The Running Thread - 2019

[LSUlakes]

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.

ATTQOTD: Where I run sidewalks are few and far between so running on the road happens the majority of the time. I always run against traffic. Two main reasons for this, the first being I feel like I have a better chance of not getting hit as I can move out of the way of a car thats not paying attention. The second is I am almost sure it's a law to run against traffic.

 

[gjramsey]

ATYQOTD: Seems like I usually buy 3-4 pairs of shoes a year. However, I currently have 3 pair still in boxes in the closet, so this year might be 1 maybe 0! LOL. I guess I went overboard last year, and did not run as many miles as the previous years.

ATTQOTD: When I do my early morning runs, I will usually stick to the streets and run with traffic. Since I do not run with headphones, most of the time when I hear a car behind me, I will move to the other side of street. If a car is coming towards me, I feel like it gives me the most room if they are not paying attention. It seems like between 4:30 and 5:30, the number of critters out and about outnumbers cars by a large margin, so I feel safest this way. On afternoon runs, I will run against traffic, since the number of cars is so much larger, and will bail to the sidewalk on the narrower streets where cars like to speed.

 

[Mickey Momma]

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.

 

[flav]

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.

ATTQOTD: Exactly what @Mickey Momma said.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Attqotd: Whether running or walking the dog, we go against the traffic. Our street doesn’t have sidewalks. I want to make sure I know what’s coming at me and if we need to move. We don’t have hills so I don’t have to worry about blind spots.

 

[PrincessV]

Good morning everyone and hope you had a great weekend! For todays 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?

ATYQOTD: Ummm... too many?! But at least 50-75% get returned after trying them on (I order online through Running Warehouse with my running group's discount) and saying "nope," so there's that, at least. This year's been BAD: I was diagnosed as neutral after spending years in stability shoes (and having constant issue with the stability shoes), and I have Princess & The Pea feet, so I've gone through many, many shoes, trying to find some winners. And I've still got some more coming to try. So far, I'm loving the NB Beacon and 890v6, like the Brooks Ghost 11 for distances up to around 10 miles, and seem to be enjoying the Brooks Glycerin 16. If I really love a shoe and it goes on clearance, I'll buy at lest one more pair, even if I won't need them for a while, so that impacts my number of purchases per year, too.

I don't tend to get more than 200-275 miles out of a pair, so when you project that out with running 1100-1200 miles in a typical year, the numbers get high really quickly.

Right!? I can never figure out how people get 500+ miles out of a shoe! I'm a forefoot runner and the outsole on the center forefoot of my shoes is worn flat by 200-250 miles, leaving me with no traction - a major problem living in FL, where the pavement is wet and slippery 90% of the time. Some shoes were even gone at 180! The heels are practically pristine and new, but that doesn't do me any good.

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.

ATTQOTD: ALWAYS against traffic. Why? Because it's the law here in FL, and it's the law because it's the safest way to be a pedestrian on the roadway!

 

[Jules76126]

ATYQOTD: In the past, about two pairs. I am thinking it may be more this year since my mileage has increased. I always wear Nike Pegasus. I am on the hunt for a new pair, but refuse to pay full price so hoping a dream shows up soon. Got my last pair for $55.

ATTQOTD: Always against traffic. I feel safer that way on any main roads. If I am running in neighborhoods, I don't worry as much as there is always plenty of room to go around and tons of kids out and about so people tend to drive slow.

 

[AntimonyER]

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

 

[rteetz]

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.

Typically run against traffic. That’s the way I’ve always thought runners/walkers were supposed to run. Cars won’t freak me out from behind then either I can see what’s coming at me.

 

[ZellyB]

ATTQOTD: Against traffic unless as others said there's some road condition that makes it less safe. I always hope I could dive out of the way if they don't see me!

 

[Professor_Cookie]

attqotd:

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

Same

 

[TheHamm]

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.

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.

I am equally enraged by bicyclist over 8 years old on the sidewalk when this is also explicitly prohibited as they are directed to ride in the vehicle lane 'as far to the right as practicable' which as a former bike commuter can be far too close to traffic for my comfort at time.

