The Running Thread - 2019

[roxymama]

Yesterday ATTQOTD: Last year I always had 3 pairs of Brook's Launches in rotation. When I retired one I brought another in. I retired my last pair in Jan and started up a new pair. But now I only have one pair of shoes and I'm itching for another. I'll probably get one more pair but not introduce until closer to my spring half marathon. I think two in rotation will be enough for me this year since I'm not marathoning in 2019.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

ATYQOTD: 4-5 pairs a year. I demote them to knock-around shoes at 350 miles. I've been running exclusively in Brooks Ghosts since 2015. Only one pair in play at a time (other than challenge weekends). I just ordered the 11s. This will be the first time I've bought a new model without trying it on first.

ATTQOTD: Against traffic so I at least have a chance of getting off the road. My routes are all rural roads with no sidewalks with lots of big pick-up trucks with even bigger mirrors. I estimate I have to jump in the grass/mud/water about once a mile to avoid being hit.

 

[jmasgat]

In MI it is the law that pedestrians use the sidewalk when one is available, and go against traffic when one is not.
I have the luxury of deciding not to run where there are no sidewalks. If I find a sidewalk impassible I will dart into the road and hug the curb until I can return to a vehicle free path. I find myself infuriated with runners in the road when we do have sidewalks, which are not as flat or soft as the road, but are there because it is a safer option than running in the road. Most infuriating is knowing I cannot stop as well on our snowy/icy roads as I could otherwise, and dodging a runner who has decided the sidewalks are not as good for running as the road. I agree, if the road were car free it is a nicer surface (more even, more likely to be snow and ice free, etc), but it is not car free and while a pedestrian may have the right of way, if I cannot stop, right of way does not matter. .

Another MI runner--running on a mix of sidewalks and roads against traffic. I will do sidewalks IF the sidewalk is clear of ice and snow (in the winter) and level/good condition. I run in a residential neighborhood, and I'm an aware runner. I am not going to do anything stupid, and that includes risking injury running on a poor sidewalk. Obviously on roads with major traffic, I'll be on the sidewalk regardless. My goal for any run is to hit my targets AND come back uninjured.

 

[evre13]

QOTD: When running on the roads and sidewalks are not available, which of the two options do you do: Run with traffic or against traffic? Tell us why you picked the option you picked as well.

I rarely am faced with this option because where I live in DC is so densely trafficked all the time that I either run on sidewalks or on running trails in some of the parks (depending on the distance on my plan). However, instinctually, I'd say run against traffic because I like to know what's coming at me. I also do run in Aftershokz so I can hear ambient noise/cars coming up at me - I don't really trust drivers to not be distracted at all.

 

[baxter24]

Yesterday’s QOTD: Between 3 to 4 pairs a year. I’ve been running in Brooks for years and don’t anticipate a switch.

ATTQOTD: Always against traffic. I’m still amazed at the number of people who I can tell aren’t even paying the slightest attention to their surroundings while driving.

 

[KSellers88]

ATTQOTD: We don't have sidewalks where I live, so I am always running against traffic. Most people are used to me being on the roads now and will move over, but this past weekend there was a guy who I could clearly see was playing on his cell phone and was all over the road. I ran all the way down in a ditch to avoid getting hit because he was making me so nervous. I've had similar issues with people not stopping when making right hand turned and love @huskies90's idea of slapping the trunk! I'll have to try that next time!

 

[jennamfeo]

QOTD: I wanted to ask you how many pairs of running shoes are you purchasing in a year? Do you buy the same ones or try different shoes out?

I wore my first pair of running shoes for like 5 years. LOL. Then I think I was on a one pair a year kind of deal. Then in 2018 I bought 5 pairs of shoes. There is no method to my madness.

QOTD: When running on the roads and sidewalks are not available, which of the two options do you do: Run with traffic or against traffic? Tell us why you picked the option you picked as well.

On my lunch break route I try to run against traffic as much as I can, but there are a few spots where I have to run on the road, with traffic, because it makes the most sense. I don't like it, but I do it. All my other running paths are off the driven roads.

 

[Chaitali]

Yesterday's question - It used to be 2 pairs of shoes per year, always Saucony Guides. But that was when I was running around 500 miles per year. I'm closer to 700 miles per year now. Last year, I did end up with 3 pairs of shoes because the Guides stopped working for me and I switched to Brooks Adrenalines in November. I'll probably try to keep with 3 for this year due to the increased mileage anyway.

Today's question - I almost always run on sidewalks or trails. The only time I run on the street is when I'm visiting family and running in their neighborhood. I run on the side opposite the direction of traffic, but these are also small neighborhood streets with very few cars.

 

[Neon Cactus]

I almost always go against traffic. There are a lot of truly awful drivers in Dallas so I want to at least have a shot and getting out of their way. And if the cars don't get you near downtown, the people on rental scooters will.

 

[canglim52]

Yesterday’s ATTQOTD: Waaayyy too many shoes. I like up tempo shoes so they usually only last 300-400 miles. Last year I hit 2700+ miles, so that put me around 7-8 pairs... this year I’ll prob finish around 3500-4000 miles, or basically 10-11 pairs! I rotate 4-5 pairs at a time, and I buy all of them on sale on runner warehouse lol.

