running on country roads

hollypink

I normally run in the Phoenix Park but I'll be over in the West of Ireland for Christmas so my options for running are on narrow country roads with lots of bends. I usually wear a brightly coloured or high viz top and I don't use earphones so I can hear cars coming from a distance. My parents say they won't walk on the roads at home because they feel it's too dangerous as people drive very fast (you don't get a lot of cars on those roads so I think it lulls drivers into a false sense of security that they won't meet another vehicle or other obstacle around the bend, so they drive faster than they should). I would only run during the day, but at this time of year, it can be quite dull even in the middle of the day. I'm planning to wear this top that I got from Wiggle (it was the cheapest high viz one at the time!)

For any of you who run in the country, do you have any safety advice? Do any of you avoid running on country roads completely? I'm just worried that maybe it's not safe. There are some trails that I could run on but I'd have to drive about 10 miles to get to them and there's a beach I like to run on sometimes but again I'd have to drive to it so neither option is very convenient.

Ososlo

hollypink wrote: »

I normally run in the Phoenix Park but I'll be over in the West of Ireland for Christmas so my options for running are on narrow country roads with lots of bends. I usually wear a brightly coloured or high viz top and I don't use earphones so I can hear cars coming from a distance. My parents say they won't walk on the roads at home because they feel it's too dangerous as people drive very fast (you don't get a lot of cars on those roads so I think it lulls drivers into a false sense of security that they won't meet another vehicle or other obstacle around the bend, so they drive faster than they should). I would only run during the day, but at this time of year, it can be quite dull even in the middle of the day. I'm planning to wear this top that I got from Wiggle (it was the cheapest high viz one at the time!)

For any of you who run in the country, do you have any safety advice? Do any of you avoid running on country roads completely? I'm just worried that maybe it's not safe. There are some trails that I could run on but I'd have to drive about 10 miles to get to them and there's a beach I like to run on sometimes but again I'd have to drive to it so neither option is very convenient.

I'll have a similar problem over the holiday hollypink and have been advised to just not run on the country roads full stop. There are rarely walkers out the roads, let alone runners. I'll have to drive to my nearest town where there are street lights so maybe you could do the same or drive to the trail runs when you can? I know it's not that convenient for you but you have to put your safety first. Perhaps you could run around fields? I might try doing this too although I'd say it would be a very hard work-out and you'd have to watch your footing carefully. Happy Christmas running and be careful out there

seamus

I was away one weekend, went out for a run and because of a closed road, I ended up doing 10km along the side of a country road. It was actually fine, some people passed quite close, but when you're facing the oncoming traffic it's not that scary. The option of diving into the ditch was always there, and I made every effort to stop and stand well in if there was a bend or lines of cars oncoming.

Basic rules;
- Obviously run against the traffic.
- Run in the middle of the day - most accidents happen in the morning and late afternoon, and it's brightest at lunchtime.
- Try to find the quietest route you can. Proper narrow country roads (L roads) are most likely safer than two-lane main routes (R or N roads), because traffic will naturally travel more slowly.
- Poor visibility is the worst IMO. If you can, avoid running in rainy or even overcast conditions. You can see the cars from a few hundred meters, but rain on the outside of the windscreen and condensation on the inside can leave them with a very narrow field of vision, high-vis or otherwise.
- Weekends are better than weekdays because there's little or no heavy vehicles (busses and trucks), but that should be less of an issue over Xmas anyway.

Ososlo

seamus wrote: »

I was away one weekend, went out for a run and because of a closed road, I ended up doing 10km along the side of a country road. It was actually fine, some people passed quite close, but when you're facing the oncoming traffic it's not that scary. The option of diving into the ditch was always there, and I made every effort to stop and stand well in if there was a bend or lines of cars oncoming.

Basic rules;
- Obviously run against the traffic.
- Run in the middle of the day - most accidents happen in the morning and late afternoon, and it's brightest at lunchtime.
- Try to find the quietest route you can. Proper narrow country roads (L roads) are most likely safer than two-lane main routes (R or N roads), because traffic will naturally travel more slowly.
- Poor visibility is the worst IMO. If you can, avoid running in rainy or even overcast conditions. You can see the cars from a few hundred meters, but rain on the outside of the windscreen and condensation on the inside can leave them with a very narrow field of vision, high-vis or otherwise.

I'd worry about your personal safety though. I'm guessing you're femal hollypink. This is another factor to take into consideration. Hopefully if you were approached by a perons on the road or in a car you could run fast enough to get away. Get some good speed sessions in over the next few weeks:D

TFBubendorfer

I have been running on remote country roads for the last 8 years and have yet to have a close encounter.

