The last police car leaves the scene. The blood, glass fragments, and some torn clothing are all that remain of the accident. Witnesses will remember seeing the speeding Buick Skylark hit the person and throw him 50 feet into the city park. The runner will be lucky to ever exercise again. It’s a jungle out there for us runners but there are proactive measures we can take to avoid all the mayhem.
Run against traffic when there aren’t sidewalks and you are forced into the streets. It is better to see what is approaching you then to turn your back on it.
Tell someone where you are going to go running. It is always a great idea to let your roommate, spouse, or best friend know what course you plan on completing. If you don’t come back it is much easier to have the bloodhounds retrace your running path to search for you.
Keep an identification tag on your person at all times when out running. The tag should include your name, address and an emergency contact for you. Attach this to your shoe, shirt, shorts or anywhere that is attached to you. In the event of an emergency, your name will be something other than John Doe.
Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Just know your surroundings and look and listen for danger. IPods and headphones are not a good idea when running. It sure helps to have Lady Gaga and Kenny Chesney in your ears when you’re finishing a five mile course in the heat. However, you take away your ability to hear the barking pit-bull that is closing in on you. If you insist on keeping your music intact then keep extra vigilant with your visual sense.
Don’t run with an injury. Give your body a rest when you are limping around. Pain is the body’s best way to tell you to sit back and watch the Law and Order marathon on A&E that day instead of embarking on some grueling running trail. You increase the risk of injuring yourself more in these situations. You also increase the likelihood that you will need to be rescued.
Run with a partner or have someone bike alongside you. It is especially important to have a companion when heading out on a trail run. A sprained ankle, a rattlesnake bite, or a concussion from a nasty fall are not much fun when all alone in the wilderness.
Take water with you if you will be running more than 45 minutes. You can also plan a course that will have water fountains along the way. Dehydration can start zapping your energy and cause you to become disoriented.
Stay on the treadmill if the weather is bad. A little rain, some snow flurries, or 25 mile per hour winds aren’t the bad I am referring to. The torrential rains, blizzards, and window-shattering hailstorms are the bad moments for a run in the park.
Running is a great means of staying healthy. Be smart and let the emergency responders handle some other crisis when you head out for your daily jog. It’s 5 p.m. and my shoes are calling me for my daily six miles. See ya back here safely in forty minutes!
This run and fun is brought to you by that guy with a healthy track record. That guy with the rubber meets the road mentality is Ron Blake and he can be reached at rblake5551@hotmail.com.
