Today’s run:  9 miles

On Saturday mornings, my husband and I run with a running group in Starkville, MS.  There is usually a gathering of about thirty people and we set off like a herd of turtles for the assigned route of the day.  Some of the people who meet to run are very serious about what they do and then there are people like me who do it for fun (?).  The more you run, the more you learn about etiquete for on the road running.

You would not think about running manners, but there are “rules” and there is no-one to teach you these rules, you just pick them up as you go along.  You know you have done a major “no-no” when someone passes you and mutters, “jerk”.  You apologize and swear to yourself that you will never do that again and do your best to avoid that particular runner when you are done with that days run.

There is etiquete for drivers who encounter a runner on the road.  So, for all you drivers out there, pay attention.  The runner (if he is following the rules for runners), should be following the white line on the side of the road.  YOU SHOULD GO AROUND HIM!.  Do not send him running into the tall grass on the shoulder.  This is hard on the feet and knees.  If there is another car coming towards you, slow down!  That way the runner does not have to go into the weeds on the shoulder.

Which brings me to today.  I did not mutter “jerk”, I shouted, “JERK!”.  A car drove me into the weeds, and then almost drove me down the embankment!  He may have been on his phone, texting, drinking coffee, putting on mascara, who knows…but “JERK!”

So, the next time you encounter a runner, take pity on the poor soul.  They are tired and are doing their best to stay out of your way.