Hello! Welcome to Runner Safety Week on Run Eat Repeat! Check out the first hot topic below – Your Running Route.
I couldn’t sleep last night. For some reason I fell asleep around 10:30pm but woke up wide awake at 2am! Wide.Awake.
I tried a guided meditation for insomnia, but that didn’t help. After 30 minutes of just laying there frustrated I got up, had some tea and read.
I finally started to fall asleep again around 4am and got in another 2 hours.
When I woke up I got ready to run and decided to drive somewhere I don’t usually run during the week.
I switched it up because today’s safety topic is checking WHERE YOU RUN.
Vegas got up with me so we’re pretty tired today! I would love to take a nap, but they always leave me feeling weird.
Welcome to day 1 of Runner Safety Week
Monday through Friday this week I’m going to ask you to think about what you are doing to be safe while running. This isn’t just a list of random suggestions – STOP what you are doing and really think about it. Your life could depend on it.
You might be doing something risky right now that you don’t even realize is unsafe or putting you in harm’s way. Your best friend, girlfriend, mom, co-worker might be making a major mistake that is not safe. Spread the word by sharing this post or just talking about these suggestions with other runners.
I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want you to get hurt.
I am challenging you to participate in Runner Safety Week by answering a few questions (to yourself or in the comments) to check in with your running routine. We can’t control everything that goes on in the world, but we can make choices that help keep us safer.
Take 5 minutes each day this week to make sure you are making good, safe choices when you run. So many of us are just in the habit of running – we don’t really think about where, how, why, who … anymore.
Think about your running route and answer the following questions to yourself. Make changes as needed to make sure your habits are not super predictable, make you vulnerable or unsafe.
1. Check your running route.
Where did you run today?
Did you run that same route yesterday? Earlier this week?
Do you run this route the same day/time every week?
Is this a well lit route with other runners and walkers? Is it desolate?
How many people did you see while running? Did they see you?
If you are running the same place at the same time every day you need to change up your route.
Can you run somewhere new or at a different time that is safe tomorrow?
How can you change up your running routine to make it safer?
Me: I run my usual route near my place probably about 92% of the time. It’s not just convenient, I really like it! It’s more trouble to go somewhere else to run and kind of is a bummer since I like the paths outside my door. But I changed it up today in order to try something new and get out of my routine.
I run alone a lot. Most times very early in the morning. I feel safest if I run on a route that is around my neighborhood. I’m lucky that even at 5am there are people out walking their dogs or running too. Other times, I’ll sneak a run at work during lunch and on the weekends, I’ll run long with some friends.
I change it up every week. Not because of safety measures but because of the weather and the time of the day that I’m running. If I go during night time, I’ll go to my local park where I can run in the trail or in the track. If I’m running in the morning, I’ll go around my neighborhood. And If it’s raining I’ll go to the treadmill…
I like to try and run before work. Since I have to be to work by 0630, it is always dark – so I usually run on my treadmill. We live in a fairly safe area people-wise, but we do get quite a few wild animals and running in the dark creeps me out. I usually save my outdoor runs for the weekends. I always tell my husband what route I’m taking and when I should be back.
Something I feel like I need to do more of is tell someone where I am going. Since I now live alone again, it feels a little strange to tell someone “going out running!” like my BFF or mother, since they don’t live with me. But I suppose if I went missing, at least someone would figure it out sooner than later! That being said, my new town feels relatively safe.
Thank you very much for this weeks topic! A runner was killed recently when she was struck by a car. She was running in the road- a busy road. She did this all the time and was warned numerous times. She was killed a mile from her home. I want us all to be safe.
Amy, that is so sad. Yeah, I’ve heard we’re most likely to get in accidents close to home, I bet it’s the same for running accidents. It’s horrible for that girl and her family. Please stay safe out there!
Thanks! Am changing my route tomorrow morning!
This is a great point and something I don’t pay enough attention to. It’s easy to fall in a rut with a running routine and to feel a false sense of security as a result. Switching it up is a great strategy.
Diana
betterthanalive,com
I really should change up my route during the week. But it’s a very safe neighborhood and I pass a firehouse at the halfway point. Plus I don’t use both ear buds when running so I can hear what’s going on in my surroundings. And now with the temps cooling off I can run mid day on weekdays when school lets out which means lots of parents and children and school crossing guards out.