Like most of you, I tear thru my Runner’s World magazine the second I pull it from the mailbox. In the January 2010 issue was a article on runner safety that you just have to read. Runner safety is one of the things we try to stress here at One Runner’s Brain and if we can influence just one runner to be safer on nations roadways, we’ll consider it a success.

In fact, our own Troy Schrenk was quoted in the article (p. 87) and you can read the post that got him quoted by clicking here.

Collision Course by Liz Robbins paints a picture of what we face as runners and many ways to Be A.W.A.R.E. of our surroundings and stay safe while running. You can read the whole article online but I wanted to stress some of the “Rules of the Road” mentioned in the article.

Rules of the Road

• Don’t assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can’t see you.
• Run against traffic so as to view (and react to) any mistake an advancing motorist may make.
• At a stop sign or light, wait for the driver to wave you through – then acknowledge with your own wave.
• Allow at least three feet between you and a passing vehicle.
• Be prepared to jump onto the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.
• During group runs, go single file when cars need to pass.
• Use hand signals to show which way you plan to run.
• Respect drivers’ right to the road.
• Run with proper I.D., and carry a cell phone with emergency contacts taped to the back.
• Check with the police for local traffic rules.

RMFR

If you haven’t read the previous post (A.W.A.R.E.) on running in the dark, please do (click here).

While on my run yesterday evening (yes I ran at night instead of the early morning) it dawned on me that there are a couple of things I do that might benefit you when running in the dark.

One of the most dangerous things to watch out for are headlights. If you’re running close to oncoming traffic you can be easily blinded by a cars lights. Highbeams…forget about it!!! To keep your eyes on the road and the car, look at the white line on the road. This way you can keep the car in your peripheral vision and not be blinded by the light. It also allows you to judge how close the car is to the white line and see the terrain in front of you.

After a car passes, close your eyes for a few seconds. I’ve found that this helps bring your sight back to normal and help adjust your eyes back to the low light.

If you’re running hilly routes, watch for lights coming over the hill. Don’t look directly at the headlights when the car crests the hill. Make sure you’re looking off to the side (unless the car is close, then look at the white line) to prevent being temporarily blinded.

We need to see the cars to avoid them and if you protect your eyes from a cars headlights, you’re winning the battle. RUN SAFE!!!

Jeremy and Melinda Kunz (wife) at the start line of the Ragnar Relay Las Vegas.

This weekend, a great event turned into tragedy. During the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay, Jeremy Kunz was struck and killed by a drunk driver. While I have no connection to the race or the Kunz family, the news of this tragedy hit me hard. For the news story, CLICK HERE.

In an official statement from the Ragnar Race officials:

In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 10 Jeremy Kunz was struck by a suspected drunk driver while providing support to a runner on his team. Police and Rescue responded quickly, as did several Ragnar teams. Unfortunately Jeremy could not be resuscitated. Special thanks goes out to team 184, “The Dog Pound,” which was first on the scene and provided immediate aid to Jeremy. Jeremy’s family has asked us to thank team 184 and other teams who were there. Thank you!

The driver was apprehended and arrested for DUI and other charges. He is currently in custody. Police have released very few other details.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kunz family and those closest to him. As runners, I think we form a bond with runners and what happens to them affects us all.

There is now a way to make a donation to the family. You can do so at www.jerandmin.com there is a link at the top of the page inside the photo of Jeremy. They will be setting up an account with Zions Bank tomorrow. For now this is the best way to donate. Donations will benefit Jeremy’s children.

You can read and add your sentiments at the Ragnar Relay Facebook page.

By now, many of you have heard about Jerry Johncock (aptly named). If not, here’s a summary:

This past weekend, Jerry, 81 years of age, ran in the Twin Cities Marathon. At mile 21, he said he had a blood clot that was preventing him from urinating. Not carrying a catheter at the time (go figure, we carry just about everything else), he borrowed and used one from a spectator (who just happened to have one). After inserting the borrowed catheter, Jerry completed the race and finished first in his age division. After the race, there was controversy over whether he was going to be disqualified because he left the course.

OK, this story perplexes me in so many different ways.

• I’m all for runner’s being mental and crazy in some of the things we do, but putting your health on the line just isn’t one of them. A blood clot and the first thing you can thing of is how can I go on? Sorry, but that’s just plain reckless. There’s a line and it’s been crossed. There’s always another race…go get help.
• Sharing a towel (not gross) – drinking out of the same glass (a little gross) – using somebody’s else’s catheter (huh?). I’m sorry, you using that? Mind if I stick it inside me? Do I need to expand?
• He left the course to insert the catheter in his Johncock (I’m sure nobody wanted to see that on the course). He reentered the course and did not take an advantage in the race. Race officials wanted to disqualify him. I’m sorry, an 80 year old man has a blood clot, uses a catheter and finishes the race. Anybody else think the controversy is centered around the wrong thing?

