Phones and Running?

Do you run with your phone? I know for years people have said I should for safety reasons, but I rarely listen to comments that start with “You should” because they are often followed by advice I didn’t solicit. Besides I run to disconnect...doesn't answering a call or tweeting defeat that purpose?

After the “no bag check” drama ensued with the NYC marathon, I started to realize the only thing I wanted to check was my phone so that after the race I could locate David and of course send my parents a message that I survived yet again….then tweet that I’m never doing it again…until the race amnesia kicks in and I find my credit card stored on Active.com…you know the cycle.

TEXTING AND RUNNING
Then I came across an editorial article in Competitor magazine about how texting was driving her crazy not only from oblivious drivers, but runners and bikers as well. It did make me pause for a moment, knowing that as bloggers many of us feel a need to post everything in real time, which for a lot of folks means taking pictures while biking and running. 

I think we’ve all seen the news stories about people falling in manholes or fountains because they had their nose buried in a phone. I am just waiting for the race report where someone trips and takes down a few others because they wanted to share a picture.

As bloggers we definitely try to capture every moment, but are we risking our safety and the safety of those around us to do so? What do you think?

SAFELY GO DRIVING APP
While running and texting is in no way on par with doing it behind the wheel, I really wanted to share this great new app. I’ve posted about just how dangerous it is to text and drive, but repeating myself makes me feel good gets the point across.

I love this new app from Verizon that I put on my Droid Incredible because even if with the best of intentions not to use a phone, that Tweet is like Pavlov’s bell and you just have to check it to see whose contacting you.

Let Safely Go receive your calls and texts, keeping you connected and responsible, making you and the road a safer place for everyone.

A number of times recently, I’ve been a passenger in the car with someone who picks up their cell phone and I almost immediately say “please don’t text and drive. Do you need me to look something up for you?” Most people play it off, but I can tell I’ve offended them. Often they’ll say “Oh normally I don’t”…which is a lie if they are doing it with someone to see them OR they say “Yeah, I’m really bad about doing this all time.” The following information is part of what changed my perception…you loose a lot by being distracted on the phone.

"You suffer from something called inattention blindness…About half of that information is removed. It could be a stop sign. It could be a pedestrian. And so this inattention blindness makes us drive in a way that makes it worse than drunk driving."

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Gratitude Journal
Oct 2
I am grateful for a husband who is calm and patient and loving and so much more. He makes my life more fantastic every day.