Runners in the street

[melinda]

Maybe someone who runs can explain this to me. It's 6:15 am and still dark outside. I am driving down Cool Springs Blvd. The sidewalks are clear, no people on them from McEwen to Carothers. No snow on them. Yet a runner in a dark blue jogging suit is running in the street. Why is it necessary for him to run in the street instead of the sidewalk ?

[mbeach]

Because you were driving on sidewalk?

[melinda]

Well, I see you have a sense of humor !

[Holstein's]

Well you probably will not like the answer but the reality of it is the runners personal preference...

1) Typically high mileage runners will end up running in the street because in this area the streets are black top and the sidewalks are concrete.. concrete is harder and causes more jarring on the support structure.. add that into a 10 - 13 mile run and you can feel it. By design blacktop is softer and you can really tell a difference.

2) that sidewalk has a lot of "ups and downs" and when running you have a more even consistent surface on the street.

Now a runner should be running against traffic (so you should be driving straight at them)

I run a bit when I do a "long run" (over 8 miles) I will do most of it on the street if I do something smaller I will often just stay on the sidewalk. Now the other side also is it is early I do most of my running starting at 4:30 AM and typically I run down the middle of the street no cars outside..... but I use a red LED flasher to help me be visible, and if I see a car I get out of their way the best I can...

Hope that helps

C

[mbehrens]

I agree running is best on pavement vs concrete. Although I will admit after the ice storm when most the roads were covered with snow I did honk at a guy on liberty running almost on the center line since it was the only clean pavement. I could have easily hit the brakes and slid into him.
No worry Holstein, there wasn't an LED flasher so I know it wasn't you.

[jim chittum]

Hey Holstein,

I did some quick back-of-envelope calculations comparing the mass/velocity momentum of the typical SUV versus the typical jogger. Unless you are an exceptionally fast, extremely overweight jogger colliding with a very slow Mini Cooper, you are at a decided disadvantage.

Consequently I would recommend either a generous life insurance policy or a change of venue to a running track.

[Holstein's]

Hey Holstein,

I did some quick back-of-envelope calculations comparing the mass/velocity momentum of the typical SUV versus the typical jogger. Unless you are an exceptionally fast, extremely overweight jogger colliding with a very slow Mini Cooper, you are at a decided disadvantage.

Consequently I would recommend either a generous life insurance policy or a change of venue to a running track.

LOL

Yea I know but I ride (cycle) over 4,000 miles a year as well as run and swim... in the 15+ years I have been competing I have been hit by two cars.. so I understand the risk... Fact is on the bike I have the same right as a car (or SUV) and for the running some people are idiots but I can move pretty quick out of the way of a car.....

That said I do try to be as careful as I can and I use enough lights on my bike that cars move out of my way...

[davajohnston]

The only thing worse for your knees than running on concrete is getting hit by a car........