I felt like sharing my thoughts. If anyone else agrees, has any advice, or would like to talk about their own pet peeve, please post it here.

  Wear a ball cap and pull the bill down low.  Look at the ground in front of you as the car approaches.  The bill blocks the light and you can see where you are stepping.   

Also, people in NE GA just can't say no to another dog (Its only one more) and I'm not sure if leashes have been introduced here yet. So I carry a tiny can of pepper spray in my pocket. I certainly don't want to hurt an animal, but I don't want it to hurt me either. One quick shot of this stuff will teach about any dog to leave you alone.

I also dread those groups that block the pavement. They are typically groups of two-four old women walking with their poofy coats and fanny packs, who just can't seem to mear my panting, and don't even inch over a bit as I'm passing them on the curb/in the mud, etc.

That is one of my peeves. And yes the lights in the eyes is a bad one. I guess they do not get it.

Oh yes, yesterdays run, facing traffic, a lady in a big pickup is looking down towards the floorboards looking for something as she slowly edges in my direction. And the shoulder of the road to my left is VERY icy and snow packed. I was ready to take a dive.....

Running on a trail means sharing it with bicyclists. I just wish they would tell me when they were coming up behind me. If they just say "On your left!" I appreciate it so much. Otherwise, I am worried that one of these days I am going to suddenly turn out in front of one of them. 

The neighborhood where my inlaws live in CT in is a 25MPH residential country road.  There are lots of small hills and sharp turns and still people dirve 45-50MPH (and won't move over just a little for a runner).  How can they see anything on the other side of the curve or hill when driving that fast?

When ever I see someone who slows down and gives me a wide berth I am always sure to smile, wave and say thankyou as we pass.

Peace

as for problems with people, i have my peeves, but my philosophy is that of self-preservation and showing love instead of expecting respect.  as far as the road goes, it's made for cars, not for runners.  i watch every car expecting it to edge my way and i always try to have an out (never leave yourself without an out, even if it means turning around and going around the block).  in a collision, the car is always going to win...  doesn't matter who was right and who was wrong.  and as far as the sidewalk goes, it is a side"walk", so i think i would give the tie to the walker.  i think we usually see them before they see us anyway, so as soon as i see them, i start making for the path around them instead of waiting for them to move for me.  once i get into that habit, i've had much less stressful runs.

 dogs aren't a pet peeve of mine, they just scare the crap out of me.

I agree, it's best to just go with the flow as far as traffic is concerned. Stay out of their way! It's not worth the fight. When cars come to a stop sign or light I run behind them. I also try to cross the street before I get to an intersection when no traffic is present and then switch to the other side after making the turn.

I'm afraid of Dogs and I loose my cool too often when a dog comes at me and is not on a leash, especially if the owner is around. I've been running for over 25 years and been biten enough to know dogs can't be trusted. Even the small ones. Ugh I wish I had a good answer on that one. I know not all dogs will bite, but I haven't been able to tell. Then ones I least expect are the ones that take a nip at me. 

I'm also not a big fan of babyjoggers being used during a race.  If they are used, I think folks so inclined should line up at the back of the pack so as to not cause traffic jams at the start of the race. 

I'd agree with all the above peeves, but my ultimate pet peeve is when people are running with their dogs and they either:

a) don't have them on a leash, and the dog ends up stopping / running too close to you or right in front of you, or

b) they have them on a leash, but runner is running on one side of the trail, while the dog is running on the opposite side (i.e. MY side!). Where the hell does that leave me?!?? Am I supposed to go run in the bloody ditch??!

 Same thing goes for grumpy people on the trail. How much effort does it take for you to acknowledge my "hello" or wave with a wave / nod / smile? Betcha would feel better after doing so!

I can't stand cars going through lights/stops early, or not stopping at all. Driving is a privilege, being healthy is my right! Pedestrians ALWAYS come first (even though not in the case of air pollution. I cycle and still have to inhale toxins). I find cars trying to zoom out of parking lots almost running me over every time I run. Then the driver just smiles at me after realizing (s)he was suppose to stop but luckily didn't run me over.

