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Community Corner

Virginia is for lovers, but it is not for runners

Virginia may be for lovers, but is definitely not for runners.

Yes, I am that runner in the street in “your way” because the sidewalks are covered with 14 inches of snow and ice. Yes, you may need to slow your car down or move over a bit to give me room to safely coexist with you. Yes, I make this choice to go out and run so apparently that gives you the right to shake your hands at me, beep at me, drive unnecessarily close to me and generally not give a damn when your car splashes through a puddle and soaks me.

I know that I CHOOSE to run outside and during the winter months this can be challenging for pedestrians and drivers alike. Virginia sucks at handling inclement weather. As a recent transplant from upstate New York, I am used to the snow and ice and running/being outdoors in all weather. I run in the rain, in the snow, in the heat and wind. I run five days a week because I have made a commitment to my body and mind to overcome the “it’s too hot/cold/wet/dry” excuses that most people tell themselves to get out of exercise.

But what about the other pedestrians on the road? What about the men and women who do not drive and rely on their own two feet to get to work, shop etc.? What about those of us who need to take their dog for a walk or ride a bike to get around. Yes I own a car, but what if I didn’t? Do you shake your fists and swear at the older woman pushing her shopping cart down the road? Why do you feel you have the right to be so inconsiderate of me?

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As much as possible, I stick to side roads and neighborhoods to avoid heavy traffic. I am extremely cautious crossing intersections and don’t assume that you will see me. Northern Virginian’s are in a big damn hurry and you just love to roll through stop signs and red lights with your head turned in the opposite direction. I run on the very edge of the road when I absolutely need to be in the street and stop in driveways when it’s too tight for both the car and me to pass by. I break for you, but apparently your big important life that you are in such a hurry to live allows you to put my safety at risk.

This past storm was my breaking point. I stayed in on Thursday, during the heavy snow because I knew the plows were out and didn’t want to risk my or anyone else’s safety. Friday morning the sun was shining and it was 40 degrees so I put on my sneakers and headed out. Most didn’t seem to mind me and the other pedestrian’s forced into the road due to the snow. But some, you special few, were just rotten human beings. You swore at me, swerved your car AT ME and when I took a really nasty fall into a puddle, not one person rolled down their window to see if I was ok. At least 30 cars watched as a fellow human being lay in the road dazed, stood up soaking wet and with a very bloody hand and moved herself to the side of the road to assess the damage. Yes, I tripped, it was no one’s fault and no, I was not seriously injured but the response I got from my Virginia “neighbors” broke my heart. I looked around, as the cars literally drove around me lying on the side of the road, a look of annoyance on their face. Do you seriously think you are that important that you couldn’t just ask if I was okay?

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I’m a runner through and through. I will continue with my commitment to my health and sport. I am not asking for your sympathy, I do it because I love it. I’m not asking for you to cheer me on, I am my own motivation. All I ask, pretty please, is that you not hit me with your stupid overpriced car. 

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