in ninja black with no reflective gear!) – I feel inspired to share a few tips/reminders to stay safe while out for your next run!
Put some light on! — Thanks to the end of Daylight Savings Time, many are now forced to log their miles in the dark. I could barely see the ninja runner because she had no reflective gear on. Reflective gear is critical! You could also consider wearing a headlamp or carrying a small flash light so you can be seen and, (just as important) so you can see what’s on the road in front of you, avoiding a potential fall.
Run against traffic — My other complaint about the ninja runner I encountered the other day was that she was running in the same direction as the traffic. As a runner you have to be on the defensive, and not being able to see an approaching car because it’s coming up behind you is a recipe for disaster.
Carry ID — I never head out without my Road ID! Whether you own a similar type of runner I.D. or choose to carry your license, in the event of an emergency, an ID could be your most important piece of gear.
Tell the when and where — If you are going to be running solo, let someone know your route and when you expect to be back.
Turn down the tunes — There’s no denying that running without headphones is the safest way to go. But, if you are like me and tunes are a must for your run, then please turn the tunes down and run with just one earbud in. Be aware of your surroundings!
What safety tip would you add?
Cool, I didn’t know it was National Running Safety Month (I knew it was Diabetes Awareness Month because I had to make change the bulletin board at work!) Great tips. I hope everyone reading takes your advice!
Oh wow she wore BLACK??? SO so bad. Yes to all of the above. I was almost hit, (heck I made contact with the car so I guess technically I was hit) running in the snow once (broad daylight) I was wearing neon yellow. The driver was turning right and I was coming from the right against traffic. He never stopped at the stop sign and he never looked to his right; only left.
So my advice is for runners to be wary of this and for drivers to look right even when they’re turning right. Scary.
Wow Marcia that’s crazy! The whole “right on red” without looking is a huge pet-peeve of mine with drivers! I was almost hit last year by a driver in the same way.
I dont run but I WALK WALK WALK and always sans tune.
I find I cant TUNE INTO what and who is around me when Im blasting.
So true – I’m learning more and more to run without tunes – just too risky!
Yes to all of the above, plus I always have my phone. I’ve used it once, when I needed a ride home when I bonked after 8 miles and I was still 5 miles away from home.
ahh great tips. every time I get close to a runner, it reminds me that i need to be more responsible for my safety when running cause most drivers honestly just aren’t alert. I make eye contact a lot before crossing roads
Good point about making eye contact with drivers – never safe to assume they see you!
These are great tips! I’m always shocked by all the ninja runners with headphones! I’m a pansy though, once it’s dark, I use the treadmill instead.
Oh I’m right there with you – running in the dark unnerves me just a little 🙂
Definitely wear COLOR and try to run with someone. I like the never swim alone approach to running!
In the last year or so I’ve gotten much more comfortable running with others – definitely safety in numbers!
Those are good pieces of advice. I live somewhere very rural without streetlights or sidewalks and I don’t feel that it is safe to run after dark. But still most of those points are true…to improve visibility even at daybreak and/or twilight it’s important to run against traffic, no tunes, and I like to wear very obnoxiously bright colors!
Good trips Michelle! I try to find other places to run in the evening such as around the baseball fields where it’s well-lit.
Thanks for this post! Daylight Savings is a big pain for me, and I’ve noticed a lot of unsafe runners while I’m driving. It’s so important to be safe! When my boyfriend goes out for a run he doesn’t take anything with him, and I worry that if something bad happens I won’t be able to contact him. I will definitely share this with him and my running friends!