Drivers of Devon,
You may encounter me running on the Devon lanes and roads. I’m easy to spot, I wear a Hi Viz top, bright head gear (this will vary from cap, to beanie to buff and is dependent on weather conditions but is always bright!) at night time I will have a head torch to help me see and be seen and flashing lights on my heels. Yes I do everything to help you see me, in fact so much that at this time of year I dare not stop for too long for fear of someone sticking a star on my head and my feet in a bucket!
I don’t wear head phones so will hear you before you see me, even over my steam train breathing. If the road is narrow I will get off the road as soon as I can to let you pass, but will not jump in a ditch, nettles, brambles or cow poo! Just be patient. I have little legs and am no spring chicken and those few extra seconds you are waiting to pass are really not going to make any difference to you getting to work or dropping little Jimmy off at school.
I keep off main roads as much as possible but when I am on them can always tell fellow runners driving by me, they are the ones straddling the central white line rather than trying to nudge me with their wing mirror. If it is safe for you and me please give me lots of room, it is so much kinder to my heart rate. I will be running facing traffic unless on a tight bend and we have many of those here in Devon, the Romans clearly past this county by!
So you see Drivers of Devon, I do all I can to help you and me. All I ask is that you are aware, slow down when you see me (if only to admire the amount of Hi Viz) so we can all proceed with our day unscathed . Just think how bad you would feel if you hit me, (granted not as bad as me or my family but you would feel bad) and believe I am built more like a shot putter than Paula Radcliffe and your car risks extensive damage, so be aware, pass wide, be patient the roads are there for us all.
Courteous drivers will be rewarded with a big smile, nod of the head and a wave of the hand which will also contain a rather damp men size hankie!
With thanks
Shaz
shazruns 
Ah….Devon roads! … How I miss reversing for half a mile to find a passing spot when meeting a tractor head on…. How I miss driving in such fog on Dartmoor that literally the only way to move forward was to open my door and look DOWN to follow the white line in the road (until the white line disappears because the road gets too narrow) ….. How I miss the cows and sheep? How do I miss the cows and sheep? Pure luck really.
I tried really hard to miss runners too, even though I wasn’t a runner at that time.
Stay safe Shaz.
Drivers – don’t be Muppets.
Very well said Shaz!!!
😁😁 you are so brave – I just don’t risk it!