In contrast seamus' advice I do most of my running very early in the morning. The roads are very quiet at that time of day, but I do see a couple of cars on virtually all of my runs.

The advice I can give is to wear bright clothing, and if it's dark then a high-viz vest is absolutely mandatory. Don't listen to music while on the road and generally run on the "other" side of the road, but use common sense on blind corners.

As I've said, I have been doing this for over 8 years now and I think the danger is often exaggerated, but being careful and applying common sense is generally the best advice.

seamus

I don't think personal safety is big enough of an issue to think about, but if you're worried, some running apps have a "track me" facility where people can view your position online. If you're not back home by the time you're supposed to be, your family can check to see where you are.

sconhome

The vast majority of my running is done on country roads and a few tips I would suggest are:

• Brightly coloured contrasting clothing. Make sure your body stands out relative to the background colours. If daytime running, dayglo colours such as yellow as good but bright pink or orange are stringer colours with more recognition by drivers.
• No music, headphones or other items that may restrict your hearing.
• Don't run tight to the ditch, run 1m off the ditch. This increases the drivers view of you and gives you somewhere to step when faced with oncoming vehicles. Driver is more likely to stop than to try and squeeze past.
• Be aware of traffic behind you too.
• Carry a headlamp or torch. If you get caught out in a sudden shower lights levels will drop dramatically. A lamp of torch will help you to be seen as you can flash it across a drivers field of vision, helping them to spot you.
• Failing any of the above, go offroad and into the woods or trails if possible.

rom

seamus wrote: »

I was away one weekend, went out for a run and because of a closed road, I ended up doing 10km along the side of a country road. It was actually fine, some people passed quite close, but when you're facing the oncoming traffic it's not that scary. The option of diving into the ditch was always there, and I made every effort to stop and stand well in if there was a bend or lines of cars oncoming.

Basic rules;
- Obviously run against the traffic.
- Run in the middle of the day - most accidents happen in the morning and late afternoon, and it's brightest at lunchtime.
- Try to find the quietest route you can. Proper narrow country roads (L roads) are most likely safer than two-lane main routes (R or N roads), because traffic will naturally travel more slowly.
- Poor visibility is the worst IMO. If you can, avoid running in rainy or even overcast conditions. You can see the cars from a few hundred meters, but rain on the outside of the windscreen and condensation on the inside can leave them with a very narrow field of vision, high-vis or otherwise.

A cheap euroshop headlamp even on during the day will make you much safer. I wear one on my run where even most of it is lit-up. Has been a great help on many occasions as you naturally look at cars pulling out of drives etc and they stop dead when they see the light. A hi-visibility top is only helpful when the lights are shining at you so basically when the car is fully around a corner. A headlamp would be viewable first. I use one except for speed sessions that I do on an unbroken footpath. It also has a back light. Had a few nice comments last sat night running by the local pub late but having ended up on the bonnet of a car last winter in the middle of the day while wearing a hi visor I was having too many close calls before the headlamp. I feel much safer on the road now being lit up like an xmas tree. I also stop at all junctions and give the cars the benefit of the doubt that they can't see me. When you get cars flashing you to dim your lamp you know that you can be seen. People think they are invincible with a hi-visor tops where some of them have very little that is actually hi-visibility and they are useless at junctions or cars backing out of driveways as the headlights are not on you. If you have to do speed work then it has to be on a path where you can either cross the road in your recoveries or the path does not break. If you are concentrating on your run then you are not thinking about the traffic.

mossym

run on R routes and lower all the time(14K on one yesterday). Most of the advice i have has already been given, but let me reiterate the bit about staying out from the ditch, especially coming towards a bend. stay out until you are sure the driver has seen you, then move in a bit, give the driver a chance to see you plus increases the passing gap. use common sense at blind bends, get to the side that gets you noticed.

pconn062

I live in the middle of nowhere and do all my running on quiet country roads. The best advice I can give is to stick to the correct side of the road when it's safe to but switch at bad bends, listen out for traffic before you switch then cross back when it is safe to do so. Depending on the roads they could be very quiet and in the case of the ones I run on, meeting a car is a rarity. Bright clothes and avoid headphones and you'll be grand. Also, watch out for dogs, in my experience they are a bigger nuisance than cars!

mossym

from all the advice against headphones in this thread it's obvious all the people you see lining up at the start of races with headphones on must be from the city..:)

(just kidding, the very rural 10k i did a few weeks ago had a lot of them as well..:) )

spurscormac

One other thing to add to the good advice and it has happened me a few times on the back roads near my house...

