Just A Reminder
It is starting to get warmer out (yippee!), and not only are runners and other athletes out and about, but so are other people that don't necessarily have getting in shape in mind. I am posting this running safety list to remind us all to stay safe when training.
Most of these tips are common sense and maybe things that you already do.
-RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC so you can observe approaching vehicles unless this means running on the inside of a blind bend. Cross well before the bend and return as soon as it is safe to do so.
-WEAR REFLECTIVE MATERIAL if you run before dawn or after dusk.
-When approaching an intersection/T-junction, make eye contact with the driver who is waiting to proceed onto the main road. If the driver does not see you, pass behind the car.
-Always stay alert and aware of what's going on around you. The more aware, the less vulnerable you are.
-Never assume that because you have heard/seen a danger/obstacle that your fellow runners have. Make the call to advise them.
-Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you're unsure. If something tells you a situation is not "right", it isn't.
-Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
-Dogs can be dangerous, so avoid eye contact and slow to a walk if threatened.
-When running with a group, the club ethos is to re-group if there are runners of varying abilities. At the end of the run, ensure that all members of the group return safely.
-If leading a run, set a positive example by practicing the advice set out in these guidelines.
Further Safety Principles when running alone
-DON'T WEAR HEADSETS. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Using headphones, you lose the use of an important sense: your hearing.
-Carry a mobile phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of telephone boxes along your regular route.
-Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact a local running club or running shop. Know where open businesses or shops are located.
-Run with a partner (or let them accompany you on a bike). Run with a dog.
-Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes. This could make the difference!
-Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
-Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information. Don't wear jewellery.
-Practice memorizing car registration numbers or identifying characteristics of strangers.
-Carry a noisemaker.
-CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.
-Create a network of women runners. Create a system whereby women can find other women to run with.
Stay safe out there!!
Most of these tips are common sense and maybe things that you already do.
-RUN AGAINST TRAFFIC so you can observe approaching vehicles unless this means running on the inside of a blind bend. Cross well before the bend and return as soon as it is safe to do so.
-WEAR REFLECTIVE MATERIAL if you run before dawn or after dusk.
-When approaching an intersection/T-junction, make eye contact with the driver who is waiting to proceed onto the main road. If the driver does not see you, pass behind the car.
-Always stay alert and aware of what's going on around you. The more aware, the less vulnerable you are.
-Never assume that because you have heard/seen a danger/obstacle that your fellow runners have. Make the call to advise them.
-Trust your intuition about a person or an area. React on your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you're unsure. If something tells you a situation is not "right", it isn't.
-Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
-Dogs can be dangerous, so avoid eye contact and slow to a walk if threatened.
-When running with a group, the club ethos is to re-group if there are runners of varying abilities. At the end of the run, ensure that all members of the group return safely.
-If leading a run, set a positive example by practicing the advice set out in these guidelines.
Further Safety Principles when running alone
-DON'T WEAR HEADSETS. Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. Using headphones, you lose the use of an important sense: your hearing.
-Carry a mobile phone or change for a phone call. Know the locations of telephone boxes along your regular route.
-Alter or vary your running route pattern; run in familiar areas if possible. In unfamiliar areas, such as while traveling, contact a local running club or running shop. Know where open businesses or shops are located.
-Run with a partner (or let them accompany you on a bike). Run with a dog.
-Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your favorite running routes. This could make the difference!
-Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets, and overgrown trails. Especially avoid unlit areas, especially at night. Run clear of parked cars or bushes.
-Carry identification or write your name, phone number, and blood type on the inside sole of your running shoe. Include any medical information. Don't wear jewellery.
-Practice memorizing car registration numbers or identifying characteristics of strangers.
-Carry a noisemaker.
-CALL POLICE IMMEDIATELY if something happens to you or someone else, or you notice anyone out of the ordinary. It is important to report incidents immediately.
-Create a network of women runners. Create a system whereby women can find other women to run with.
Stay safe out there!!
10 Comments:
Good set of tips that most of us do not always think about.
My favorite is, "-Create a network of women runners. Create a system whereby women can find other women to run with." I run with a lot of women and there are a lot of women in our group. We also have to be careful of who the guys are coming into the group and we usually have them run with the group before they start making plans to run with some of the women who may not even know them. Sometimes we get comfortable with people in the group, but I think it is important to get to know these people personally that you may decide to meet early in the morning on your own. It is definitely important, for women especially, to be careful who they are telling where they are running early in the morning. Thanks for the reminders.
i love the list! thanks for the good reminders :)
i do alot of that stuff... but the one that gets me the worst is headphones... i just gotta have em, i know it's bad, but well, i guess i have to work on that!
great advice!
Hi Joyce! I must say, headphones are something I have to work on, too. Always have 'em. Except if I am running on park trails that are bounded by woods on both sides. Then it is just too scary!
Create a network of women runners
Interesting..b/c all the friends i know who runs or start going into running are female. I always caution them to run not by themselves...
gonna bounce your post to them...
Thanks for the list. I like to think I'm safer up here in rural VT but the reality is I'm probably not. It's good to be reminded of all this... thanks for that... oh, and headphones...yeah, that's one that I'm working on too. I did manage to find some that let me hear a lot of what's going on around me - and I tend to keep the volume low too. Once it gets close to racing season, I tend to put them away and practice hearing myself run as a lot of races here don't allow them...
Great list. My wife usually runs with friends or takes one of the dogs.
We are planning on being at Hinkley this weekend. We have to meet. Most people from the club or Snakebite Racing will know how I am.
Great list Buckeye. I'm guilty of wearing my IPod though....
I love that all the guys are enjoying the "create a network of women runners" line. All the single ones are thinking "hmmm, why didn't I come up with that!"
Hey great list there- I'll have to forward that along.
Also saw a couple posts down that you are rocking the airmax 360's- nice!! great shoe
That's a great set of list...
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