It doesn’t matter where you are running. Safe running is crucial to ensure you get home without injury. We will share a few things to watch out for while you are planning your run.
Thinking about Safe Running
I have spend a majority of my time running on dedicated paths throughout my running career. It’s really a great convenience to not have to stop running frequently, and still have a great surface to run on. However, the biggest issue are those stop signs when crossing random streets. Cars usually don’t know where these paths are and don’t usually look out for them.
When planning out your route, not only look at how you are getting to the running path, but look to see how many stops you may encounter when crossing traffic. These are the most dangerous areas and should get special attention.
Tips to be Safe
Here are some things to be aware of:
- Drivers Don’t Care – When running in most places, car drivers are not going to pay much attention to the path you are on. You have to pay attention to them. Stop at all crossing and make sure cars are stopped before you attempt to cross. (I’ve had cars speed up that I thought were slowing down). Make eye contact with the driver.
- Bikers Don’t Care – It’s hard to run on shared paths with bikes. They are typically traveling at speeds 2-3 times faster than runners and really don’t care either. If you see a band of bikes, your best bet is to slow down or even let them pass. Look for sections of the path with sharp turns, abrupt transitions, or obstructed views to make sure you see them first. Also, check behind you before switching lanes.
- Pedestrians Don’t Care – My least favorite is when four friends will walk in a line blocking the path. It seems to happen fairly frequently for those that don’t know they are on a multi-purpose path. A gentle “on your left” or “on your right” could help. Be careful of traffic in front of you or coming up behind you.
Things to Think About
Being aware of your situation is key for safe running regardless of the type of path you are running on. An indoor or outdoor track is probably the safest assuming it’s used for its purpose. A gravel or paved multiple purpose trail could be a great next option. The last option for safe would be sidewalks, city streets, or rural roads. Any area with high traffic could pose a challenge.
It’s amazing what you have to think about when running. I’ve encountered motorized vehicles on multi-purpose trails, bikers at high speeds passing within inches, and even cars that seemed to speed up to pass in front of me as I’m in the crosswalk. Stay alert to your surroundings, never assume bikers or drivers see you, and make sure you are seen whether you run during the day or night. Be safe out there!