Drivers — watch out for runners
With the snow and dark that are now upon us, it’s time for you to really pay attention to your driving habits. As a runner, I may be speaking for other runners when I say we are at drivers’ mercy. This doesn’t apply just to the winter, but to all year.
Snow and early darkness does make our activity a little more dangerous. We appreciate drivers who stop before crosswalks, slow upon coming to intersections and stoplights, and don’t throw things at us. We like when people let us cross crosswalks instead of blazing through them.
Please be courteous, not just now, but always. The snow makes it more dangerous for us who are just trying to get out and enjoy the weather while improving upon our bodies. With that said, I would like to send a thank-you out to those of you who shovel your sidewalks. We appreciate all of you who are mindful of runners. Those of you who aren’t, just keep an eye open a little wider. ALSO, DON’T TEXT WHILE DRIVING. That’s just ignorant.
Shawn Williams
Rockford
From the Jan. 23-29, 2013, issue
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4 Comments
As one who bikes & walks on the side of the road at times, runners should wear high visibility clothing and have flashing lights on them if they are going to be on road sides in the dark.
Hey, Shawn, BUY A TREADMILL and keep OFF the streets. I don’t appreciate you improving your body at my expense of trying to watch out for you! How inconsiderate can you be? Aren’t you running outside just to show off to others? Why not run indoors, join a gym, run around a track? Why must you be on the streets? The streets are NOT for runners, they are for CARS? If you are so proud of your body, keep it indoors on a treadmill or end up a hood ornament!!
Shawn,
I agree that traffic needs to be aware of runners, walkers, and cyclists. I also agree with a previous statement about walkers, runners, and cyclists wearing highly visible clothing, and beacons are also a good idea (also stated).
However, the smugness, arrogance, and narcissism in which you are trying to make your point doesn’t carry it so far.
I had been a runner for years, also running on streets and sidewalks, and can honestly say that I have never had anyone in a passing car throw anything at me. Although I never think it OK to throw anything at anyone from a moving vehicle, I would ask you to try and take an impartial personal inventory of your own behaviors and mannerisms while running, to be sure that your behaviors aren’t inviting such hostilities.
If you are incapable of taking such an impartial personal inventory, then try to get one from the outside.
Although this may well not be who you are as a person (normally), you come off a bit more as a self-important ass rather than someone with best intention for the walking/running/cycling community. You may have wanted to have had another person proof read this before you sent it.
I’m a little taken aback. I was not trying to be brash or arrogant. One, I’m not running IN the street. I do cross streets and look both ways numerous times. Two, I am looking out for the running community. I care for them, they are family. I’m flabbergasted that you, kitty, took such a harsh stance. I invite you to a face-to-face conversation. Posting comments like that allows you hide behind them. If you wanted to say those to me in person I would be less offended. People like you are the ones I’m scared of while running on the sidewalks. It seems some people have a personal vendetta against runners. Want to join me on a run? I guarantee it would loosen you up a bit. I’m not typing this out of anger. I’m a pretty happy guy and I’m truly and honestly inviting you out on a run. Now, I’m sorry this seemed to offend you but it was written out of true caring. We runners really are doing everything we can to stay safe. Hi-vis clothing, running in numbers, lights- all sorts of things. It was meant to be a letter of caution. I think you took it too far. Again, if you want to meet up and talk to me like two adults I’d be delighted. I’d listen to you more if you did.