Tips for making your runs a little safer:
With the return of warmer weather we all have the
urge to get out and get some exercise. Whether that means running or walking,
sharing the often narrow roads around our campus with cars and trucks requires
that we do some things to take personal responsibility for our own walking or
running safety.
We thought it might be a good idea to share some tips that just
could keep you safer on the roads, so here goes…
1. Run Facing Traffic & Obey Pedestrian Safety Laws - State laws are on the
books that are designed to protect pedestrians on or near the roads and
highways. Maryland law actually requires that walkers and runners use a sidewalk
if one is provided but further allows that, “where a sidewalk is not provided, a
pedestrian who walks (or runs) along a highway may walk (or run) only on the
left shoulder, if practicable, or on the left side of the roadway, as near as
practicable to the edge of the roadway, facing any traffic that might approach
from the opposite direction." It may all seem counter-intuitive but running
facing traffic allows you to see vehicles and people approaching in your
direction and respond if you need to.
2. Resist the urge to
wear headphones or earbuds – music may help the miles pass a bit more easily but
the trade-off is in diminished personal safety. We'probably all been guilty of
this sometimes but you are always safer if you forego your tunes
and just enjoy the view especially when you find yourself on an isolated road or
trail.
3. Use the buddy system – the saying “there’s safety in numbers” is particularly
applicable to running on the roads. If you turn an ankle or pull a muscle in the
middle of a five mile run it’s comforting to have a friend there who can help
you get home or go for help. Anyone who’s been running for any length of time
has probably experienced cat-calls, rude comments, and maybe even articles
hurled from a passing vehicle. In those cases it just feels good to have a
friend along.
4. Share the road – as vehicles or other people approach it is the
common courtesy and common sense to stay as close to the edge of the road as you
can…and it’s the law. If you’re running with a buddy try running single file as
the vehicle passes. If the driver moves over to give you a little more room give
them a friendly wave to acknowledge their kindness…it goes a long way to making
sure they’ll do the same the next time too.
5. Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back – that way if you
hurt yourself during your run or don’t return by the time you’re expected
somebody can check on you. When you do return don’t forget to let them know
you’re back too.
6. Have a plan – this is especially important for women but applies to men as
well. Whether out on a run or walking across campus, taking personal
responsibility for your safety means thinking about how you’ll respond if you’re
put in a difficult situation. Just because you feel safe since you’ve run the
same route dozens or even hundreds of times doesn’t mean you should let your
guard down. There’s a difference between feeling safe and being safe. Having a
plan helps you be safe.
7. Be seen - If it is dark outside when you run wear light colored
clothing, a reflective vest, use a flashlight and/or flashing lights to make
sure drivers see you and you stay safe.
8. Clearly indicate your intentions to drivers – Very often runners take for
granted that a driver sees them and knows where they are going or what they are
going to do. If you are getting ready to cross a roadway, even at a controlled
intersection with a stop sign or stop light, make eye contact with drivers and
use hand signals letting them know where you intend to go, This goes
hand-in-hand with the “Be seen” tip (# 7 above).
Drivers may be distracted or otherwise careless so don’t go ‘til you know they
know where you want to go. Following these tips can help you stay safer in the
“long run” (bad pun, sorry). Use them as a guide of just a few of the many
things you can do to take more personal responsibility for your running
safety…hopefully they’ll also make your runs even more enjoyable and productive.
August, 2012 being named “Phenomenal Woman” of 2012 by Ulla
Popken, Inc. of Glen Arm, MD and Germany! Dr. Portier is one of two recipients
of this annual award which the women’s wear company names for women leaders who
inspire others in their communities across America. The clothiers interviewed
and filmed Dr. Portier at work on Friday, July 20th, creating a YouTube video
available for viewing on their website and EOPCC’s beginning August. You can see
it at the following web address:
p align="center" class="MsoNormal">
ref="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrI1_b6_cL0">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrI1_b6_cL0
EOPCC has brought Healthcare Close to Homessible,
EOPCC had to take out three loans. Amazing community support has helped
us pay off one loan. Will you help us work on the other two by buying a
commemorative brick or making a donation?
Your engraved brick will be placed in a prominent location in the new
clinic where all the community will see it. For $50, $100, or $150, you
can buy a brick to be engraved with an inscription of your choice. This
is a wonderful opportunity to honor a loved one by having their name
engraved or show the community that you support EOPCC engraving
your name or your family’s names on a brick.
To buy a brick, please download this form and return it to the office. Thanks so much in advance for your support!
Also, please visit our fundraising page called "Naming Opportunities" for an additional way to show your support and have your name become a permanent part of our facility.
A New Auxiliary Board for EOPCC
As all who have volunteered at EOPCC know, the work to be done is overwhelming. We are committed to the dream and know there are others who want to help, but are as yet untapped. We are forming an Auxiliary Board that would meet at least 4 times a year. We would plan, scheme, dream and mostly roll up our sleeves and work toward making EOPCC more stable through fundraising projects. We would volunteer and recruit volunteers for projects that need doing to make the EOPCC program better and more responsive to community needs. Also, we would work on some projects that handle some of the nitty gritty needs of EOPCC. If you would like to be on the EOPCC team, please call Dr. Bonnie Portier, D.O. at EOPCC: 301-447-3310. Friends of EOPCC, we hope you want to be part of this team; we will be calling you soon.
We need an outside accountant who would do a free or discounted audit or financial review for EOPCC, in order to be eligible for larger grants. Our need is urgent, as we have some grants in progress.
