January 22, 2012
Some insights into running safely on the roads
For a runner, it is always nice to follow the straight and narrow road. Maybe a straighter and wider road is better for runners on a road filled with traffic. But, as in life, there are always curves and circles to contend with. On occasion there may even be a few hills on those curves.
The key is learning to adjust to variances from the straight and narrow.
Way back in the very early days, castles almost always had staircases circle clockwise. The idea was that, if an intruder were trying to invade the castle, it would be difficult to fight their way up the steps. Since most were right-handed, the sword was against that inside wall and it did not leave much room for a hearty swing.
In contrast, the host, in defending his castle, had the outside portion of the stairway, and had more room to swing that sword at the enemy. They even made the steps uneven, and of different heights, so that footing had to be harder. The people living there knew the steps well and had no trouble going up or down.
For runners, this idea of curves also has some implications. One important message given to runners is to run against traffic. The reason for this is that, if the runner is facing traffic, they can see any possible problems early and take appropriate action if necessary. For the most part, this is a good rule to follow.
There are a couple of exceptions to this rule when the road begins to follow those curves and circles and hills. On a sharp curve that bends to the left (assuming the runner is running against traffic on the left side of the road), it is safer to run with traffic on the right side of the road. A driver coming around that curve will not see the runner until the last second, and he often drives close to the inside of the road. This does not give either the runner or the driver much time to make corrections.
On a curve that bends to the right, it is best to stay where you are on the left side, as the driver has a better view in front of them, and more time to give the runner room on the side of the road.
A case may be made for running up steep hills also. A car coming over a steep hill does not have a good view of what’s on the other side of the downhill as they approach. A runner going up the left side will not be seen until the last minute and may be in trouble.
If the runner is like me, the head will be looking down at the road, instead of keeping the head up and looking at the top of the hill. It is just discouraging to keep looking at the top of that hill and not see it getting any closer for all my effort. In this case, it is better to move over to the right side and run with traffic. A car coming uphill behind you will be able to see the runner and make adjustments to give them room.
When you combine going uphill with a left curve, the best option is to be on the right side of the road for the driver to have the best visibility to see you.
Exceptions to these rules have to be considered if there is heavy traffic. Most runners like to choose roads that are less traveled, or at least to know when the traffic is lightest and not many cars are on the road. This makes switching from one side of the road to the other much safer.
When there is traffic of any kind, the best option is to stay where you are. Don’t think you can beat it across to the other side through that space between the cars. They are moving faster than you think; and unless you plan on setting a record in the 100-meter dash, stay where you are until it is safe to cross.
If this means you have to stop and stand still for a clear passage, this is the better option then guessing wrong. Or, a better option is to run only on roads that are straight and narrow, and stay away from curves and hills.
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Dr.
Maurice Johnson - better known around San Marcos as “Moe” - is a
professor in the Department of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance at Texas State
University - San Marcos. Moe has been a fixture in the San Marcos running community
- both as a runner and race organizer - since way back when Moby Dick was a minnow.
His column on running and fitness appears each Sunday in the Sports section of
the San Marcos Daily
Record. |
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