Running Safety Gadgets and Clothing

Runners are concerned about safety.  As a female we are concerned about safety and choose our routes and times we run carefully.  Dusk, dawn and night hours are times when reflective gear is extremely beneficial.  There are a lot of gadgets marketed to keep runners safe and there are some items to consider if you looking to add to your safety arsenal.

• Nite Ize- Marker Band- LED light is visible up to a mile away.The adjustable band can fit your arm comfortably. My girlfriend got me one a couple years ago and I like mine so much I have given them away as gifts for about $10. 
• Safety vests - 5 years ago when I ran my first Ragnar Relay there weren't many options out there for safety vests. I bought a Brooks Nightlife vest with reflective piping which was expensive but it was like clothing and it fit well as compared to the construction vests avaialable then.  Now, the vest isn't on the approved list because it's just piping and not as safe as the reflective vest you can buy now. Today in addition to standard, fabric reflective vests, the vests are light weight, many just have reflective straps making them ultra light weight.   

Somer, with Good Clean Food and my bestest buddy,  wears a headlamp, safety vest and Nite Ize band at Wasatch Ragnar Relay

• Clothing - Various companies make clothing with reflective properties. One company that I'm impressed with their marketing and think their shirts are very reflective.  Be Seen has clothing with a great big giant emblem that is reflective. I haven't bought one yet mainly but am considering buying shirts from them for my Ragnar team in February 2013.
• Headlamps- If you don't have a headlamp you need one.  Matter of fact, you need two or three.  I have one in my car, one in the kitchen drawer, one in my running gear and one in my camping gear.  These are great for flashlights, barbecuing, looking at the sprinkler box at night, backpacking, camping and of course running.  If you run a Ragnar Relay they are mandatory and I like to use my own so I don't have to swap sweat.
• Road ID- Back in 2011 I posted about Road ID and how I was a big fan.  Road ID is a simple metal ID that you can wear on your shoe, choose the necklace, the anklet or bracelet version.  There is comfort for me knowing that on every run with my shoe ID that I have identification with me and my medical information can be easily obtained. 

*I have not received payment or free product to mention these in my blog. I would however be happy to receive something and give a full review.

What is your favorite safety gadget or clothing?

Happy Running!

Road ID - Coupon Code(s) for Your Order

I'm a big fan of Road ID, which is identification you can put on your shoe, wrist or necklace. I've had the shoe version for about 4 years and it gives me a level of security that if anything happens to me out on the road I'm not some Joan Doe but I actually have a name and emergency contact information.  I attach it to my shoe and keep it one until I change into a different pair of shoes.

I've had multiple Road ID's for different shoes and a couple years ago switched to the Interactive version so when I moved, changed phone numbers, etc, I didn't need a new Road ID.  I bought one for my boyfriend and tell my friends about it since I think it's such a good idea.  I've also been known to stop on a run to talk to paramedics to make sure they know many athletes have Road ID's and they should look for it.

Recently I bought one for my friend and Road ID sent me an email thanking me for the order and a coupon code for my friends.  If you're interested in a Road ID check out their website.

Here are coupon codes for RoadID
-$2 off your order.  The code is ARR8768 and expires 3/31/13.
- free shipping a $1.49 value. The code is ARR6263 expires 12/31/13
-10% entire purchase pcRWDEC12 expires 12/24/12


Happy Running! 

Ragnar Relay Safety

If you read my race report on the Ragnar Relay you also heard about the runner hit by a car in the middle of the night. Robby, only 18 years old, unfortunatly passed away 4 days later.  One reader commented feeling like Ragnar didn't care enough about safety.  The reader talked to many runners who also didn't feel safe during the race therefore the race wasn't safe and Ragnar was at fault.  Was that runner asking other runners just looking for people to support the question of feeling unsafe?  Or was the runner unbiased looking for runners who also felt safe.  What about the runners who felt safe AND unsafe at various times during the race.  How were those people counted?

Although I have not seen a DPS report or heard facts not circulated by rumors, I do know that Robby was supporting a fellow runner and needed to cross a highway to get water to his teammate.  I belive this was also the case of the runner who died at the Vegas Ragnar Relay.  I have heard, but have no confirmation, that both gentleman were not wearing a reflective vest.  Would a reflective vest have helped the Vegas runner hit by a drunk driver?  Would a vest have helped Robby if he did indeed step into traffic?  We will never know those answers.

During Ragnar there were many times that I thought about the traffic coming towards me.  At a high level did I feel my safety was at risk, yes?  But everytime I go out on the road with cars, I put my safety at risk.  I try and pay attention to the cars, watch the direction they are going, make sure they see me if there are at a stop waiting to make a turn.  If I'm out on the road I have to be aware of my surroundings and the drivers out there are the road.

