I’ve been running a lot at oh-dark-thirty and have noticed a disturbing thing about my fellow runners. There are a lot of folks dedicated (addicted) enough to run at this time, but many of them seem to be living dangerously. I’m not some SUV driving nut who swerves and screams at runners to get on the sidewalk, but runners need to protect themselves. A runner vs. two tons of steel is not a fair fight. Please wear reflective/illuminated gear and run safely.

Saucony Vizi PRO

The most common life endangering activity is running in dark clothing. Companies like Saucony and Brooks have been creating wonderfully bright running gear. Check out the Saucony ViZi-PRO. Not only is it obnoxiously orange, but it also has a blinking LED light on the sleeve. Every morning I run by people wearing the ubiquitous black running tights and a dark jacket. Often, I don’t see them until they are within 30 feet. Do you know how long it takes a car to travel 30 feet? If you don’t want to totally update your wardrobe, at least add couple of lights to your clothing. Gazelle sells plenty of options for lights, headlamps, and reflective bands: BE SEEN.

Now, dressing like a ninja would be okay if everyone was on the sidewalk, but hard core runners at 5:30 a.m. don’t like the sidewalk. They’re in the street. Not only are they in the street, but they are two or three abreast in the street. Often they’re on the wrong side of the street (runners/pedestrians should ALWAYS  face traffic). Now, I know, sometimes there isn’t a sidewalk. Even if there is a sidewalk, concrete is a lot tougher on the legs and can contribute to stress fractures. I’m pretty sure that a giant pile of metal driving 45 m.p.h. will cause more than a stress fracture, though. If you must run on the road, have the decency to run single file on the left-hand shoulder.

An even better idea would be to find a traffic-free zone. I’ve seen a lot of runners lately at Windmill Island in Holland, MI. As I ran there yesterday afternoon, I realized that this is Holland’s version of Central Park. Once you get onto the island, there is a paved path that is somewhere around half a mile. No cars. Do as many laps as you want wearing your black, non-reflective running gear while listening to your Ipod.

Whatever you do, please be safe out there. Be reflective. Alertly run on the left-hand shoulder. Don’t assume drivers see you. Don’t stake your legal claim to the road because a half-awake driver may not see you. They may not know the law or they may not care. Every runner is an ambassador for the sport. If we’re antagonizing drivers and endangering our lives, we’re not representing the sport we love very well.

Monday: 9 @ race pace or faster
Tuesday: 6
Wednesday: 6
Thursday: 6
Friday: 6
Saturday:18
Sunday: rest

Totals for the Week: 51
Totals for the Year: 524

Mark Remy brought up several similar points in his blog on runnersworld.com (Remy, Mark. “RW Daily.” Runnersworld.com. 8 Jan 2009. Web. 18 March 2010)