Dear Cars and Drivers,
It's Jennifer, the girl you passed on the road this morning. I was the one running, ponytail swinging in the wind, visible breaths coming from my mouth in the cool crisp air. You know, the one, you almost hit but got lucky and looked up from your cell phone just quickly enough to swerve and miss me. You don't scare me, though; you're not the first SUV to send me jumping to the edge of the road, but you got me thinking. Maybe we need a little bit of an introduction and maybe a few ground rules, just to make the roads safer for me and less liable for you.
First of all, yes I am running. By choice. I set my alarm, rolled out of bed and into my tennis shoes for the enjoyment of a workout, not to be taunted by 2 ton machines driven by distracted drivers.
Secondly, I am on the road because if you'll notice, there are no sidewalks. Our town did not earn the honor of "Best Places to Live and Workout" in Runner's World magazine, and so I'm expecting you to share the roads. If there were a sidewalk i would certainly use it, but i'm not going to stay home because there isn't one.
And yes, i may be pushing a stroller and Yes, there is a real baby in there. No need to slow down and rubber neck as you pass us. ANy idea how much a babysitter goes for these days?
One word for you-- Texting. Need i say more? There are laws against it because we already have statistics. I don't want to be one more statistic and I'm sure you also don't want to make headlines for striking a woman pushing a jog stroller b/c you were reminding your spouse to TIVO your favorite show via ILLEGAL text.
McDonalds. It's called fast food because you can get it quickly, not because you are supposed to drive fast while you eat it. Let's leave it at this. If you have to steer with your knee in order to consume your Value Meal, you are literally one knee jerk away from making my husband a widower. And he's a big guy.
A little consideration, please. I'm not asking that you go out of your way to give me the whole lane to run in, but really, if it's 6 am and you are the only car on the road would it really kill you to move into the center lane so that my obituary doesn't read "Died while running," or "fought a Buick and lost."
And just a little warning. You may not be able to see it, but I do have my cell phone with me and I wouldn't even hesitate to call the police and share with them your tag number, your estimated speed, or your extracurricular activities I spot as you careen past me.
Now, isn't that easy. We can all agree that a little courtesy on both sides of the road will go along way in encouraging others to take up running, walking, or cycling as a pasttime. If we can do this, maybe then we WILL be chosen as one of those cities that magazines praise for their safe roads, considerate drivers, and low obesity rates. And when you pass me and I wave, I'm just being friendly. Wave back, or better yet, just smile. Keep both of those hands on the wheel:)
Lots of Love,
The Girl in the Nikes