If cresting a hill & there's cars approaching from both in front & behind (but can't see each other), use the fact you are aware of both. I put my hand out & indicate to them to slow down. It has always resulted in them slowing & not attempting to overtake & I usually get a salute afterwards when they see the other car & realise I was alerting them to the danger.

Racman

Just one further observation on the hi-vis top. The one you linked to has only "reflective graphics" so would be of limited use when conditions are darker and lights are shining at it. Hi-vis should mean day-glo (luminous yellow/green/orange) AND reflective.

Great advice already on this thread for all runners, even urban.

Ososlo

I'd also advise clip-on flashing lights on your clothing. I find I see people much easier and quicker when their lights are flashing. Front and back obviously;). So yes, pretty much like a Christmas tree

ahnowbrowncow

Make sure you wave at everyone you meet, tis the rule in rural areas.

spurscormac

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

Make sure you wave at everyone you meet, tis the rule in rural areas.

Very true, I'm in the last estate before the open country on the edge of Galway, turn one direction & its head down, turn the other & you must by rule salute everyone.

hollypink

Thanks all, some really good advice. It never occurred to me to wear lights during the day, and that's a really good idea; I do have a headtorch and also those clip on LED lights that I use for my bike so I'll bring those. Despite my username, I don't have any pink running tops but I do have an Elverys voucher I've been meaning to use, so might see what they have in stock. When I said I had a high-viz top, I actually meant day-glo (luminous yellow); I always get those mixed up.

I'm not particularly worried about my personal safety in relation to attacks/abduction or whatever. It's not that I'm complacent about it but it's the area I grew up in and it's a very rural, close-knit community where everyone knows everyone. I do carry a phone and my family know what route I'm taking and how long it should take so I think that's enough.

I've been running a route there when I'm home for several years; rather stupidly, I've never really thought about the traffic danger till now but then I've never had any close calls. The roads are all L and R. People do walk and cycle on them occasionally but more so in the summer.

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

Make sure you wave at everyone you meet, tis the rule in rural areas.

Oh god, yes; they'd all be talking in the pub about how snobby I've become if I didn't!

huskerdu

hollypink wrote: »

Oh god, yes; they'd all be talking in the pub about how snobby I've become if I didn't!

They'll do that anyway, and you coming back from the city running up and down the road with your fancy flashing lights and shiny top. Its far from it that you were reared.

ISOT

spurscormac wrote: »

One other thing to add to the good advice and it has happened me a few times on the back roads near my house...

If cresting a hill & there's cars approaching from both in front & behind (but can't see each other), use the fact you are aware of both. I put my hand out & indicate to them to slow down. It has always resulted in them slowing & not attempting to overtake & I usually get a salute afterwards when they see the other car & realise I was alerting them to the danger.

To add to the above, I was on some tight country roads in meath (driving) and was going round a bend (not fast) and suddenly seen a runners hand holding a bottle at arms length out towards the white line. The runner obviously heard me approaching and stuck out her hand so as I could see her earlier. I was shocked what a difference this made, the second i seen her hand I was instinctively slowing. This was the only time I have seen this done and have done it on occasion myself while out running.
As an aside I nearly got clipped on a big wide road near where I live this summer by a oncoming car, drifting into my path onto the hard shoulder, drivers head dipped in the classic "texting and driving" position.
So be careful out there.

RoyMcC

Nothing to add to good advice given. Well I suppose one thing. Avoid narrow, bendy roads at all costs. They seem to proliferate in Cork. A car taking a left-hand bend at (say) 25-30mph has to hug tight into the ditch - certainly during daylight hours when there are no headlights to be seen. Any runner or pedestrian on that side will have no chance.

Certainly I'd sooner give up running rather than dice with Irish country roads, lovely as they can be.

walshb

I am sure you will hear endless safe stories from people who run on narrow country roads. But, I still wouldn't take the risk. If there's no footpath, leave it. Every time you go for the run you are in more danger than those who aren't running on the road. Whatever chance you have off the road on a pavement I think you have far less chance when there is no pavement and you are on the road with the cars.

ahnowbrowncow

RoyMcC wrote: »

Nothing to add to good advice given. Well I suppose one thing. Avoid narrow, bendy roads at all costs. They seem to proliferate in Cork. A car taking a left-hand bend at (say) 25-30mph has to hug tight into the ditch - certainly during daylight hours when there are no headlights to be seen. Any runner or pedestrian on that side will have no chance.

Certainly I'd sooner give up running rather than dice with Irish country roads, lovely as they can be.

walshb wrote: »

I am sure you will hear endless safe stories from people who run on narrow country roads. But, I still wouldn't take the risk. If there's no footpath, leave it. Every time you go for the run you are in more danger than those who aren't running on the road. Whatever chance you have off the road on a pavement I think you have far less chance when there is no pavement and you are on the road with the cars.

