Top Ten Reasons Why Runners Are Nicer People

My family runs. My wife, my eleven year-old daughter, my nine year-old son, and even my two dogs love the thrill of getting outside to go for a jaunt through the woods or around the neighborhood. So, I took notice the other day when I heard someone say that "running families are always the nicest people." Of course, I always thought that was true, but it was gratifying to hear my secret theory being confirmed aloud in public by a complete stranger.

Why are running families made up of the nicest people?

Reason #1 Stress Relief - This one seems obvious. What better way to let go of the stress you absorb throughout the day than a run? I always return feeling much better after a run.

Reason #2 Common Ground - Our family talks about running, shoes, racing schedules, diet, PRs, and other running topics. We all contribute to the conversation and we all are invested in the subject. How many other sports allow for the entire family to participate in the same event and be on the same team?

Reason #3 Shared Pain - Who doesn't appreciate the agony of side stitches, blisters, and running hills? If you have done it yourself, you appreciate and empathize with others.

Reason #4 Shared Joy - Age group awards, personal bests, great runs, new trails, and successful races are shared accomplishments to be enjoyed and celebrated by all.

Reason #5 Environmental Awareness - We take care of the world we occupy. To run on the roads makes one appreciate safe drivers and responsible pet owners. It makes you think about your role in keeping the environment safe and clean for yourself and others. 

Reason #6 Healthy Living - When your healthy, your usually happy. Running helps keep all of us healthier so that we can avoid the pitfalls of poor health.

Reason #7 Goal Setting - Long term goal setting contributes to a focused and positive attitude. runners have to see the bigger picture and appreciate that hard work produces results.

Reason #8 Discipline - See Goal 7. Perseverance takes lots of personal discipline. This carries over into other aspects of life including school and work.

Reason #9 Humility - There is always somebody running faster or further than you. Runners know this and remain some of the most unpretentious people I know.

Reason #10 Self Confidence - When you train hard and you feel good about yourself it shows. Hold your head high and run with your back straight and your eyes forward.

Running on the Winter Roads

Winter running presents many challenges to even the most diehard runners. Among the worst are the frigid temperatures, shorter days and icy roads. We can put on more clothing to combat the dropping temperatures and we can run later in the morning or earlier in the afternoon to avoid the dark, but the icy roads present the greatest threat.

Icy or snowy roads mean two things: poor driving conditions and slippery surfaces. Let's cover them one at a time.

It pays to be a defensive runner. Jump in the snowbank if you have to! Drivers often forget you might be out there. Often times they are hurriedly making their way to work and have only a small area of windshield from which to see the roads as their defrosters try hard to clear the rest. Couple that with the slippery conditions and poor manueverabiltiy and it's really scary to be out there. YOU must be watching for THEM. It doesn't pay to play chicken with a 2 ton vehicle.

Runners also have slippery conditions to contend with. It can be difficult just staying upright and on your feet. I have found an easy way to combat the slippery roads. This solution costs almost nothing- a few hexagonal metal screws and an old pair of running shoes. One thing to note: I did develop a blister on one foot where the screw caused some pressure. I moved the screw to another location and the problem went away.

Check out this video from Runners World:

Runner visits Emergency Room

Ok, so it is ironic that my last post was about bicycle safety. I found myself in the Emergency Room at a local hospital less than a week later trying to stem the flow of blood from my broken nose and assuring everyone around me that I was just fine. My pride and my vanity were actually hurt more than my nose, due to fact that I was sitting in a room full of strangers for hours on end in my bicycle shorts.

It started out as a beautiful fall morning with the sun just coming up over the horizon to set the stage for a nice 75 degree day along the seacoast. I figured I would take the day off from running- I'd already put in over 30 miles that week. I inflated the tires on my road bike, grabbed my water bottle, my helmet, an energy bar, and my phone and headed out. Note the phone... it is perhaps the most important piece of equipment to carry with you on a long ride.

I was really into a rhythm by mile 14. The pace was about 18-20 mph and I was feeling strong. I crested a hill and things changed instantly. The first thing I saw was a vehicle stopped in the opposite lane. The driver had taken it upon himself to stop and wave two walkers across the road. Nobody behind him, nobody ahead of him. Why he stopped and felt the need to direct traffic is beyond me.

The first walker stepped out into my lane. I am 60 feet away. She looks at me and steps quickly across the road into the safety of the other lane. I am 40 feet away. Walker number two looks at me and steps into my lane. I am 25 feet away. Walker number two waves her hands and steps back off the road. I am 10 feet away. Inexplicably, walker number two decides to cross the road after all. I am 0 feet away. We collide as I try to avoid her and bail to the left. My nose hits the cross bar and I leave some skin on the asphalt. My brake lever gets twisted and my chain derails.

As I said, I was feeling strong. My blood was coursing through my veins. Now, it was pouring out of my nose and dripping on the white paint of the cross walk. The pain hadn't set in yet, it was just the ticklish sensation of the blood falling in drips from the end of my nose that told me something wasn't right.

I checked on the pedestrian that I had knocked over. She was fine with the exception of a sprained ankle. I told her the fault was mine as well as hers. It was simply an accident. I called my wife and told her my location and asked that she hurry if possible. That was enough to get my message across. The details would only cause her to worry.

That's how this runner ended up in the emergency room. Be safe out there. Run, cycle, and walk defensively. Nobody cares about your safety as much as you do. Remember that.

Oh- and the car that stopped and waved the walkers across the road.. it took off immediately after seeing the accident. No offer to assist, no apology, no class.