Safety reminder!

You might have gotten the impression that I love fall.

There is something I don’t like about fall though.  While fall isn’t the only season guilty of this, it has the unfortunate job of making it all that more apparent.  I am talking, of course, about the decreasing daylight. It is now dark long into my morning runs.

With decreased daylight, there are different potential hazards.  One of the biggest hazards that we really have the power to avoid is, of course, traffic.  For better or for worse, I change my running habits in the fall to keep myself safe:

• It is no longer safe for me to run at the side of country roads; I am relegated instead to trying to find interesting routes in town, sticking to sidewalks as much as possible.

• I make myself visible.  Wearing reflective gear is a really good start.  If it is still too warm for your jacket with reflective strips, you can buy reflective vests, bands and strips anywhere that sells safety supplies.  These can attach with adhesive, Velcro, magnets, or even just snap around wrists or ankles.  Remember, however, that reflective gear relies on outside light sources to be visible.

• Another option to consider is gear that has a built-in light source.  This could be anything from bicycle blinkers to headlamps.  Headlamp bonus: not only can others see you, you can see what’s in your path, from potholes to puddles, to people and animals.

I am not endorsing any particular brand, however, if you visit the Fuel Belt website, you can get an idea of the types of options I am talking about.

As a runner who also happens to be a driver, I want to add that I am always very grateful to people who take measures to be visible.  To the people I have heard say they will look stupid, first I disagree, but secondly, “stupid” beats out “road pizza” any day!

So please, do your best to be seen.