Which way do you walk?

[Pie4me]

Hey walker gurus....


This is a dumb questions BUT I know there is a right answer...

When you are walking on a street, do you walk with the traffic or
opposite the traffic?

[byugrad]

If there's a sidewalk, it doesn't matter.

But if you're walking on the street, walk or run TOWARDS the traffic. You'll see the cars before you hear them and can be alert to any possible problem if the driver doesn't see you.

[Jake]

Walk opposite the traffic when in or near the street. Even on the sidewalk the occasional drunk driver could possibly in a freak accident drive up and hit you. Also if you walk or run with headphones on you will want to see the cars.

Say for instance someone drove up behind you with the intent of mugging you, with headphones on especially you could not see this person slowing or stopping their car. If you are walking/running facing the traffic you are more aware of everything going on around you.

[ttdriver]

Well, here in FL, walking is DANGEROUS no matter which side of the road you're on................. :yikes

I try to stay on the sidewalk, but even there, I'm constantly alert to the kooks on the road here. We kill more pedestrians here than anywhere ... it *is* scary. I would never wear headphones cuz I want to hear what's going on around me ... I try never to run alone either ...

Do not walk at night .... even with reflective clothing on, its still too risky.

WHATEVER YOUR PLAN, BE SAFE!!

Betty

[Pie4me]

Thank you all for the replys...

Thanks so much for the informative info on walking. Right now that is about all I can afford to do in terms of exercise. So wish I could afford to go to the gym! I do want to be as safe as possible and wound NEVER walk at night. I might also invest in a bright reflective vest to wear....just in case. You can't be too careful these days. Also being in the country I have to watch out for snakes. Saw 2 just the other crossing the road.
YIKES....

[ttdriver]

The vest is a very good idea.

As for snakes ... we got 'em here too .. along with alligators, armadillos, raccoons, you name it!

None of which I fear as much as the daggone stupid Florida drivers! :anger

Betty

[BikerGoddess]

It's actually easier on your body if you run/walk in the grass. It's softer than concrete (easier on joints) and the uneven surface forces your ankles to strengthen.

Get good shoes. And replace them often. If you're going to run every day, get fitted for the proper shoe at a running/fitness store (not the shops at the mall) and replace every 6 months.

Don't run at sunup or sundown - it's harder for motorists to see you. Take a buddy, if you can. Vary your route. If you're bothered by asthma or allergies, go earlier in the day (pollution levels are lower) but be on the watchout for public bug spraying.

Oh, and apparently in some areas, the hookers dress up like runners...

Laura

[cmcole]

Take a dog if you're walking (even borrow a neighbour's).

Yes, you'll have to stop for poop patrol, but it's worth the joy of having the company and degree of protection they provide.

I prefer running alone, but I walk the dogs daily. The dogs usually make me run faster than I feel comfortable doing, at times.

The vest is a good idea. My doggies gave me one for Christmas the other year (ha, ha).

[not2late]

RE: Reflective Vests:

The March 2005 Consumer Reports Magazine had an article on reflective vests. They're not all created equally.

For their reflectivity, they compared 3 brands: Amphipod ($30), Nathan Tri Color Reflective vest ($15) and IllumiNITE Vista and Primo Thermal Reflective jackets ($85 each). They tested the reflectivity (in car headlights) at 220 feet and 50 feet.

Amphipod was "highly reflective when aways from the center of the headlight's beam".

The Nathan Tri Color vest was "quite bright" when viewed from the front, but not as bright as the Amphipod from the side.

The IllumiNITE jackets were only visible head-on.

The report also included photos of the jackets/vests at the feet I listed above. The Amphipod and Nathan Tri Color were much more visible than the IllumiNITE jacket. (And let's face it, for $85 I would expect those IllumiNITE jackets to not only be more visible but also have a built-in mugger-defense system too!)

Oh, and apparently in some areas, the hookers dress up like runners...

:yikes

[BikerGoddess]

Oh, and apparently in some areas, the hookers dress up like runners...

:yikes

Yeah, that's what I thought. Guys kept stopping me asking if I needed a ride, when I was out jogging at 5am, so I asked some friends of mine who are cops and they said it was common in my area. I don't run anymore...

Laura

[ztachick]

Pie4me--maybe you could try going to a trck like at a college/hs or jr high, it would still be freee nad more safe imho

[californiacasey]

On my regular route, the sidewalk is not continuous, so I walk facing traffic, that way you will "see the cars before you hear them and can be alert to any possible problem if the driver doesn't see you." I agree with that!

Also, I walk at night sometimes, and although there are street lights, I take a little flashlight with me and flash it when a car is coming to make myself more visible :yikes

[snorkelman]

The law in Florida (and probably all or most other states) is that you should walk against on-coming traffic - that of course assumes that you HAVE to walk on the side of the road instead of a sidewalk.

As for walking in the grass - yea, less impact on the joints but higher chances of sprained ankle.

[kokopuff]

It might seem like common sense, to walk against traffic, but I hadn't thought about it. I'm always craning around because I wear headphones and listen to music (I know it's dangerous, but it make walking so much more enjoyable). I'll start walking on the other side from now on. I tend to walk side streets and look for the less traveled ones but have been finding too many without sidewalks. I still haven't found a route I like (I do tend to walk much the same route but feel safe with my dog who isn't all that people friendly and large enough to feel safe).

Any thoughts on how far and how many times a week? Is this enough to help me kickstart losing? I am totally not a excercise person, and cannot afford to join a gym regardless. I've been walking 3.5 miles a day 3 times a week, with me going 1.5-2 2 other days. I'm totally stalled right now and feel like I should walk further but the 3.5 makes my legs feel like lead the next day when I walk. I go as fast as I can the entire distance, my mother in law swears by going faster and then slower, faster then slower. Any tips?

[2big4mysize]

the faster slower is HIIT and also part of the cool running training program for getting in shape to do a 5K. You can build up your speed and distance faster if you do the alternating but you got to go all out on the fast parts so if you are feeling like lead you need to build yourself up first. you will be amazed at how fast you can too. try going just 5 min more or finishing 5 min sooner for your chosen distance after a week of this you should be able to do another 5 min on the total and so on until you are at leat going 4 miles an hour. usually mental fatigue sets in before physical muscle fatigue so keep after yourself and soon you will be posting more miles and longer times with faster speeds too.

Areyou doing any resistance training programs? Using resitance bands or even home made dumbbells?

Happy low carbing.