Running safety: 5 tips to running safer

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running, safety

Staying safe while running should be a priority for new runners and veterans alike. Too often we get into our running grove and can make mistakes that could cause us harm. I’ve assembled 5 running safety tips:

5. Always carry identification with you. You can purchase RoadID bracelet or VITAband to wear.

4. Always run facing traffic. This allows you to see oncoming cars and allows drivers to see you as well. If you’re running in a group, please don’t take an entire lane of traffic.

3. Maintain high visibility. If you run at night or early in the morning before sunrise, you should wear a reflective vest and other bling bling that is reflective so everyone can see you on the road.

2. Switch up your routine. Do not run the same routine day after day. When we run the same route, or the same two routes, day after day, it only makes us easy targets for stalkers, we also have a tendency to zone out.

1. Don’t run with music. I know, for some it’s impossible. If you feel you must run with music, either run with only one ear bud or turn the volume down low so you can hear approaching vehicles or someone speaking.

I personally run with one ear bud in, which allows me to hear the music and the world around me. I spent time this winter running without music to become familiar with my breathing and listening to the way my body works together.

So, there you have it. 5 running safety tips. Do you have specific running safety tips that you would tell fellow runners?

Sitting in the big chair

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election

While sitting at a basketball game on Sunday, I heard a boy who was sitting a row behind me that looked around 10 or so ask an adult he came to the game with two questions, “Did you vote for President Obama? And why are you going to vote for Obama again?”

The woman tried to explain briefly why she was going to vote for President Obama again in between the nail biting scene on the court and without sounding condescending.

Her answer wasn’t good enough for the young man because he followed up with, “Well, my mom said all he does is sit in that chair. He doesn’t help anyone. He hasn’t tried to help anyone.”

A little stunned by his remarks, their short conversation got me thinking about how children are exposed to the structure and duties of local, state and federal government as well as duties of the U.S. president.

It can be difficult for adults. Even more so now that we are truly in the election mode, which can truly show the dirtiness of modern American politics. So, how do you put that in terms a child can understand?

For my godson, I will follow these guiding principles when talking to him during this political season:

Involve him at every level. Discuss the process openly including watching bits of significant speeches from numerous candidates as well as taking him to vote on Election Day.

Consider what he might hear at school. Kids talk about what they hear adults say. That was pretty evident in today’s conversation. And sometimes they might not get everything straight. So, as with all important topics, I want to be sure he learns the important lessons from me or his parents–not the playground.

Treat the other side fairly. Speaking respectively of others is a priority in the home, and a presidential election doesn’t offer an exemption. Me and my godson’s parents are frank with him about what we believe-and why-and he knows who we support. But we don’t bash the people for whom we do not vote.  Our own family and friends have people at every conceivable spot on the political spectrum, and I use that fact to explain that good people can disagree about politics, and still like each other.

How are you teaching your children about the roles of politicians and the upcoming election on the state and federal level?

Runs. Results. 2011 Breakdown.

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NIke+, running

The Nike+ annual ‘Rundown” stats came out last week. Here’s mine:

The ‘Rundown” is a group of basic personal stats that Nike+ generates and sends to you at the start of a new year. They are to help give you a clearer idea of how you’ve done over the past year in bigger picture and to provide you with the impetus for the coming year.

I’m definitely interested in the numbers even though they are only a part of what I did in 2011. There were many days that I did not have my iPod to keep track in Nike+.  But it is a good representation of where I have traveled throughout the year.

We are a week into the new year and I have had my iPod for each outing.

Goals not resolutions

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goals, New Year's resolution, running

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, because it can be hard to stick to stuff like “eat better” and “exercise more” without any concrete end-game. Personally, I find it much more effective to set a goal like “run a half marathon” and use that as a carrot to stick to anything resolution-like.

So, that being said, these are a few of my running goals for 2012:

• Finish two half marathons.
• Run 20-25 miles a week.
• Run more than 1,000 miles during the entire year (average of 19.2 miles per week).
• Set at least one PR (for a distance I’ve raced before).
• Decrease the amount I owe in credit (obviously not running, but very important).

Keeping those goals in mind, I have started my 2012 race schedule. These are the races that I’d love to do, but I know I won’t do them all if only for the sake of saving entry fees.

1/28: Red Nose Run 10K
3/3: Palmetto State O-Run
3/17: Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon (registered)
3/31: Cooper River Bridge Run (registered)
4/28: Providence Hospitals Heart & Sole Five Miler
5/6: Lincoln Half
10/13: Ray Tanner Home Run 12K
10/21: Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Louis Half Marathon

I’m not the biggest fan of getting out and running miles and miles, but I am very proud of my accomplishments when I am done. I am also very proud to say that I have completed X amount of miles before most people have gotten out of the bed on a given Saturday morning.

So, let the New Year begin and off to the pavement I go.