Safety Tips for Your Morning Jog

If you’ve got the motivation and the determination to go for a jog bright and early, there are surely a lot of people who are jealous of such discipline! However, you’re not going to be able to meet your goals in a short period of time if you sustain injury due to unsafe jogging practices. If you’re going out for a morning jog, make sure to stick to these safety tips. 

Wear the Right Gear 

Although spring time might be just around the corner, the weather outside is still frightful, especially in January. If you’re going jogging in the mornings, make sure you’re adequately bundled up. Sometimes, windchill is cold enough to cause frostbite in a matter of minutes. If you’re on your way home from a run and the wind starts blowing, you could end up with some less than pleasant injuries if you’re not wearing the right gear. Lastly, make sure you’re wearing appropriate shoes for the run. Remember, just because they’re closed toed shoes does not mean that they’re good for running. If you’ve purchased a new pair of shoes for your morning jog, make sure to break them in before you take them out running. Having sore feet can change your stride, causing some seriously unpleasant slips and falls. 

 Stick to Residential Areas 

Jogging alongside moving vehicles can be a recipe for disaster, especially if it’s winter and you’re out jogging before the sun is even up. Cars in residential areas are generally going slower, so it’s easier for drivers to come to a complete stop if they suddenly spot a pedestrian. It’s never a good idea to jog alongside highways or freeways, especially if you’re jogging before it’s light outside. In some places, it may be illegal for pedestrians to jog or walk alongside a highway or a freeway. People who live near a canyon might be tempted to go for a jog in the scenic canyon, but that’s not quite the safest idea. Jogging in a canyon can be dangerous as there are many bends and sharp curves, making it difficult for motorists to spot joggers, especially in the wee hours of the morning. 

Find Well-Lit Places 

Jogging in well-lit places can prevent pedestrian accidents, especially if you’re jogging in a place that doesn’t have sidewalks. Even if you’re jogging in a residential area with sidewalks, it’s still a good idea to jog in places that have good lighting. Cyclists often use sidewalks, even though they’re not supposed to. If a cyclist hits you while you’re on a jog, you could sustain some pretty serious injuries. Sticking to well-lit areas can help ensure that you’re able to be seen. Wearing lights and reflective gear can also help you remain visible to cars. Remember, you should have something that either lights up, or is reflective on the front of your clothing and on the back so that motorists can see you no matter which direction they’re traveling in. 

Watch Out for Cars 

Even if you’re jogging in the neighborhood, it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for cars. Just because you can see them, doesn’t mean that they can see you. It also doesn’t mean that the driver is paying attention. Unfortunately, many motorists see residential areas and parking lots as spaces to text and drive. While drivers shouldn’t ever do this, it does happen and pedestrians ought to take precautions accordingly. When you’re jogging around the neighborhood, especially in the morning when people are headed to work, make sure you’re being careful to avoid cars that are backing out of their driveways. Again, even though drivers should be paying attention, they aren’t always. 

Don’t Turn up the Tunes 

A lot of people like to exercise with music. However, turning up the tunes too loud can have a decidedly negative impact on your hearing. Also, if you’re playing the music too loud, you may not be able to hear what’s going on around you. If a car is coming in your direction, you may not hear it coming. Alternatively, if a person is sneaking up behind you, or following you, you may not be able to hear them coming if your music is playing too loud. Also, many cyclists use the sidewalks even though they’re not supposed to. You may not hear someone say “on your left!” if you’ve got the tunes turned up too loud. Though having music is nice, make sure that you’re playing it at a volume that allows you to hear what’s going on around you. 

When You’ve Sustained Injury 

If you’ve sustained injury due to a negligent motorist, Moxie Law Group is here for you. At Moxie Law Group, our personal injury attorneys can handle anything. Need a car accident attorney? We’ve got that. Pedestrian accident attorney? Moxie Law Group has you covered. Contact us today to get started with your free consultation.