Greetings and welcome to AccountaBILLity Friday! January is winding down already and it has been an amazing start to 2015 so far! We have so many folks logging miles in the 2,015 in 2015 challenge, completing Goofy, Dopey, and Disney Marathons, and many, many completing full marathons, half marathons and many other races all over the world. Through it all, a NO EXCUSES mindset has taken root- not broken bones, boots, aches and pains, or illnesses can hold many of us back. Not the dark, or cold, or shortened days and busy lives with many commitments. It was also great to see so many people log so many miles from all over the world for Run For Meg. The power and impact of this group continues to grow and evolve. So glad to be a small part of it. So today starts a little 13.1 part series on some running related issues that some might find helpful- or maybe not! And it, as always, can be a place to add your own advice and share your experiences. Once again, I am no expert, just someone who has tried- and erred- and sometimes stumbled on some success ( or a tree root or sidewalk crack or pothole) over my 20+ year running journey. Todays entry concerns something I didnt think about often when I began running: runner safety. Maybe because of my younger, invincible attitude, or maybe it truly was a safer place for runners, cyclists, and pedestrians back in the day. I never thought too much about reflective gear, headlamps, earbuds or even YakTrax or about distracted drivers. I thought everyone could see me out there running. But today, for whatever the multitude of reasons or excuses, running has become a dangerous endeavor. We have to be on high alert at all times, and getting into that runners zone can have unintended consequences. The number of runners, walkers and cyclists lost is troubling, and we all hear about or are involved in near misses with motor vehicles and their operators. Being seen and aware of our surroundings is a matter of survival in some instances. And this can also be extended to other safety awareness areas, such as dogs or those with bad intentions. While getting my wifes oil changed this morning and walking with the younger boss in our Baby Bjorn, a half mile walk to the shopping mall was stressful and borderline dangerous when crossing roads, even with walk signals and at crosswalks. And even as a driver, it can be a challenge to remain undistracted with all that is going on, despite the fact that we as runners are already uber aware of other non drivers. As an example, on my way to my usual early morning runs, I turn from a 45mph surface road onto a 25mph road leading up to my running spot. One day as I turned onto this road, I immediately came upon a man walking his dog on the RHS of the road with no reflective gear and dark clothing. On another instance, as I turned onto this same road, two deer ran out in front of me. Had I been doing ANYTHING else, such as turning on my Garmin watch or even reaching for a water bottle, etc., the results could have been terrifyingly different. I am thankful for the gentle reminder. Someone was watching out for me. So, as we struggle with shortened days, which result in runs in the dark, with poor visibility, with poor footing and driving conditions and pedestrians and motor vehicles competing for limited space, lets be careful out there. Foregoing an outdoor run today might guarantee many more tomorrows. Fortunately, we are blessed with many more options to keep us away from drivers and their vehicles. In Syracuse, Onondaga Lake Park was a lifesaver for many of us during the inclement winter weather times. And here in Eugene, the trails and bike/running paths are exceptional. So, What will you be doing this weekend? For me, it is back to my maintenance schedule of 10/5, as my wife continues to ramp up her marathon training. Whatever or wherever it is, be safe. Safety first. How are you Lyn Chadwick?🏃💙 #runningtwins #JenneratiOn AccountaBILLity #WeMoveAsOne #Megsmiles
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 22:24:46 +0000
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