ATTQOTD: I run my route and sometimes that puts me against traffic and sometimes with. I won’t cross in front of car without getting a response from the driver. I typically just wave until the see me lol. I’ve had some close calls, but usually it’s from a car blowing a stop sign or being blocked by other cars and rolling through the cross walk(I really hate that one cause I can’t see them either).

 

[PCFriar80]

ATTQOTD: I will often slap the back of the car hard as they are turning to let them know they didn't see me.

I've had to bang on more than a few car hoods and windows over the years

Sorry, I have to disagree with this advice. When you're out running and try to engage or take on someone or something without knowing what that someone or thing are you are escalating the situation. You have know idea who is behind the wheel or whether they give a crap about you or anyone else. Yeah, it may feel good at the moment to let out some frustration but is it really worth it? And yes, I've had my share of close calls, but a simple visit to the local PD or call to the State Police with a vehicle license has been my response.

 

[PCFriar80]

.

 

[Kerry1957]

QOTD: When running on the roads and sidewalks are not available, which of the two options do you do: Run with traffic or against traffic? Tell us why you picked the option you picked as well.

As I've discussed in the past, I try very hard not to pound the pavement, either sidewalks or street. I probably run less than 10 miles a year on pavement (not counting Disney and a couple of other local races). To misquote the Dos Equis man: I don't usually run on pavement, but when I do it's the sidewalk.

 

[MissLiss279]

Sorry, I have to disagree with this advice. When you're out running and try to engage or take on someone or something without knowing what that someone or thing are you are escalating the situation. You have know idea who is behind the wheel or whether they give a crap about you or anyone else. Yeah, it may feel good at the moment to let out some frustration but is it really worth it? And yes, I've had my share of close calls, but a simple visit to the local PD or call to the State Police with a vehicle license has been my response.

Someone in one of our running groups did this to a car that wasn’t paying attention, and maybe came close to hitting someone (??), and the guy got out of his car and ran and yelled after them!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Sorry, I have to disagree with this advice. When you're out running and try to engage or take on someone or something without knowing what that someone or thing are you are escalating the situation. You have know idea who is behind the wheel or whether they give a crap about you or anyone else. Yeah, it may feel good at the moment to let out some frustration but is it really worth it? And yes, I've had my share of close calls, but a simple visit to the local PD or call to the State Police with a vehicle license has been my response.

From our lack of help from the local police from my husband’s hit and run, he doubts they really care as its better business to deal with the duis or drug people (although Naples has had an rough start to the year with murders for the first time ever). He does run with pepper spray and a metal thing in addition to his go pro. He believes in protecting himself. He just doesn’t carry while he runs because it would be too heavy. He does carry on our long walks with Gantu

 

[huskies90]

Yeah, it may feel good at the moment to let out some frustration but is it really worth it?

It’s not about feeling good. I am out there every day on the streets. I am an easy target. If someone wants to “get me” with his car, I have no chance anyway. I don’t do this to make me feel good. I do it to let the driver know that me and other runners are out there and drivers need to watch out for us. Like I said, when I’ve done this, the driver hits the brakes because he/she was not paying attention and didn’t see me and is most likely thankful after panicking and then realizing they didn’t actually hit me. I don’t know the statistics but I bet more runners have been injured or killed by a driver not paying attention than a driver who has road rage against the runner. I feel like though it may be risky instigating an incident the benefit may save me or another runner down the road from getting hit.

 

[PkbaughAR]

ATTQOTD: Against traffic except when oncoming traffic has limited sight distance, like blind hills or blind left curves/turns.

Same here! Even though I almost always run in the street in my neighborhood, I want to be able to see what’s coming!

 

[Baloo in MI]

ATYQOTD: I am a big guy so I go through shoes pretty quick, 250-300 miles on my street shoes and 300-400 on my trail shoes. I probably purchase 6 pair a year. I am a big fan of Ghosts for the street and Hoka Speedgoats for the trail. I am lucky in that twice a year my LRS has a great sale and I tend to buy 3 to 4 pair at a time. Because my mileage was way down last year and I could not stop myself from buying a few during the course of the injury I have 7 pairs of shoes in the basement still in the box! I am set through Dopey 2020 and beyond!

ATTQOTD: If I have the choice I am running on trails. But when it is the sidewalk vs street I will always choose the sidewalk. If that is not an option I will run against traffic and I actively attempt to make eye contact with each passing car. I have been run off the road once because the driver was not paying attention until the last second. I literally jumped out of the way and fell into a yard. The driver had the gall to then yell at me... I was fine but since am a little jumpy (see what I did there) when running on the road.

 

[JulieODC]

ATTQOTD: Always, always, always against traffic UNLESS I am cresting a blind hill. Then I will cross over till I can see the other side again. My reasoning is drivers can be distracted for a myriad of reasons and car wins against runner 100% of the time.

This exactly.

I also assume every car is distracted or under the influence, so I can be prepared to leap if needed. And I never cross a street unless I’ve made eye contact with a driver and they are stopped.

I’ve also taken to throwing my arms up and calling out drivers who are going too fast or not stopping appropriately at intersections.

 

[LdyStormy76]

For those of you who run in the street, how reflective and visible are you? Are you truly visible a half block away? DH takes the 5:40 am train and driving him to the train station is a daily exercise in spotting the runners wearing dark clothing with little to no light or refelective strips and hoping they obey traffic signals and do not suddenly decide to run across the road.