With the recent deaths of long distance runners in big name races, I would think USATF would focus on runner safety before $225 in prize money. We run because we enjoy it and have fun. Nobody should have to mimic Pheidippides and actually die at the end of the marathon.

I love running early in the morning. With the changing of the seasons, it’s getting lighter later and darker earlier which means most of us are running in the dark. It’s a goal of mine to make runners more safe on our nation’s roadways and you’d be surprised how many people I see and pray for their safety. I’m not talking about somebody just out for a leisurely jaunt, I’m talking about serious runners that I see on a consistent basis. From what I’ve seen, I’ve come up with some suggestions:

Against Traffic. Run against traffic when you’re running on the road. Most roads have a shoulder or bike lane and you should stay near the edge (away from traffic) if at all possible. Running against traffic let’s you see oncoming cars and cyclists. Those running with traffic will never know if somebody didn’t see them before it was too late.

Warning Signs. Watch oncoming cars and cyclists. Is there a car coming around a curve wide and fast? Is there a large group of cyclists riding 2-3 wide? Does that car making left turn see you approaching the intersection? Be aware of your surroundings. Expect the best…prepare for the worst.

Anticipate. When you see the warning signs, anticipate what actions need to be taken. 99% of the time when you take action first, you can avoid many of the dangers. Car’s coming wide and fast? Move off the road or to the extreme side in case they don’t correct their actions. Car doesn’t see you? Make yourself seen or get out of their eventual path.

Reflective Clothing and Lights. If aware started with an R, this would be first. I consider this the most important thing runners can do. Make people see you. While you may wear bright colors, they lose their impact with no light. Find clothing with large areas of reflective print – the tips of your shoelaces don’t count. Use a headlamp or carry a small flashlight. I run with a small flashlight – not to light my way but to make sure cars and cyclists can see me from a distance and know I’m there. Blinking lighting is also another option. Most units are small and unobtrusive.

Enjoy Silence. Music is great but don’t use it in the dark. When one of our senses is dulled, the others take over. You can’t see as much in the dark and using your ears is important. You may hear an obstacle before you see it. Save the tunes for your car or at work. You’ll thank me later.

We’re looking at creating and offering reflective running wear either in partnership with sponsors or on our own (let us know if there’s any interest). As part of the running community, I pray that you all be safe and tear it up on the pavement.

I was reading a bunch of boards the other day discussing whether it’s better to run with traffic or run against traffic. Are you serious? Just the thought of running with traffic gives me chills. The reason it is suggested to run against traffic is so that you can see what’s coming at you. If you see a car approaching that is riding the curb or crowding the bike lane, you have the opportunity to get out of the way.

This brings me to a question: If you meet other runners on the road running with traffic, do you point it out? Maybe suggest “You should be running against traffic for your own safety.”

Let us know what you think.

It happens to every runner training for a race. Usually towards the end of your training there’s that one long run that falls in the middle of the week. I’ve been planning today for the last 3 weeks. Whether you run in the morning or evening, chances are you’re running in the dark.

For me, 4:30 AM came fast and as luck would have it, there was no moon. For my long runs, I’ve been running a stretch of road that leads out into the Nevada desert. That means I have street lights for the first 1 1/2 miles – after that, it’s pitch black. I don’t have a headlamp and instead use one of my sons small flashlights. It’s lightweight, shines bright and has been very reliable…except for this morning.

I don’t have many reflective surfaces on my running gear (shame on me and we’ll get into this later) and was depending on my trust flashlight to get me to daybreak. I’m running in a bike lane on a paved road so the flashlight isn’t necessarily to ensure sound footing. My biggest concern are motorists speeding into Las Vegas to work the early shift. Most have coffee in one hand and are rubbing their eyes with the other. The flashlight serves as a warning beacon to those oncoming death darts of destruction.

After 2 1/2 miles (1 1/2 of those were lit) my flashlight started to dim. At this point I’m thinking about my son staying up all night playing with a beam of light on the ceiling. A slight panic started to set in. Sunrise wasn’t for another 40 minutes and I was only a quarter of the way thru my run. So I did what seems to be popular these days – I went into conservation mode. My plan was to run without the flashlight until I saw headlights. At that time I turned it on, and because it was dimming, I would half shine it directly at the car to let them know I was there.

The moral of the story is this – as runner’s, we need to advocate and practice runner safety. Over the past couple of weeks, Troy and I have become aware that runner safety is being overlooked – and with grave consequences. We both promise to take up this cause and we ask you to help promote runner safety among your running peers. We will post safety tips/articles and we’ll do our best to try and partner up with companies offering safety products for runners.

It only takes a pebble to start a wave.