1) As mentioned, people who scowl in response to your Good Morning or Hello. It's not even friendliness we seek, simple humanity. 

2) Walking/riding in wide groups that take up the whole path. As they edge you off the pavement next to the sign that says Share The Path; lovely.

3) Municipal governments that will put their snow-clearing machines in all places but the bikepath, forcing us onto busy streets.

Dogs don't bug me, the owners are another story. Not yet had a problem with nasty drivers (knock wood).

be safe everyone! 

After years of running I've experienced all of the above including a dog bite, full beer can toss from moving car (it hit me in the arm..no injury) and the usual rude behavior everyone has mentioned above. 

Still, I'd gladly accept the annoyances and risk from running when comparred to what I"ve experienced riding a road bike.  I've been lucky so far, but it seems like just a matter of time before I am taken-out or run off the road by a car, truck or bus. 

Before you reply that I can help myself by being a better rider, please know that I follow the rules of the road, both the ones that are law and the others that are safety recommendations by experienced riders.

If not for the love of riding and bad knees, I wouldn't stick another tire on the road and go back to running in a heart beat.

For those of you getting annoyed by dogs, try putting a few bits of kibble in your pocket and toss a bit out between you and the dog, say around a metre away from you and off to the side - most dogs will go for the treat and next time they see a runner might give you a happy grin instead of a snap!  The worst thing my German Sheperd ever did was turn around and follow another runner, sticking her nose straight up his bum.  Sooo embarrassing. 

I think I am the only Australian using this site?  It is fantastic.  I haven't had a stich since reading the advice column and now breathe in only on my left foot strike.  I am only a learner but really enjoy mapping runs and see how far I've actually gone (okay, so the furtherest to date has been 8km, but it is getting easier every week!). 

Cheers, Ang.

My other big pet peeve is honkers.  Whether its someone who thinks they know me, or just high school kids having a laugh, a loud and surprising honk will bolt you right out of that meditative focus during a run and make you jump a few feet.

Cars are without a big pain, but when somebody does move out I always give them a wave to say thankyou, it might encourage them to do it for others.  As for walkers on the pavement/sidewalk I think the onus is on us runners to make way. We are moving faster and therefore pose more of a threat to the vulnerable old, young or disabled. 

What I loath though is the abuse from youths and those who should know better especially when it is directed at women runners.  Though the kid who jumped out at one of the women runners I know trying to suprise her won't do it again. In suprise she punched him (she's an ex army officer) down, how his mates laughed.

Someday I'm going to accidently kill a 40 yr old mother of 3 and my life is going to be in ruin.  Running in the street should be banned everywhere outside of residential side streets... and then only if there is no usable sidewalk on the street.  You had better be running in the same direction as traffic.  And if it's dark, you better be lit up like a freaking christmas tree.  

Seriously people, you're only running in the street so your neighbors can see you and how amazingly awesome and fit you are. 

Get on the sidewalk or find another place to run.  The streets are for cars.

Note- I am a runner and so far have been able to figure out an infinite number of running routes that don't involve me going on busy streets no matter what the weather.

people who think they're funny by yelling or honking at you as they drive by.

cars that turn in as you're crossing a street.

runners that don't use sidewalks in high traffic areas

people running the wrong direction on a TRACK, don't care about the street, the track only.

TREADMILLS !!!!!!!  RUNNING INSIDE ON A TREADMILL WHEN ITS BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE !!!!!!!!

I was able to pull up and do a bit of a karaoke to the right and avoided getting hit.  However, I badly pulled (ie slight tear) my hamstring in the process and lost several days of training.

I'm sure the driver was very happy he made it to his destination 2 seconds earlier than he would have if he let me pass.

mapmyrun1-

No, the streets aren't only for cars. Check your uniform vehicle code. It is your responsibility, as a driver, to be sure you can see everything in your path of travel, be they runners, walkers, cyclists, or wild animals.

Your assumption that people who run in the street only to show off their fit bodies could not be farther off- Many run in the street because they are more visible there. I can't count the number of times I was almost hit, while running on the sidewalk, by someone who was backing out of their driveway and didn't think checking the sidewalk was worth their time. As well, in winter many of the sidewalks are impassible and icy. My best opportunity at a clear surface is in the street.

