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Which side of the road should I run?!
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I never said that deaf runners should be banned. Any more then blind runners or any other runner with a handicap. I was just saying that you reduce the risk of having an accident by not wearing an iPod.
People like you Muzzy have adjusted their behaviour because of their handicap and compensated by using other senses. Well done, but there is no need for sarcasm.
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I really don't see what Tom has said to inflame anyone, particularly deaf people.
As a deaf runner knowing my limitations, unless with a group of other runners who know my situation who can watch out and inform me regarding traffic I avoid pavementless roads because I perceive that me not hearing traffic poses a higher risk which I want to avoid. I see this as the same risk as ipod wearers. Yes being deaf I am more aware of my surroundings but there is only so much you can rely on. Therefore my running routes outside relate to seaside promenades, trails, footpaths, anything with a pavement.
Regarding running on the pavement on the left and coming up to a LHS junction I would not necessarily rely on crossing it without visual even if I was a hearing person. I cannot see why people would, far too risky. If this means a bit of stop start at a junction then so be it, I would rather be in one piece.
FFS. Surely the best thing when out running is to take all reasonable precautions to ensure that you get back in one piece. I can't see any prejudice against deaf runners in the posts and I find it very sad that some are interpreting them as such.
Take care out there everyone and happy running.
Tom - I do apologise. I didn't say that you were prejudiced, just that some running (and non running) folk are.
It wasn't even your comment that got me going, it was Mak's Friend answering my question to you with the exact answer I was expecting (the implication being "don't run if you can't hear" which gets me so wound up.)
It's a long, ongoing argument on these fora about people wearing Ipods/MP3 players for running. I just happen to believe that they are not as dangerous as some make them out to be (but then again I can't wear one for running.)
Sorry for the sarcasm, but as anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm a sarcastic person.
Also, thank you for taking the time to post on the other thread. It was appreciated.
BTW. I actually did go out for a run.
As FF said, take care out there everyone and happy running.
I NEVER said don't run if you can't hear.
Run on the left-hand side of the road, with the traffic coming up behind you.
Never - and this should be obvious - run on the right-hand side of the road and into oncoming traffic, especially on right-hand bends. Approaching traffic will have to grind to a halt - and so will you. And constantly swapping sides of the road might also add to the hazards.
You can hear traffic coming from behind you on country lanes (no headphones, obviously, cutting out one of your vital senses), and the drivers can see you.
If on the right, running into a right-hand bend both you and the driver of any oncoming vehicle are blind to what is around the bend. If there is two-way traffic at the time you can imagine the various outcomes.
I got a real shock once when driving around a left-hander on a country road to find two teenage girls walking towards me shoulder-to-shoulder. Fortunately I was not driving fast AND there was no vehicle coming on the other side of the road.
Another time I had the misfortune to be a front-seat passenger in a car driven by a maniac, going too fast and without any thought of what was around the bend. Around the bend at speed and lo and behold there is a runner coming towards us. Hard braking, a swerve and a vehicle coming the other way but sufficient distance away. That could have been really bad!
My tips are these: if on a country road which is really only wide enough to allow two passing vehicles, stay on the left, make sure you can hear approaching traffic, stay a little out from the verge just long enough to be seen, then move back in, know there is a vehicle behind BEFORE running into a left-hander and that you've been seen, once round the bend keep in and get away from it in timely fashion! :-)
Oh! and any driver from behind who slows down because he can't get past you, acknowledge with a wave of thanks - not that he/she didn't run over you! :-) But you are saying "thanks for being careful and sorry for any inconvenience" - doesn't cost anything.
Some drivers who use the route as often as you might get to know you and how polite you are!!
Once, the driver of an empty bus stopped when I slowed to let him pass and offered me a lift! Must have thought I was really struggling!!
https://forums.runnersworld.co.uk/discussion/346118/correct-cyclist-vs-runner-road-lane-behaviour/p1
Where's Colin McLaughlin when you need him?
By facing the traffic you can see if oncoming traffic has acknowledged you, you can't do that if the traffic is approaching from behind. Running on the left hand side is very dangerous.
I do most of my training on country roads and most of them fairly narrow.
Re ipods, some races are allowing ipods with bone conduction headphones (almost type ear phones)
If running in a large group, run on the left as you are deemed a slow moving vehicle.
When running on pavements, run on the left. When you cross a side road, you look up and down the main road (you do this when running on the right too, so no difference). By running on the left, all side roads are on your left. Traffic emerging from the side road will be in the lane farthest from you and gives you the extra second to stop and slam into the side of any car instead of being across the bonnet. Otherwise, by running such that side roads are on your right, you have to more or less stop, especially if the its a blind corner.
And don't wear headphones, really don't.