Road Smart

Running Surfaces, Direction of Travel, and the Unspoken Wisdom of the Streets

We’re still talking about running—on your terms.
• Maybe you’ve got bad knees, sore feet, or a stubborn will that shows up anyway.
• Maybe your running days are behind you, but you’re still part of this.
• Maybe you’ve never called yourself a runner—until now.
• Maybe it’s not about running fast—it’s about still running.
Whatever brings you here—this is where we move forward. Together.
     

    What You Run On Matters

    Your body knows the difference between kindness and punishment.
    Especially after 50.
    Concrete sidewalks? Brutal.
    That hard, unforgiving surface has zero give—and your knees and hips feel every step.
    If you can, take the asphalt.
    It has a little more give, and your joints will thank you.
    Run near the curb—away from traffic but off the concrete if it’s safe.
    Parks with trails? Perfect.
    Dirt roads? Great.
    Paths in the woods or crushed gravel by a river? That’s gold.
    And the beach?
    Looks beautiful in pictures.
    But if you’re not careful, you’ll end up gasping after 100 yards, wondering where your legs went.
    Here’s the trick:
    Run near the waterline.
    That sand’s been packed by the tide—firmer, faster, and far less punishing than dry, loose sand up high.

     

    Run Against Traffic. Always.

     

    It’s the first and best rule of road running:
    Run facing traffic.
    That gives you a fighting chance.
    If a car veers, you can see it.
    You can move.
    Running with traffic is like blind trust in strangers. That’s not how men our age operate.
    Even in the quietest neighborhood, this rule matters.
    One distracted driver is all it takes.

     

    Sidewalks Can Be Tricky, Too

     

    In cities, sidewalks are often the only choice—but they’re not always safe or smooth.
    Cracks, uneven slabs, and early morning pedestrian traffic can throw you off stride.
    I’ve dodged more than one commuter on Manhattan’s 5th Avenue at 5 a.m., just trying to get to Central Park in one piece.
    If you’re on the sidewalk:
    • Watch your footing.
    • Be ready to pivot.
    • And again—if there’s an open shoulder or asphalt side road and it’s safe, use it.

     

    A Word About Courtesy

     

    You’re not the only one out there.
    Don’t expect the world to yield just because you’ve got running shoes on.
    Wave.
    Step aside.
    Say “Good morning.”
    That goes further than most people realize.
    Obey lights. Respect intersections. Be seen.
    Because being a good runner includes being a good neighbor.

      It’s Not About Looking Tough. It’s About Running Smart.

       

      The goal isn’t just to run.
      The goal is to keep running.
      So be wise about your route.
      Know the surface underfoot.
      Run against traffic.
      And be kind.
      Because long after the miles fade, what remains is how you moved through the world—and who you were while doing it.

        let’s run forever.

        And let’s run smart.

        THE PERSONAL MILE

        I wish I didn’t have to write this.

        But sometimes, running stories don’t end with medals or new PRs.
        Sometimes, they end with silence.

        A week ago, just one block from the home where I raised my sons, a 49-year-old woman was killed while running.

        A teenager hit her with a car.
        Maybe he was texting. Maybe changing a song. Maybe just distracted, the way any of us could be behind the wheel.

        She’s gone.
        And now that young man carries something he never asked for—and will never shake.

        We don’t know which way she was running.
        With traffic? Against it?
        But here’s what we do know:
        It could’ve been any of us.

        That stretch of road?
        I’ve run it hundreds of times.

        The tragedy didn’t happen in a big city.
        It didn’t happen in the dark.
        It happened in daylight, in a quiet neighborhood, on a street meant to be safe.

        There’s no comfort in that.
        But maybe there’s a lesson.

        Run smart.
        Run aware.
        Know your route.
        And don’t assume others see you.

        If you can face traffic, do it.
        If you can’t—be lit up like a Christmas tree.
        And if you’re behind the wheel—you’re the one running now, too.
        So look twice.
        Hold the phone.
        And remember: the road is not just for cars. It’s where people move, breathe, hope, and try to live a little longer.

        We say Let’s run forever.
        But forever only happens if we protect it.

        Stay visible.
        Stay present.
        Stay alive.

        TOOLBOX

        1. Run Against Traffic—If You Can
        • Always face oncoming cars when there’s no sidewalk.
        • This gives you a chance to see danger—and react.

        2. Make Yourself Visible
        • Bright gear. Reflective tape. LED bands or headlamps.
        • Even in daylight, don’t blend in. Be the neon sore thumb.

        3. Avoid Distraction
        • No earbuds when running on busy roads.
        • Save the playlist for safe trails. Let your ears work for you.

        4. Scan Intersections—Don’t Assume
        • Even with the light, look left-right-left.
        • Distracted drivers miss stop signs, crosswalks, and humans.

        5. Know Your Surface
        • Choose asphalt over concrete.
        • Look for trails, shoulders, or grass buffers if they exist.
        • Avoid uneven sidewalks, curbs, and debris—especially in low light.

        6. Teach and Remind Others
        • When you ride as a passenger, speak up if the driver drifts or checks their phone.
        • We’re not just runners. We’re witnesses. We’re protectors too.

        Final Word:
        Running isn’t just about distance. It’s about decisions.
        And the smartest ones don’t show up in race results.
        They show up when you make it home.

        Let’s run forever.
        And let’s run safe.