So people who live in the country should just stop running until pavements are made?

doughef

Obviously all roads are different and you will have to make your own call on where is safe and where isnt..

However, as your in the country why not find a field / fields and do laps?

mix up your training a bit, cross country running or intervals etc?

Just a thought.

Whatever you do, enjoy it

walshb

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

So people who live in the country should just stop running until pavements are made?

No. Do as they like. I just wouldn't advise or risk it, that's all.

Slogger Jogger

All good advice, particularly from Thomas. Likewise I'm in the middle of the countryside. All my running gear is very bright. I can't understand people who run on the roads and wear colours which blend in with the ditch. Headphones are a major no no. In recent weeks I saw a local runner in fading light running in a dark top wearing headphones

99 times out of a 100 however I veer offroad and do a loop of my local trails or hills. No traffic issues and you feel all the more refreshed for it. You mightn't be able to run as fast but in my case thats not an issue.

If I am in unfamiliar territory I will usually consult a map and look for offroad options, but thats just me. Not really a road runner.

walshb

Surprised that nobody has mentioned "get a treadmill."

TFBubendorfer

doughef wrote: »

However, as your in the country why not find a field / fields and do laps?D

walshb wrote: »

Surprised that nobody has mentioned "get a treadmill."

No offence guys, but based on those quotes it's pretty obvious that neither of you does a lot of running.

ronnie085

Now now, in fairness if your doing a decent amount of running the threadmill and laps of a field get old pretty quick.

doughef

hold on a sec here..

selective quoting or what?? I also mentioned cross country running or interval training ...

The op is concerned about running on the road..I offered an opinion as an alternativr..... makes sense to me.. no?

Then our friend here comes on and says its obvious I dont do any running??

I never said a fookin word about a treadmill....

walshb

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

No offence guys, but based on those quotes it's pretty obvious that neither of you does a lot of running.

How so?

walshb

BTW, I run at least 30 K a week.

TFBubendorfer

walshb wrote: »

How so?

Because nobody I know would seriously recommend running on a treadmill for any length of time.

walshb wrote: »

BTW, I run at least 30 K a week.

It's all relative of course, but in my book that does indeed fall under "not a lot".

walshb

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Because nobody I know would seriously recommend running on a treadmill for any length of time.
".

Why? Has there been some scientific research done that somehow discredits treadmill running? I am not with you. Is it a danger to your health or something?

I have ran thousands of Ks on the road and on treadmills. I am fairly ok for it.

watercarrier

walshb wrote: »

Why? Has there been some scientific research done that somehow discredits treadmill running? I am not with you. Is it a danger to your health or something?

I have ran thousands of Ks on the road and on treadmills. I am fairly ok for it.

i think it turns you into an argumettitve fooker;)

walshb

watercarrier wrote: »

i think it turns you into an argumettitve fooker;)

Querying someone's response to my post shouldn't be seen as me being argumentative. I'd like to hear why someone thinks that suggesting a treadmill for the purpose of running somehow means that the suggestion must be from someone who doesn't run a lot.

doughef

I already got PM'd by a MOD with a warning because I called somebody a bad word a few posts back..

I accept that and I apologise...:)


but... It seems as if some people think they own running. I bet these are the guys who turn up at races all pumped up and wont talk cause their "in the zone" and think anybody who doesnt talk about running.... THE WHOLE TIME... obviously should not have an opinion...

"dont talk to me... if I come 78th rather than 76th my world is over ";) yawn!

anyway.. I merely pointed out to the OP that if he / she was worried about running on a road to go off road. Considering its only for the Christmas period, its not a huge deal.. It could be a nice change and a different challenge..

But then, I was accused of not doing much running... beacause the same people who own running are obviously mind readers too!

ultrapercy

walshb wrote: »

Querying someone's response to my post shouldn't be seen as me being argumentative. I'd like to hear why someone thinks that suggesting a treadmill for the purpose of running somehow means that the suggestion must be from someone who doesn't run a lot.

I wont answer for Thomas but I suspect his attidude to treadmills is much the same as mine, they are ok if weather is dangerous or your stuck in a hotel on a motor way but any serious mileage on one is a mental chore.

walshb

ultrapercy wrote: »

I wont answer for Thomas but I suspect his attidude to treadmills is much the same as mine, they are ok if weather is dangerous or your stuck in a hotel on a motor way but any serious mileage on one is a mental chore.

Fair enough. I just wasn't sure why the suggestion would lead him to believe that it had to come from someone who doesn't run a lot. Whether I run 30 k or 300 k a week is of little relevance.

