The Alaskan weather has been just amazing. I can’t help but take full advantage of it by running every chance I get. A few things to note about running in an urban setting, the road hazards can be extremely dangerous.

While the bike trails are still snow covered I have had to take my running to the main trails that run alongside some of Anchorage’s most trafficked streets.

Now it’s not these main roads that pose the threat, it’s the side streets that are dangerous. Each little residential road that pours out onto our highways creates a hazard, mostly drivers pulling out and not looking both ways before proceeding to merge.

As a pedestrian I take my role to run safe very seriously. My life is potentially on the line and in some cases I am pushing my two-year-old along in our jogger too.

I wear bright colored clothes and run against traffic always on the trail and never in the street. I try to make eye contact with the drivers as they pull out and look for the head nod or a wave letting me know that they see me. However it’s quite frustrating when a driver has pulled out so far that you can’t get around them and they refused to look both ways causing me to either have to stop and wait or literally jump up and down waving my arms in hopes that they see me as I cross in front of them.

This of course has caused me to evaluate my own driving habits. I now am more aware of how important being pedestrian friendly driver is. I ease into spots that might create a dangerous situation for me or any pedestrian running, walking or biking by. I look both ways and always give the head nod whether they are looking or not.

It’s important that we all do our part to be safe out there. Pedestrian and drivers alike all have to own their role in keeping the roads and trails safe for everyone.