Widely promoted as one of the best methods to lose weight or at times used as warm-up for other sport and every so often as disciplinary action – Running has been a staple to better lifestyle. As safe as this physical activity looks like, since you are always manning your own pace, with just one blow, it can send a runner to hibernation minimum of one week.
I have been running since I was 15 years old; it is just impossible for someone who sees her Father as a hero to not follow his footsteps; he was running 7 miles every morning as his daily exercise. If he cannot run, he is somehow disappointed – this is his coffee. He once said that ‘something is missing’ if he has not ran that day.
I started running with lesser miles of course but grew to love the sport. Call it a brisk walk when I was too slow or a jog when my speed paced up a bit but I am used to waking up every morning at 5AM, ready to put on my running shoes and watch the city wakes up while I am moving on my feet. At 32, I have safely finished running an Ultra Marathon, plenty of my favorite Half Mary, several full marathons, and some short distance runs. I mentioned “safe”, did I? After 17 years of joining events and casually training every morning, I experienced that one blow that led me to where I am right now.
I have been nursing 6 wounds and a medium size hematoma on my left torso for a week now. What happened? It was a simple accident that led to another accident that led me to these battle scars. I would not go in to details but what I got from it was, even if you are practicing safety, accidents can still happen; you can lessen the impact though, if you have proper, protective gears and making sure you are always being extra careful.
I have listed 8 safety tips to keep in mind during runs:
Go against the flow.
Runners must always be aware of their surroundings specially during City Runs. RUNNING AGAINST TRAFFIC gives car drivers time to see you (or your reflector) in advance at the same time, you would also see them coming.
Be Flashy.
There is a reason why sport brands usually use bright colors for running gears; Neon apparel is fashion and safety combined. During long distance (state to state) running, when you run on dark paths where there are lesser aids, the brighter you wear, the better I must say.
Not too loud.
When I run half or lesser distance (that is 13.6 miles and less), I love listening to music all the way but in minimum volume – to hear if there is someone calling me or there’s a siren alarming an emergency. But during full, ultra and trail runs, I usually just have one earbud on and removing it from time to time to concentrate more on my pace, psychological stamina, and my surroundings. I bet it is different from other runners but this one works for me.
Cover and compression.
I would suggest that runners would start wearing light to half or full knee and elbow compression – for good blood circulation and an initial defense from scratch and bruises in case you accidentally trip and fall.
Less is best.
Try to lessen what you bring or wear during runs (unless you are running trail or ultras which needs proper headlights, vest, and GPS for tracking). The lighter, the better, the easier to run, the faster you reach your finish line.
Make sure people will know who you are.
Number 1 rule my Father taught me is always bring an ID when I go out for a run because you will never know what will happen. Enough said.
Know when to run, to jog and to stop.
During running events or competition, there will be hazards along the way but surely, the organizer would make it a point to have a safe race; contrast during your own training or your leisure runs, you must know the areas you can practice your speed and slopes where you need to slow down. Unless you are trying to beat Eliud Kipchoge and maintain the 2:50 speed per km, I am sure you can slow down at some unsafe curves.
Absorb this thought.
For long distance runners even short distance and those like me, who have been running for a long time, running surely makes us stronger (and might I also say wiser?) every day. It is the most exhilarating, tiring yet enjoying activity we do but safety should always comes first; Let us be reminded that we are not invincible but indeed, we are all AWESOME!
Photo from https://unsplash.com/
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