Comments on: Getting Hit

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:48:47 +0000

Radu/Rick/Kristin,

We’re lucky to get the reminder – and that it’s just a reminder. While running my commute, I’ve also seen cars jump the red light (I saw two do that on my drive home from a meeting tonight). I don’t like to wave on well-meaning drivers that wait for me but I don’t trust most drivers and can’t afford to make an exception. Still, none of that prepared me for a car going in reverse (it was quiet and I still didn’t hear or see any sign that he changed gears). If nothing else, I suppose this is a good reminder to everyone to avoid making ANY assumptions about what a driver will do!

By: Kirstin Corris

Kirstin Corris — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:38:11 +0000

Glad you were not seriously injured, and your restraint is commendable. My sailor side kicks in all too often!

By: Rick Gray

Rick Gray — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:16:23 +0000

Susan, I know we are all so careful of traffic when we are on the roads, but someone always seems to suprise you. So glad you were not injured and only scared to death. Your heart is probably still beating quickly. Rick

By: Radu

Radu — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:08:58 +0000

I’m really relieved you’re OK. I had a similar close encounter at Westland with Ebanezer. It was one of the cold evenings with some snow as well. I was coming on the sidewalk on Ebanezer towards KP and a van coming from Westland (from the left) was comfortably waiting on the pedestrian crossing (to make a right on Ebanezer). Since the light was red for the Westland traffic I went on to cross towards the front of the car (where there was still some free space on the crossing, then the van started suddenly to make a right, in a hurry to get in between 2 cars traveling on Ebanezer. I changed my direction in the air, avoiding the side mirror as I bumped off the side of the van dissapearing quickly out of my sight. Some Romanian swearing came to mind, it just seemed proper seeing that the car didn’t even slow down a bit to see what happened… I was fine, but that was quite a warning. Never assume that a stationary driver looking at the traffic from the left will have the decency to check one time to the right for pedestrian traffic. Lesson learned.

Hey, I wanted to do Buncombe Trail 34M and Enoree Passage 50M. I’ll use the Knoxville maraton as a training run building for Buncombe. Any thoughts? Have you run on those trails? I appreciate any advice or impression!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:10:15 +0000

Glad we’ve both survived! I just assume drivers don’t know pedestrian laws – they certainly don’t follow them. One other thing I’ve learned on the commute is that drivers instinctively respect things that can hurt them – other cars, concrete barriers – but don’t have the same respect for the “softer” obstacles – peds, bike riders, dogs…guess it’s the instinct for self-preservation. I always assume they’re not going to give me the right of way even when the law says so.

Florida report on its way!!!

By: Vicki Kendall

Vicki Kendall — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:55:17 +0000

Oh my gosh Susan. I was hit once by some guy turning right on red (so he thought). The light was actually green and I had the right of way. Glad you too escaped unscathed (shaken of course). A few cuts and bruises. Mostly annoyed at the driver’s ignorance of pedestrian laws. Waiting for your Florida report . . . again, glad you are ok!