WATCH OUT FOR RUNNERS:
Sound familiar? Every spring people post signs in their yards that say Watch Out for Motorcycles, well I feel like I need to make up some signs that say Watch Out for Runners and post them around. This last week CNY has experienced it’s first real snow fall in which the plows really had to be out on the roads. In the neighborhood that I live in the plows tend to go through once to get a general sense of the roads clear, leaving a good 3 foot of snow in the road (from the edge of the road). They then go through later on after the storm has calmed down to push that snow back further. I know because they tend to go back through and do that second push shortly after I’ve cleared the driveway and I’m going right back out to clear the mess again. None the less when running, I make sure that I stay as far to the edge of the road, or snow, as I possible can, but keep in mind I’m not about to run through all of the snow and slush that you don’t even want to drive through. What does this mean? It’s means that when you are out driving that I am asking that you show some respect to those people who are out walking, running, or even biking. This past Tuesday while running up a hill I noticed that the car coming at me was making no attempt to move over at all. I looked over my shoulder and I noticed a truck coming up the same hill. Realizing that for my own safety it was best for me to just stop I did, stepping into someone’s driveway completely to get out of the road. The truck coming up the hill even came to a complete stop to provide safety to me as a runner because they were expecting the car to move over for me. I experienced another car this morning that made no attempt to share the road with me. This doesn’t even include the number of cars that are backing out of driveways without taking a look. Keep in mind I am doing my part to be as defensive as possible while out on the road – wearing bright clothes (reflective and lights as well), slowing down or moving when cars aren’t providing me a safe amount of space, but there is only so much that I can do myself.
PLEASE:
– Be on the lookout for others on the road.
– Share the road with others (walkers / runners / bikers). Give room to those on the road, and if you can’t provide room, at least SLOW DOWN. Think of it as when a car is broken down on the side of the road and it’s a law that you move over to give room.
Thank you all for your continued support!