roads are for cars stupid

[ODBSGIRL]

The last couple of weeks I've been jogging to and from my bus stop. It's only about 2.5 miles each way. There are no sidewalks in my neighborhood plus it's a hilly area so the streets are banked and it kills my knees. The most convenient way to get to the bus stop has sidewalks but is also a 4 lane thouroughfare. Not too bad in the a.m. but pretty crowded by the evening. I am running against the traffic, on the sidewalk whenever possible,I'm crossing at lights only, I wear light clothing, reflective shoes and an armband. There is a short section of the run that has no sidewalk. I've been buzzed once already by a truck even though he had an inside lane with no one in it at all. So far the good honks/thumbs up have far outweighed the # of a-holes who think I'm an idiot while they drive their gas guzzling SUVs while talking on cell phones. For those that run regularly, am I doing this right?? And what about those stop lights? I can't seem to catch a break with those even though I push the cross walk button, it doesn't seem to matter.

[BamaDave]

I run against traffic, unless the line of sight of the oncoming traffic is blocked due to a hill. Then I move over into the lane with the traffic. (I'm using the term "traffic" loosely, since we don't really have any out where I live - but when I do run in town and have to go off the sidewalks, I still switch lanes) Basically just keep yourself as visible as possible, and that's all you can do.

[TennesseeGentleman]

I follow what Dave does, and I always lock on with sight the front fender of oncoming cars. You never know what they are going to do at the last second. I think the best precautionary defense is to assume every car is out to hit you.

[Rod]

I always run against the traffic and focus on the front tire as cars pass me. If there is any indication they are turning towards me I move to the grass. If I'm running on residential streets I run in the middle of the road unless there are cars coming from either direction.

[ODBSGIRL]

Okay, that's what I've been doing. It's hard in the afternoons especially with the heavier traffic and zig zagging sidewalks, the crossing takes forever but I've been doing pretty much what you guys have said, against traffic and on the sidewalk when possible. I'm going to get a full reflective vest soon and just keep running. Thanks.

[newride]

Reflective vests are your friend. Love them. Collect them. Wear them. Even my dog does. We are quite the fasion statement in the early AM.

Then again, my biggest problem when I run is not necessarily the traffic but wild animals. Porky's are the biggest prob as my pup took a nice facefull of quills last year but hasn't learned to stay away. Cayote is also too common for anyone's liking, but unless it is rabid is not a threat to us really.

[TennesseeGentleman]

The only thing I have against running on sidewalks is the difference between concrete compared to asphalt. But, the more pounding on the joints is not as bad as steel pounding the body.