Safety

I can't even begin to scratch the surface on this topic. If one were to google "Running Safety", many good articles and recommendations will make the top of the returned list. I'll just post a few random thoughts that apply to us:

- Make sure someone knows your route. If you get injured halfway thru the run, someone can trace your route and find you crumpled in pain on the side of the road.

- Think about how dumb the average person is, then remember that half the population is less intelligent than that (and they all seem to be driving cars while I'm running). Drivers will do dumb things around runners. Runners show up in places where drivers don't look, some drivers think runners don't belong on roads, etc. So, pay attention. Headphones are usually a bad idea on roads.

- A key ratio for runners (or bikers) is the speed limit to shoulder width ratio. For example, the speed limit on Five Mile Line is 35mph, the shoulder width is perhaps 8 feet, so the ratio is about 4.4; that is good. Atlantic has a speed limit of 45 and a shoulder width of 2, so the ratio is about 22.5; that is bad. Try to have more of your running on lower ratio roads. 25mph and no shoulder may seem bad, since the ratio is undefined, but is actually a nice place to run, so use common sense about traffic volumes as well.

- Hydrate! Yes, as a safety feature I can add this as well. If you get to the point where you are dehydrated, you can lose focus on what's around you, and you can even lose control of where your next foot strike occurs.

- Run facing traffic. No, you won't necessarily be nimble enough to jump out of the way of the Bad Driver, but you can see signs of danger that can help you (a swerving car coming down the road, a driver not looking out the front window, etc.

- Run with someone. Not only is this safer, it's more fun.

- On warm days, plan your route to include water stops of some sort, every 20-30 minutes.

- Don't antagonize drivers. If they do something stupid, don't compound the problem with shouting, obscene gestures, etc. The car outweighs you by a large margin - you'll lose that battle.