After running 4 Ragnars I strongly feel that if you are outside the van at night, running or not, you should be wearing a reflective vest.  It is our responsibility to be visible.  Ragnar had electronic signs posted along major roads saying there runners are on the road but the roads are not closed and often there are no cones.  Runners go against traffic except in some situations where they run with the traffic.  From dusk to dawn the runner is required to wear a reflective vest, a headlamp and a buttlight.  Ragnar increased the vest requirement at the last minute from 2-4 vests per team and encouraged people at night to be visable and wear the vests even if not running.  At exchanges police enforced the requirement of wearing a vest if crossing the street and this was before the accident occurred.  I admit that I didn't wear my vest at all times when outside of the van nor did my teammates.  This was poor respect for safety and the cars and I vow next time to do better.

I also believe that runners should carry their own water. There are so many devices from handheld water bottles, water belts to camelbacks to make it easy for runners to carry their own water.  If a runner can't go without water for the distance, they should carry their own water.  This way it is the responsibility of the runner and not the van to give runner support. The van can still cheer, although stopping on the road and driving slow is a BIG hazard.  The van has a responsibility of getting the next runner to the next exchange and giving the next runner ample time to use the restroom, warm up or stretch.  More than once I have been rushed and stressed when we didn't get to the exchange early because we were giving runner support less than 2 miles from the next exchange.

Overall I feel Ragnar handled safety well. Could they do a better job?  Sure they could.  Could I do a better job with my awareness and safety?  Yes, I could as well.  On no terms am I trying to minimize the death of the two runners killed in the Vegas or Arizona relays. The death of Robby had an affect on me along with the death of a Phoenix runner back in December (who was not running a race).  I have also thought a lot about the horror his team mates must have seen right after the accident. The deaths have helped me be more aware of my safety, visability and where I run.  Anytime we runners go out on the road, race or not, we are putting ourselves in a position where something could go wrong. I choose to not live in fear of what could happen.  If I did live in fear of this I would never go out for a run outside or even drive my car or take an airplane.  There is risk in everything we do and we have to take responsibility for our own actions to minimize our risk.

The bottom line is please be safe while out there on the road and take the needed precautions.

Happy Running!

Jogger in Phoenix Hit by Car

On Tuesday night, around 7pm a jogger was hit while running with his wife.You can read the article HERE.   The article says that jogging in a bike lane is against the law in all cases where a sidewalk is present.  I did not know about this law and wanted to find the source.  After many attempts I finally found the state pedestrian laws for Arizona. http://www.pagnet.org/Default.aspx?tabid=489  28-796 B says  "If sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian walking along and on a highway shall walk when practicable only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic that may approach from the opposite direction."

So the law has nothing to do with a bike lane.  If there is a sidewalk, a pedestrian should be on the sidewalk.  Period.  I personally don’t like to run on the sidewalk because cement is less giving than asphalt.  Not only is the physical surface harder, it can have cracks, uneven surfaces and curbs and my pace is slower as I navigate the obstacles.  The obstacles could cause an injury, although an injury from being hit by a car is much worse.   I have often found that the sidewalks are darker than the streets.  The sidewalks are often set back far from the streets and street lights, when there are some, do not light up the sidewalk enough.  Plus there are often plants and bushes making it even darker and harder to see the uneven surfaces.   One could argue that a headlamp would resolve seeing the sidewalk and hazards.

In Arizona, in the event of a pedestrian and auto accident and a sidewalk is available, the pedestrian may not have as much recourse since they were breaking the law.   If you read the Runners World article a couple months ago about Jenny Crain, a runner training for the Olympic trials, you’ll know that although the driver is being sued, because the crosswalk light for her wasn’t green, the amount of money to be awarded will be greatly reduced.  

Not only do I feel horrible for the runner but I feel sorry for the driver of the vehicles that hit him.  For any accident, the driver must have a huge burden to carry after an accident.  If alcohol or drugs were involved I still feel bad for I do have less compassion for them.  I would be devastated if I ever caused injury to someone.

Three nights ago, before I had heard of the accident, John and I were out running, in the bike lane (a sidewalk was available) and I was very aware that we were wearing completely dark clothes.  I even mentioned it to him that we were not visible.  I have a Brooks night vest that I sometimes wear but don't wear it frequently. And although for most (but not all ) of the route we are against traffic, there are often times car take turns too close or don’t see us running along.    

Taking action and changing behavior, I made sure I ran against traffic and although I still ran in the street I was very aware of the cars and even thought it was light when I started my run, I wore my Brooks Night vest because I knew that it would be dark soon.  The bottom line is, whether I choose to run on the road or the sidewalk, if its dark out, I better consider safety and wear reflective clothing. I vow to dress smarter for evening and early morning runs in 2010.

Do you know the laws of the road for your state?  

Do you run on the streets or sidewalks?  

If you were a street runner and knew you were breaking the law, would you continue to run on the streets?  

Do you make sure you are visible at night?