Sally Meyerhoff

Sally Meyerhoff tragedy reminds runners to take precautions

Sally Meyerhoff, a professional marathoner who recently won the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in January, was killed yesterday in a cycling accident. According to reports, Meyerhoff "who was 27 and lived in Maricopa, Ariz., failed to yield at a stop sign and was struck by a pickup truck. Reports say she was killed instantly."

Meyerhoff's tragic death is a reminder to local runners to practice safety measures while running -- or cross training -- outdoors this spring. With the heavy snow that the Albany area has experienced this winter, road conditions, especially shoulders, can be slippery, wet, icy or snow covered. Moreover, even with the recent snow melt there are still many areas where plows have deposited snow and created large snow banks. These snow banks can make it difficult for drivers to see runners.

Take these precautions when running outdoors to help avoid accidents:

* Stop more frequently. If you normally just slow down at road crossings, take an extra moment to stop and be extra sure that there are no oncoming cars. Pause and look around you more frequently than you normally do.
* Run during daylight hours. If you must run in the dark, make sure you are illuminated and choose a familiar route.
* Run without music. When outdoor conditions are less than ideal, you need to be aware of your surroundings and ensure that you can hear oncoming traffic. Leave the headphones at home!
* Run against traffic. By running against traffic you will be able to see and observe cars as they approach.
* Run in parks or on local trails. While you can't beat the convenience of stepping outside your door and heading down the street for a run, when conditions warrant it, head to less trafficked areas like parks and trails. Head to places such as The Crossings, the Corning Preserve, Thacher Park or bike trail that runs from Schenectady to Albany to avoid running in traffic.

The transition period between winter and spring in the Albany area can be a great time to run. Practice common sense precautions to ensure your safety.

Source : Examiner