Fifth of a Series: Running Rules to Live By - Let Angry Motorists Go

Based loosely on a book by Mark Remy called The Runner's Rule Book as well as a Runner's World article from the January 2010 issue over the next week or so I will be posting a few running rules to live by.

I hope you enjoy the series.

Rule Five: Let Angry Motorists Go



I understand the impulse when a driver has just pulled out in front of you or turned directly in your path or otherwise behaved like a jerk. I know how much you'd love to slap the trunk of that driver's car, or shout at the person behind the wheel, helpfully suggesting that he or she 'learn to drive.' Or extend a certain digit in a certain direction. Do yourself - and all runners - a favor and fight that impulse. Smile. Your lashing out isn't likely to change the driver's behavior, and may, in fact, worsen it. For all you know, the still-seething guy may drive extra close to the next runner he sees, just to make a point. Let him or her go.

Special shout-out to the Blue Jay runners from the late 70's. Recall the winter we had that war with the Evil UPS driver over and over and over again?