And for runners, by far the safest method of travel while on streets is into the direction of traffic- that way you can see what's coming, and get out of the way if they don't see you...

I agree that nightime runners should be lit up. I run with a headlamp, a blinky clip on tailight, and wear reflective clothing as well. But it is my responsibility to me (and my family) to take these measures- not your job to require it of me.

Maybe you're not one of those runners who veers off the side streets onto the main drags.  If not, than this really isn't meant for you. 

The idea that the street is safer than the sidewalk because you're "more visible" there is about as logical as telling a 5-yr-old to go play in the street.  

Running against traffic is against the law for a reason, it adds an effective 12-15mph to any potential collision.

And please don't tell me that this isn't my job.  I'm expressing my opinion here just like everyone else.  If you expect to share the road (or anything) with your fellow man, you're going to have to cool the personal freedom agenda. 

I do think it is nice to share some frustrations here.

One thing I don't understand though - how can it be illegal to run against traffic? That's what I was taught to do (on 55mph roads with no shoulder - but I still do this now on residential 25mph streets).

I admit it is safer to go against traffic in most situations, but it scares the crap out of me when I drive over a hill or turn a blind corner to see a runner coming towards me on my side of the road at the last second.

While a runner will never beat a car in an accident, they do have the right of way. We have all had close calls with cars, but to be told that it is our fault becuase it is "4am and it's dark and the windows are fogged." That is garbage. It isn't our fault that a person can't start their car 10 min. earlier so that the windows aren't foggy. I run 4 times a week at 4:30 AM because that is the only time I can run. I have one run a week when the sun is up and I can assure you that it isn't so that my 85 year old neighbor can see how sexy I am.

Rant finished.

Number two are the drivers who look only to the left when making a right turn at an intersection, and roll thru stop signs if they see nobody coming.  After being 'bumped' by such a driver while running on vacation in Las Vegas I've learned you've got to watch the driver to see if they are looking your way. 

my peeve is typing this in twice....

the recycling crew who smash the bottles on the road and shower the road with glass.  puncturevill = auckland new zealand  ":-) 

Maybe you're not one of those runners who veers off the side streets onto the main drags.  If not, than this really isn't meant for you. 

The idea that the street is safer than the sidewalk because you're "more visible" there is about as logical as telling a 5-yr-old to go play in the street.  

Running against traffic is against the law for a reason, it adds an effective 12-15mph to any potential collision.

And please don't tell me that this isn't my job.  I'm expressing my opinion here just like everyone else.  If you expect to share the road (or anything) with your fellow man, you're going to have to cool the personal freedom agenda. "

And I'm pointing out that your opinion contravenes common sense and logic-

Fact- Pedestrians have the right of way. Roads are not the sole property of motorists.

Fact- Comparing a middle-aged runner traveling on the shoulder of the road, watching out for his/her own safety, to a five y.o. child learning to ride a bike is a false comparison, and ignores the point- It is far easier to be seen at the intersection of a driveway with the road than at the driveway/sidewalk intersection because drivers are looking out for things which threaten their safety. This is not a concern of motorist at the sidewalk intersection, and so many drivers do not look there.

Fact- if we were to limit our runs (or  bike rides) to areas with sidewalks only, we'd have an extremely limited number of options for long runs or rides. And since I have the right to use any surface street I chose as a running route, your discomfort at my doing so means nothing.

Fact- it is the motorist's responsibility to yield, in all events, to the pedestrian. If you can't operate your vehicle in the safe manner prescribed by law, then hang up your car keys.

Fact- the moment you lie your whole argument goes out the window. Considering that you're most concerned with maintaning your piece of mind while driving your car with foggy windows, I'm not surprised you'd think that limiting an individual person's freedom is an appropriate response to your fragile nerves.

Fact- if you're not prepared to have someone point out the errors in your argument, then don't offer your opinion. We are all free to offer our opinions. Putting your opinion up here does not protect you from dissent.