A note to runners

It's wonderful that you're out getting some exercise. But when you're out for an evening run, on a rainy night, running in the street, you should wear light colors. Or even better, something reflective.

Brett took me to drop off my car for maintenance tonight, and we grabbed a sandwich and headed home. Coming down our side street a woman was running towards us. As we approached I mentioned her because I could tell Brett couldn't see her. She in turn said something (our windows were up) and waved in a "get over" motion.

This is the second time it's happened to me, and few things have pissed me off more.

The first time, years ago, I didn't do anything about it but tonight I did. I hopped on the scooter and I rode down the street until I found her. And I said "I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry we were so close to you, but you're really not visible."

Her response was to tug at her gray sweatshirt and say "really?"

We chatted for a minute and she seemed to at least be open to what I was saying, but then she said "well maybe next time I should wear an orange cone." I love passive agressive.

So I simply said "or maybe one of those reflective belts they make for runners."

And with that she turned and jogged away.

7 comments:

Karena said...

Really, I have trouble with seeing at night, so you are so right about reflective clothing if out exercizing.

Karena
Art by Karena

ArchitectDesign™ said...

well you tried! When you see it on the news that she was hit (god forbid) you can't possibly blame yourself. You did all you could )other than ram her rude head up into an orange cone!).

Living the life in The Little City said...

You did the right thing. She clearly has her head up her butt, or she would have thanked you instead of acting so rudely.

By the way, I like your latest goodwill find. I'll have to post a photo of the radio/record player cabinet from the forties or fifties that we picked up for free on the side of the road a few blocks away.

home before dark said...

Combining the images mentioned by AD and Kathleen above, maybe after her head is removed from her butt it will glow in the dark. Here is Lawrence brilliant people think wearing all black and jogging or riding their all-black bikes is a really stylish thing to do. You may have to drive your scooter down here and become Superman or at least the Enforcer.

Russ Manley said...

Bully for you, David. You'd think self-preservation would be a jogger's primary concern, but no . . . .

Decorno said...

Ha. I love your deadpan response. It's really great you told her that. I bet you that she really did consider what you said later... it's probably hard to be a type-A runner (no judgement from my lazy ass!!) and to be called out for wearing a supersmart BLACK outfit while you run in the dark.

I live on a very popular Seattle bike route and, happily, a lot of cyclists wear smart gear. But some don't and it infuriates me. I am as safe as I can be, but with hundreds of cyclists passing our nearest intersection every day, I feel like the odds are stacked against me. I'm gonna hit someone someday and I am going to be real pissed if I have to wipe people bits off my car just because some idiot didn't think safety orange was his "color".

hello gorgeous said...

One of my pet peeves is when runners or biker riders ride against traffic. It's very often impossible to see them until the last minute.

Riding out to her sounds like something I would do. Ha.