As regards the narrow country roads. Well, I wouldn't take the risk on them, so I guess it's treadmill in that situation; unless of course there is a nearby field adequate for running.

robinph

doughef wrote: »

anyway.. I merely pointed out to the OP that if he / she was worried about running on a road to go off road. Considering its only for the Christmas period, its not a huge deal.. It could be a nice change and a different challenge..

I'd be thinking along the same lines for doing something a bit different for a short period. No way I'd be looking to run all the time on a treadmill or around a field, but for a week or so when somewhere different just to keep things ticking over why not.

Otherwise just eat more cake and watch telly.

littlebug

I tend to stick to the narrower than narrow roads ie the ones with the grass growing in the middle as i'd rarely meet a car on them. I avoid the L road when I can unless it's really really early on a Sunday morning when there's no one else out and I wouldn't even think of running on the N road. Dusk/ dark I'm limited to repeats of a short stretch of pavement in the village.
For the sake of enjoying a quiet traffic free run I would frequently drive 7 miles to run the trails in the woods. Well worth the drive IMO.

Ceepo

Oh lord god, I just figured out why us lads in the country can't beat ye boys up in the big shmoke, ha ha.
You know some af the cars even have breaks around here now lol, not all mind!
Also mind the bulls in the field especially if your wearing red

TFBubendorfer

Does anyone actually know of anyone getting seriously hurt on those allegedly dangerous country roads?

The only incident I can remember on top of my head of a runner/jogger getting killed happened last year, and that was in Cork City, not on a country road.

Here on boards I sure read a lot more about runners having encounters with unsavoury characters or getting hurt tripping over dog leads in Dublin parks than people getting injured by cars on country roads.

RoyMcC

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Does anyone actually know of anyone getting seriously hurt on those allegedly dangerous country roads?

The only incident I can remember on top of my head of a runner/jogger getting killed happened last year, and that was in Cork City, not on a country road.

Here on boards I sure read a lot more about runners having encounters with unsavoury characters or getting hurt tripping over dog leads in Dublin parks than people getting injured by cars on country roads.

Fair comment Thomas, but it's a holy wonder. I feel safe on Jersey country roads but it was rare that I found an Irish lane quiet enough that I could relax and enjoy the run.

plodder

Take local advice. If locals are saying it isn't safe to walk, then it's definitely not safe for running either. I run a lot on country roads, but know some bad ones, and it's just not enjoyable and not worth the risk. to be honest, I've found the worst ones can be regional "R" routes. They're often not great quality, with no shoulder, but fast traffic.

Ceepo

Cant say that I have heard of any one, (q someone with example).
and I have trained on may roads from Co Donegal to Cork, and a lot inbetween.
Yes the are some dangers but use common sense and you should be ok

walshb

Common sense or not, when you are on a road that is narrow with no path then you cannot legislate for drivers. All it takes is a clip and you can say bye bye. Sure, run in the day time, wear high viz and run towards the cars, but no matter what you do it will not be near as safe as being on a "protected" footpath.

spurscormac

I think we are (mostly) all adults on here and free to make our own choices on where and when to run.
Go run wherever you want (except on a motorway :eek:), take as many precautions as you deem necessary, use common sense and more than likely you'll be fine.

We don't know when or where something bad might happen, so live your life while you have your health and with some festive cheer allow for the fact we are all entitled to differing opinions.

walshb

spurscormac wrote: »

I think we are (mostly) all adults on here and free to make our own choices on where and when to run.
Go run wherever you want (except on a motorway :eek:), take as many precautions as you deem necessary, use common sense and more than likely you'll be fine.

We don't know when or where something bad might happen, so live your life while you have your health and with some festive cheer allow for the fact we are all entitled to differing opinions.

I think I'd take my chances moreso on a motorway hard shoulder. Am I mad?

rom

walshb wrote: »

I think I'd take my chances moreso on a motorway hard shoulder. Am I mad?

Yes you are. That family up on Galway pushing a buggy with a few kids recently were knocked down in the hard shoulder. If you run somewhere that people don't expect you to be then you are asking for trouble.

RoyMcC

walshb wrote: »

I think I'd take my chances moreso on a motorway hard shoulder. Am I mad?

Large sections of the Longford Mara are run on the N4 & N5. It feels safer but it wouldn't half be a spectacular wipe-out if something went wrong

walshb

rom wrote: »

Yes you are. That family up on Galway pushing a buggy with a few kids recently were knocked down in the hard shoulder. If you run somewhere that people don't expect you to be then you are asking for trouble.

Desperate tragedy that. I wouldn't risk the hard shoulder either.