Jogger's, Runners, Walkers

[Rippington'sFan]

Ok for those of you who run,walk or jog... If you have no choice but to run,walk or jog on a fairly busy road because there may be no sidewalks do you go "with" the flow of traffic or "against" the flow of traffic?

I have been running for over 20 years and I ALWAYS run against the flow of traffic because I want to be able to see what's coming at me. Does that make sense?

I have actually had people yell out their car windows saying..."your running on the wrong side of the road".

I don't trust any drivers enough to turn my back on them especially nowadays when people are talking on cell phones,daydreaming or whatever might affect their driving. I can honestly say I know in the 20 years of running that I would have definitely have been hit by a car if I ran "with" the flow of traffic. Heck, I've had to jump out of the way several times when running towards traffic.

Any comments?

 

[CEDmom]

I go against the traffic when I'm jogging and with the traffic when I'm biking.

 

[Lewski709]

against. who cares if they yell, it's your safety.

 

[CamColt]

We have a street like that, but luckily its not too too busy. I would prefer to go against so I could see, however, there is more room to get up on yards on the side that I would be going with the traffic, so I go on that side.

 

[Indyman]

Pedestrians should always face traffic. I run on several streets like that and run against traffic if it's a busy road. On the less busy streets I'll occasionally run down the center.

 

[Deb in IA]

We've been running for 20 years also, Rippington, and DH has completed almost 20 marathons. I've done 5K's, 10K's, 5 milers, and the Bix 7.

We have almost ALWAYS run against traffic. The only BRIEF times that we run with traffic are at blind curves, and when crossing the street.

I have always understood the "rules" of the road to RUN against traffic, so that you can see what's coming, and they can see you, and to BIKE with traffic.

 

[DoeWDW]

I always walk on the side of oncoming traffic. I was taught that when young and it makes sense to me to be able to see what's coming at me. No way would I turn my back on traffic.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm a walker and I go against the flow of traffic. I'm like you Rippington'sFan, I want to see what's comin' at me and move before it gets there!

 

[helenk]

The rules of the road are walk facing traffic, bikers, ride with traffic. Those rules have been drummed into my head forever, even when my children were younger and the police officers would come to the school for safety day, they try to instill that in children and adults.

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Deb in Iowa :

"We've been running for 20 years also, Rippington, and DH has completed almost 20 marathons. I've done 5K's, 10K's, 5 milers, and the Bix 7."


Very impressive. That's awsome. Keep it up. I don't run long distance any more. I completed 2 Boston Marathon's back in the late 80's. That was enough for me as far as distance running. Talk about suicidal. Ouch!!! And to think I was stupid enough to try it twice. 5 miles is enough for me now.

Anyway's it seems that we all agree about going against the traffic unless you are on a bike.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

I've also been running against traffic for 20 years. For the same reasons as you.

 

[Deb in IA]

DH is the suicidal one. But his last marathon was the 2002 WDW Marathon.

He has always wanted to run the Boston. A few years ago, he was bound and determined to run the 100th anniversary Boston. As a physician, he could have run in the AMA section. But NO. He wanted to 'qualify' as a regular runner. I believe the qualifying time then was 3:20 for his age group -- it may have been increased to 3:30 since then.

Anyway, he ran about 5 marathons that year, trying to qualify. He would always finish so close that he was sure he would get it the next time.

The last attempt was the Jacksonville Marathon, where it was about 80 degrees. He was sick but ran anyway, got dehydrated, was taken away by ambulance to the First Aid tent at Mile 18, and ended up with pneumonia.

I suggested that he may want to quit while he was still alive . . .

Me, I just run 3 to 5 miles these days . . .

 

[Pin Wizard]

The only thing I REALLY hate about that is that it's so dangerous when the pedestrian is crossing a road. More than once I've had to slam on my brakes because I look left, right, left again before going. As I start the turn left, at least twice someone has been in front of me. And here in FL, pedestrians stop for nothing! Idiots!!

 

[Kimickey]

against. who cares if they yell, it's your safety

I run agains the traffic. Too many bozo's who would try and run you over.

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

We runners are wise to wear bright/reflective clothing and run defensively. If I had a nickel for every time I have approached a car that is turning right from their right side and had them almost run over me because they only check the traffic coming from their left ....

I actually have nice sidewalks on most of my regular routes, but this time of year in Minnesota, they are full of ice and its more dangerous to run on the sidewalks than in the road!