Running in the Dark!

[cewait]

I posted in the Marathon thread but thought after posting I would create a new thread....

I cannot say with any more sincerity that every runner should have some source to help drivers see them in the dark. I think the jury is out on flashing lights but as I drive, I see them well. The issue is that if you are an evening runner nearing the holidays, drunks (non PC for impaired drivers) tend to be drawn to a flashing light. Seemingly, they think it is a vehicle in front and attempt to follow.

I personally wear either a running vest or a reflective belt if traveling and well as my Road ID. I do have a flashing clip on light that I use on occasion but not as often as I thought I would. If trail/bike path running, I will carry a light flash light for really dark sections. I rarely run those anymore.


My sincerity comes from a hit and run; vehicle vs runner with me being the runner. It was January 2009 in Marco Island, a resort area. It happened so quick that I really have a hard time putting it all together. I normally run street (facing traffic) but for some reason that morning I ran sidewalk. I came up to a light controlled intersection and crossed with the light. However, a silver convertible early 2000's Mustang with black roof and just after a broken left mirror came up from the same direction I was running and turned left against a red arrow. I heard the car, saw the headlights, danced and smacked into the front fender, and rolled up the windshield and over the mirror as I fell to the ground.

I am not sure that a reflective belt or anything would have helped that hit. Where it did help was the non-hit that almost occurred. I was on my back and saw more lights then a screech of the tires. A very panicked lady bounded out of her car saying she saw a flash in her headlight and did not recognize what it was from. It was literally my reflective strap on my ROAD ID flashing in her headlights. Without that flash (or today if she were texting) I would have been involved in a second hit.

As soon as I evaluated and then stood, I saw the Mustang boogie off. I was 1000% lucky. If I were a half step further I would have impacted the front of the car and may not be here to tell a the story. I relay this specifically due to the fact that most all of us will run in the dark between now and January. I am not here to scare just pass a word of wisdom. To be transparent, I am also compensated by RoadID due to telling my story publicly through them. I am a free ID for life member; a club quite frankly one does not want to be a member of.

Finally, the sobering part of this story follows. I left my hotel room and got all the way out to the lobby when I realized I did not have the Road ID on my wrist. My Garmin had just found satellites so I was just about to shove off. Then I recalled my conversation with Mary about running in strange places so I went up to the room for the ID. I am forever grateful that I did. (Yes, you can make a case for me being a half mile further down the road if I said what the heck, but I think it was destiny).

Be safe out there. The first half hour after sunset is the most dangerous as drivers are still acclimating to the dark.

 

[dragitoff]

So very true! I live in the country and unfortunately have to do alot of my running on a relatively busy highway. As if that wasn't bad enough, there are sections where the grass gets so high off the side of the road you can't really see where you're stepping. DW and I try to be extra careful since we run at 5am and it's always dark at that time!

We wear reflective vests, headlamps, reflective clothes, Road ID and red strobes on our backs. We always run towards traffic so we see them coming a long way away. We never run with headphones on that road so we can also hear cars coming from a long way away. It's a blessing that it's so quiet so we're able to do that.

Despite all those precautions, we both worry about each other's safety. Fortunately, we've been running this road so much that anyone passing knows we're out there and people have become extremely courteous of us running and slow down for us. Occasionally we'll have to stop and step off the road if cars are coming in both directions.

Since I travel alot for work, I have the opportunity to run in alot of new places. That can be good and bad. I promised my wife I would never go out running, at home or away without my Road ID and cell phone. Be safe out there people!