I’ve been jogging for a little over a year and a half now. Nearly every run of mine has been at night. Look up the definition of “not a morning person” in the dictionary — you won’t find it in there, nor will you find my picture, but it just so happens that I fit that description. Last year I did a few miles on the treadmill several mornings before classes, but that’s it.
This morning I did my first morning run outside in the real world. And I nearly got hit by a car. It came close enough that I could feel the warmth of the engine on my leg.
I had the right of way, the crosswalk, the signal, the bright red reflective shirt, and the sun was up. The guy was at a complete stop, waiting for the traffic (oncoming towards me) to pass so he could make a right-on-red. I waved and kept up my pace through the intersection, making it about a third of the way past his hood before he saw the traffic clear and gunned it.
In that exact instant I also saw the traffic clear and had an inkling something might happen, so I also gunned it. His head finally swiveled in my direction and he immediately slammed on the brakes. His bumper missed my calf by about two inches. Maybe three if I want to be generous. He let out a frightened curse. I smiled and waved and kept going — no point in freaking out since nothing actually happened.
He sounded pretty shaken up. I know I would have been. I figure the other dozen or so cars that were queued at the light and within line of sight probably also saw it. Hopefully at least a few of them will look both ways that extra time for the rest of the day.
Drive safe, y’all.