 

[huskies90]

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.

ATTQOTD: Always against traffic as others have said.

However, running against traffic puts me in probably the most dangerous situation which I encounter dozens of times especially because I run in areas that are heavily populated with traffic and crossing many side roads. As I am running, a driver approaches the intersection and is turning right. All too often, the driver only looks to their left and doesn't see me coming from his/her right side. Many times they don't even stop if the traffic coming from their left is clear. I always assume they do not see me and stop or run behind the car as it approaches. If I run behind the car and it at least slows down at the intersection, I will often slap the back of the car hard as they are turning to let them know they didn't see me. I usually look back and can see their brake lights and can only assume they are panicking that they just hit me. My guess the next time they come to an intersection and turn right, they will look both ways...

 

[FFigawi]

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.

Like everyone else, ALWAYS against traffic. I want to see the person who's going to run me over as it gives me a chance to move out of the way. I've had to bang on more than a few car hoods and windows over the years which is a far better alternative than being hit from behind.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

ATTQOTD: As a rule, I run against traffic. Occasionally I'll duck to the other side if it's super muddy, but I try to be very aware. There is no worse feeling than being "in the zone" and have a car sneak up on you... definitely try to keep my headphones low.
Yesterday: Seems that I buy 2ish pairs per year. And I desperately need to get rid of some old pairs...

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Like everyone else, ALWAYS against traffic. I want to see the person who's going to run me over as it gives me a chance to move out of the way. I've had to bang on more than a few car hoods and windows over the years which is a far better alternative than being hit from behind.

It’s one of the reasons why my husband now runs with a Go-Pro on his chest especially since he did get hit this past December. He’s had to hit cars hoods before that as well!

 

[GreatLakes]

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 usually buy 2 to 4 based on mileage and what needs replacing. I have three running shoes in rotation at all times, training shoes, racing flats, and trail shoes. the later two last longer as they get less miles. I have been averaging 450 miles on my shoes that past few years.

My daily training shoes haven't changed in a decade. They work so why change. I usually just go with the racing flats that are on sale and haven't landed on a trail shoe I love yet so every few years when those get replaced I shop based on fit and feel.

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 just about always run in the road even when there are sidewalks with only a few exceptions. I find it safer. Not only do cars not look when pulling out past the sidewalk to the street but our streets are generally in better shape and are often blacktop instead of cement or, even worse, slate.

By default I always run against traffic. Study upon study has found this safer but I do have a few exceptions. If the sun is down low (usually the evening for me) I won't run with the sun behind me since cars can't see me through it. I will also change sides of the road if traffic allows and I'm about to go into a band that will allow cars going the same way as me to see me easier. If I'm running North and the road bends West for example I'll move over until I'm past the Apex so I'm more visible.

Just as important I never, under any circumstances, run with even one headphone in. Not only does it ruin the run by taking me out of the concentration but it makes it harder to hear cars.

 

[Mickey Momma]

Guys - I am so excited. I may have a budding runner on my hands with my 12-year-old son! He has shown interest on and off the past couple years and, when I brought up the possibility of training for a 5K a few weeks ago, he was all in. He just compared his enjoyment of running to his beloved middle school technology club!!

 

[roxymama]

ATTQOTD: Always against traffic. I prefer running in the street unless I am on an extremely busy road and then sidewalk by default. Because I live in an area where most houses only have one car garages or two car garages down alleys, we have LOTS of cars parallel parked on the streets. Even in neighborhoods with super long driveways because no one likes playing car Jenga to get a car out of the garage. So I run wide of those cars if the road is clear and then hide in between them or go up to sidewalk if it gets traffic-y.
And this is why I love races...open road!

 

[michigandergirl]

I just about always run in the road even when there are sidewalks with only a few exceptions. I find it safer. Not only do cars not look when pulling out past the sidewalk to the street but our streets are generally in better shape and are often blacktop instead of cement or, even worse, slate.

This. And I'll add that sidewalks have too many cracks and are often very uneven. About a year and a half ago I tripped while running on a sidewalk and went down hard, badly skinning my knee, elbow and both hands. I now avoid sidewalks.