Okay, I know the saying is usually "WHERE'S a cop when you need one?" Things just worked out differently, this weekend. And it all became clear when I was pulled over while running. (Man am I getting fast!)
On Saturday's long run (a personal record 29 miles), I was crossing a controlled intersection, and I had the green. A lady making a right turn on red went through the all-to-familiar process of "Look left and look right through the runner, look right, gun it," nearly running me down as I ran in the crosswalk. I yelled, slammed my hand on her hood, and jumped so that my feet wouldn't be planted when she hit me. Then she laid on her horn at me.
I managed to avoid getting hit and must have looked like a Hamm brother on the pommel horse. I glanced back in disgust as the women yelled out her window to ask if I was alright. I muttered something and kept running.
A couple miles later, I was stopped by a police officer who asked if I was the guy that got hit by the car at such-and-such an intersection. I told him I was, pointing out that I wasn't actually hit. He told me he had pulled the driver over. While he didn't indicate the outcome of that stop, I was pleased with just the traffic stop. After dealing with the driver, he tracked me down because he was concerned with the way I bounced off the car.
I let him know I had jumped and avoided getting hit, and thanked him for both talking to the driver and for following up with me.
I've said it before and I'll repeat myself here. Drivers just aren't looking for runners, particularly when they are making right turns. If you aren't to their left, they'll never see you. Remember to "drive" for them and remain on the defensive.
I broke my own rule and ran in front of the first car at the intersection. I tend to go behind them. If you do pass in front, always keep your eyes on the vehicle, not the driver. It's more important to see what the car is doing than seek eye contact with the driver. They can look right at you and hit the gas.
Now, for your viewing pleasure, Iron Pol after the second long run of the weekend. To be fair, we wrote the "50 miles" before actually mapping out the course. It was only 48.6 miles. I did 29 miles on Saturday in 4:55 (with 10 minutes in pit stops). That was followed up on Sunday with another 19.6 miles in about 3:45. My son was supposed to be offering me Gatorade. It looks more like he's trying to pour water on my head.
That would have helped, too.
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