I do a fair bit of running around the streets of Kilkenny, and I have a few little things I’m aware of that I try to keep in mind when doing so. It’s important to remember that we share the footpaths when we run. I’ve seen plenty of people who either think they own the footpath or are completely unware of how selfish they are.

I also run at various times of the day and all year round. Running on the streets in the dark is a different proposition to daylight running, and I believe there are some other things to consider.

Enough with the pontificating, here are the chunky bits.

Give Space

Don’t run close to pedestrians, give them a wide berth. BUT MY GARMIN WILL … I don’t care. If you’re that bothered about your times, go do some track running. It’s intimiating for pedestrians when they hear the heavy thud of running feet, especially when approaching from behind. In general I move either to the road (if there’s no traffic) or change sides of the road. Show some respect, it’s not difficult.

Don’t Match Pace

If you’re out running and you happen to be running at almost the same pace as someone else, don’t! Just stop and let them go, or speed up and overtake, or take another route. This is especially true if you’re a man and the other runner is a woman. BUT I’M NOT … I don’t care. Again this is something easy to avoid, and you can make life that little bit less uncomfortable for others.

Go Wide

If you go belting tight into a corner, there’s a strong chance there’s someone coming the opposite way. That someone may be a pensioner, a wheelchair user, a child, etc. It doesn’t matter who they are, because the other party will come off worst from this encounter. Stay wide, and slow down. Simples.

Illumination Please

Run where there is light as running on poorly lit roads can put your safety at risk, whether that is from an ankle turn, or a fall, or an assault. Putting your health at risk is not worth it, we’re doing this for the opposite reasons.

Drivers are trying to kill you

Assume all drivers are trying to kill you. Yeah yeah BUT NOT ALL DRI … I don’t care. Be in control of your own destiny. Don’t just step off footpaths, be aware, especially if you’re wearing headphones/ear buds. Some high-viz clothing may help you stand-out but don’t rely on it. That fluoro is not going to protect you from the metal block that smacks into you.

New Routes

Maybe you’re really happy to be running the same route almost every day, but I love to try new roads, lanes, routes. If I’m going somewhere to run an errand, say Waterford, I stick my runners in the car and when I’m finished up, I might do a short trot around unfamilar (or forgotten) roads. It’s nice to blow the cobwebs away, and keeps training fresher.

Sssssshh

Don’t go on and on about your running. Enjoy doing it, not talking about it incessantly (wait a minute, you’re going on about it right now!)

Right that’s enough from me. Trot on fellow trotters.