Rules of the road

I have had several experiences lately when helpful motorists have tried to educate me on the rules of the road when I have been running.  That would be more helpful if I were also a motorist and not a lowly pedestrian, but let me explain what happened and let you be the judge.  I have found myself surprised, irritated, and confused as people yell out windows, pull over, and generally put me in danger while trying to guide me to proper street safety. Just yesterday, I ran through an intersection where there was a two way stop sign. Admittedly, I was crossing against the stop sign, but I could tell that the intersection was clear before I entered it, so of course I didn't stop.  I was running on the street because there are no sidewalks on that block, but was well off the road to the shoulder.  Perhaps that was why the friendly neighbor in the big truck who was at least half a block behind me when I went through the intersection, and going the same direction feels the need to speed up and yell out his window at me. He thought it would make me safer for him to take his eyes off the road, lean across his passenger seat, and to yell at me "you need to stop at the stop sign."  My reaction was, and I quote,"huh?"  See, I always thought the road signs were for vehicles, not pedestrians, and especially when the only car on any surrounding street was behind me.

On another day, I was running out in the country where, again, there are no sidewalks.  This time I was running in the same direction as traffic, because I had just climbed a steep hill, and that was the side where the shoulder was.  Running against traffic, as is traditionally recommended, would be inadvisable because I would've been running out in the street into cars coming downhill right into me.  For some reason, I thought it would be safer to run where the cars could at least see me before they swerved off onto the shoulder to run me down.  

However, another well meaning stranger thought I was not looking out for my own safety as I should, and thought it would be better to pull over in front of me, perpendicular to the road, blocking the shoulder and sticking out into traffic, to let me know what he thought.  (I would tell you what I thought, but it wasn't very nice.) He actually threatened to call the police because I was running on the wrong side of the road.  I thought the police would love to deal with a man who blocks the road for women running out in the country, but he didn't give me a chance to say that.  Nor did he give me a chance to say that it is a good idea to run against traffic except when going uphill, or except when passing 3000 pound bulls wandering down the side of the road (which, incidentally, also happened that day). So thank you friend, for lecturing me on road rules, I know you were just trying to be helpful, but really you just left me feeling creeped out and angry whenever I see your car drive by.  

I know I could probably be safer when I run on the roads.  Sometimes I do run too far out in the middle, though generally only when going around snowpack or dog pack. And to the guy on Saturday who yelled at me to get out of the road, you were right! But thanks for being nice about it.  In any case,  I don't chase down and yell at every crazy driver who doesn't move over or who swerves towards me or who honks right as they come up behind me just to see me jump.  I've even thought of running with a helmet on but decided that would be a bit impractical.  Trust me, no one wants me to remain safe more than I do.  Just keep your eyes on the road and worry about your driving, and  I will worry about where I run. Thanks.  Happy running.