It’s day 29…I really should stop this count down, it made January go by so fast!  My workout today hasn’t happened yet. It’s early release from school, so once Ally gets home we will head to the gym. Maybe sneak in a short run if it’s not terribly cold.

Let’s talk safety, I know we’ve done that before.  But, it’s such an important lesson and we need a reminder sometimes. These tips apply to runners and walkers.

• If you can, run with a buddy.
• Run against traffic. Never with cars at your back, especially important if you run in the street. Whether it’s daylight or not.
• Wear bright clothes. Running in the dark in black/gray clothes will not help a car see you.
• There are tons of blinkers, flash lights, bright clothes out there….find some!
• Dog spray/mace. I actually carry mace (Personal Savers) as much for stray dogs as unwelcome attention from strangers. I’ve only had a few incidents where I was uncomfortable and of course one of those times I had no phone and no pepper spray! (rookie mistake)
• Change your routes. When I started out I always ran the same route, I figured it’d be easy for the hubby to find me if I didn’t come back home. Unfortunately, other people start to notice that routine as well. I’m not a fan of posting your routes on Facebook or Twitter either. That’s asking for trouble.
• Don’t wear your jewelry. You don’t want to give someone a reason to rob you.
• If you are on a trail/sidewalk, stay to the right. This will keep you safe from getting run over by a biker! Or a runner trying to pass you.
• Music: I don’t usually wear my headphones except on long runs or races and I only wear one ear bud. It’s best not to wear both ear buds with music up. You need to be able to hear what’s around you. ie dogs, people chasing you, cars.
• Just pay attention to your surroundings. Always assume the driver doesn’t see you and be prepared to get out of the way!
• Carry ID or get a Road ID. My whole family has a Road ID wristband.  Ally wore hers to camp, to visit family out of state, pretty much she wears it all the time now. I didn’t even have to prompt her to do that. (I got a smart girl!)

You can put anything you want on your Road ID. I have my name, my husbands name and phone number, my date of birth, and “no allergies” on mine. My husband’s medicine is listed on his. This is especially important if you have a life threatening situation and can’t tell someone if you are on medicine or have allergies. He wears his to the gym. I don’t normally but I should be. I wear it when running and for races.

To go along with the topic of safety, our giveaway today is from Road ID. They have tons of options and colors. You can put your Road ID on your wrist, ankle or shoe, with options for the type of bracelet. John and I have the sport band with velcro. Ally got the slim wrist band. The ID plates can be removed and used on different bands from the same line. She will need a bigger band at some point. Some bands even have reflective material.

They have several high visibility products I didn’t know they offered, like reflective shoe laces, wrist bands and belts.

There are several ways to earn entries in the rafflecopter below. The giveaway is for a $35 e-card good toward the purchase of Road ID wristbands.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway runs from 8AM CST January 29, 2014 until 8PM CST February 3, 2014. Winner will be contacted via email. No purchase necessary to enter. Must be a US resident to receive the prize. Void where prohibited by law.

Did you workout today?

What’s your best safety tip?

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1