Safety tips for Get Your Rear In Gear training

Get Your Rear In Gear 5K promotes colon cancer awareness

Whether you are training for an upcoming Get Your Rear In Gear event or hitting the pavement as part of a regular exercise regime, here are a few guidelines that will help keep you safe while you get fit.

1. Find a safe place to run.  Most states have laws or ordinances designating an appropriate place for runners and walkers.  In most cases, this is on the sidewalk or parkway path.  The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has guidelines which govern the use of the popular lake paths in that city.  While these rules may not be applicable in your area, they are good general safety guidelines.  They include:

• When using a park pathway, keep to the right unless overtaking or passing another user going in the same direction.
• Bikers are prohibited from using pathways carelessly or in disregard for the safety of others. Do not ride faster than 10 MPH or faster than is wise under the conditions.
• Exercise in pairs or with a leashed dog when jogging or walking in the parks.
• Tell a reliable person the route you plan to take and when you expect to be back.
• Runners and walkers should exercise in well-populated areas during daylight hours. Carry personal identification and an effective sound-making device.

If a parkway path or sidewalk is not available, pedestrians are generally advised to walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.  This allows runners and walkers to see oncoming traffic and get out of the way. 

2.  Stay Alert.  Music is great entertainment on the run.  But iPods, mp3 players and other devices drown out important traffic noises, barking dogs, and other hazards.  Before donning a headset, consider where you will be running.  If you’ll be on the open road or on a heavily trafficked path hearing traffic noise is crucial.  Save the headset for quiet sidewalk jogs.

3. Be prepared. In the unfortunate event of an accident or health incident during your workout, emergency responders will be able to do their jobs much more effectively if they know who you are.  At the minimum, carry some form of ID, especially if you will be traveling far from home.  Or consider a Road ID which will give first responders crucial medical and contact information that will help them do their job.

Upcoming Get Your Rear In Gear Events:
Rochester, Minnesota,  Saturday June 27
Tinley Park, Illinois, Sunday July 26
Colchester,Vermont, Sunday August 9
Batesville, Indiana, Saturday September 12
Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sunday, September 20
Lake Merced, San Francisco, California October 4, 2009
Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday, November 14th

Training for your first 5K?  Check out this list of important items to bring on race day.