Note to Drivers: I'm Sorry
RunConquerCelebrate
Posts: 956 Member
This is from Remy's World Runners World Magazine.
A motorist in California recently apologized to a jogger. Now it's my turn.
Readers, it will not surprise you to learn that when a California woman nearly got hit recently while out for a run, the media labeled her a "jogger."
What may surprise you is what happened next. She got an apology.
As reported on nbcbayarea.com:
Julie Colwell was out jogging Thursday morning, as she does every morning, when she was cut off in the crosswalk by a passing car.
“I was like, ‘You jerk! Pay attention!'” Colwell recalled. “I yelled, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ I was fuming.”
But the 42-year-old Sunnyvale, Calif., mother of three had a sudden change of heart Friday morning.
She said she found an apology note taped to the crosswalk pole near Cherry Chase Elementary School, the exact spot where she had nearly been hit the day before.
I'll pause a moment here, so you can pick yourself up off the floor.
That's right -- a genuine, thoughtful note of regret. To a runner. From a motorist.
For her part, Colwell has forgiven the writer of the note, who remains nameless. Addressing him or her through the media, she said, “Thanks so much for owning it. We need more of that."
She's right. But you know what? When it comes to runners (or joggers) and motorists, civility is, ahem, a two-way street. In that spirit, I would like to offer the following note of apology to a driver I wronged just last week:
To the driver checking her phone at the 4 way stop,
I am incredibly sorry for glaring at you. I was in the middle of a tempo run, but that is no excuse. When I saw you rolling up to the inter-section, with one hand on the wheel and the other holding up your phone, I should have known that you had no intention of actually stopping at that stop sign.
Next time, I will be the one who stops, so you can enjoy your drive (and your texting, of Facebooking, or whatever) unimpeded by pedestrians or those pesky stop signs.
Thank you for the wakeup call. Sorry!
Mark.
Here is my apology:
Dear lady trying to make a left turn into the community,
I am sorry for thinking that I had the right away when I ran across the street when you were attempting to make a left turn. You almost hit me and that was my bad, next time I will make sure to make a full stop and allow you the right away so that you can get to you house one minute faster.
Sincerely
Shirley
Now let me hear your apologies
A motorist in California recently apologized to a jogger. Now it's my turn.
Readers, it will not surprise you to learn that when a California woman nearly got hit recently while out for a run, the media labeled her a "jogger."
What may surprise you is what happened next. She got an apology.
As reported on nbcbayarea.com:
Julie Colwell was out jogging Thursday morning, as she does every morning, when she was cut off in the crosswalk by a passing car.
“I was like, ‘You jerk! Pay attention!'” Colwell recalled. “I yelled, ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ I was fuming.”
But the 42-year-old Sunnyvale, Calif., mother of three had a sudden change of heart Friday morning.
She said she found an apology note taped to the crosswalk pole near Cherry Chase Elementary School, the exact spot where she had nearly been hit the day before.
I'll pause a moment here, so you can pick yourself up off the floor.
That's right -- a genuine, thoughtful note of regret. To a runner. From a motorist.
For her part, Colwell has forgiven the writer of the note, who remains nameless. Addressing him or her through the media, she said, “Thanks so much for owning it. We need more of that."
She's right. But you know what? When it comes to runners (or joggers) and motorists, civility is, ahem, a two-way street. In that spirit, I would like to offer the following note of apology to a driver I wronged just last week:
To the driver checking her phone at the 4 way stop,
I am incredibly sorry for glaring at you. I was in the middle of a tempo run, but that is no excuse. When I saw you rolling up to the inter-section, with one hand on the wheel and the other holding up your phone, I should have known that you had no intention of actually stopping at that stop sign.
Next time, I will be the one who stops, so you can enjoy your drive (and your texting, of Facebooking, or whatever) unimpeded by pedestrians or those pesky stop signs.
Thank you for the wakeup call. Sorry!
Mark.
Here is my apology:
Dear lady trying to make a left turn into the community,
I am sorry for thinking that I had the right away when I ran across the street when you were attempting to make a left turn. You almost hit me and that was my bad, next time I will make sure to make a full stop and allow you the right away so that you can get to you house one minute faster.
Sincerely
Shirley
Now let me hear your apologies
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Replies
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Dear Mr. Driver,
I am so sorry for enjoying my run on this bright sunny day during school zone hours. I was unaware that my correctness in running towards you in the lane impeded your ability to speed through the 15 MPH zone, and understand that your need to blow your horn at me the entire time you passed was my fault. From now on, I will make sure to run when the safety zone is not enforced and dive off into the 15 ft ditch just so that you can continue driving at 50 mph on a city two-way.
Sincerely
Becky0 -
Driver Ms. Driver,
I am sorry for glaring at you and mumbling under my breath that you were "killing me with kindness" when you refused to turn eventhough I waved you by and slowed down so that you could go safely.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
EDIT: I can't spell Sincerely 0 -
Becky, you should keep that note wrapped around a brick just in case.0
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I have a funny story about a motorist!
I swore the van was ACTUALLY trying to hit me - it's like, I looked the guy in the eye and he gunned it. I jumped and screamed and got out of the way. I was certain it was on purpose!
So when he pulled out, I snapped a picture of the license plate and texted it to my husband. At which point, the van started following me down the street. I went into the bushes and started running through some people's back yards.
The van was still following me.
After a few back yards, I ran into a family that was totally surprised to see a runner coming out of the bushes in their back yard, and they asked me what was wrong. It was a couple and two college aged sons, both of whom are runners and run cross country for their colleges. I pointed at the van. They encouraged me to call the cops.
By the time I called the cops, apparently, FIVE PEOPLE had already called the police to report a van stalking a jogger.... including the guy in the van, because the guy in the van wanted to apologize, but realized he'd scared the crap out of me.
The police on the phone told me as much, and with the two college kids, I approached the van to talk to the guy.
He apologized profusely, and.... get this..... we had run into one another at a 5k that morning. He pushes a disabled kid in a wheelchair. WTH? It's like full service. They hit you with the car and then push you with the wheelchair afterwards.0 -
Dear Early Morning Driver,
I apologize that my reflective ankle wraps, head lamp and flashing LED bracelet were confusing to you such that you needed to turn your high beams on from about 25 yards away to determine what, exactly, was coming toward you at 6:30 in the morning. Since I could no longer see, I was also appreciative of your honking horn to let me know you were passing me by.
In the future I will try to be less distracting with my flashing light and safety wear.
Regards,
Jason0 -
I have a funny story about a motorist!
I swore the van was ACTUALLY trying to hit me - it's like, I looked the guy in the eye and he gunned it. I jumped and screamed and got out of the way. I was certain it was on purpose!
So when he pulled out, I snapped a picture of the license plate and texted it to my husband. At which point, the van started following me down the street. I went into the bushes and started running through some people's back yards.
The van was still following me.
After a few back yards, I ran into a family that was totally surprised to see a runner coming out of the bushes in their back yard, and they asked me what was wrong. It was a couple and two college aged sons, both of whom are runners and run cross country for their colleges. I pointed at the van. They encouraged me to call the cops.
By the time I called the cops, apparently, FIVE PEOPLE had already called the police to report a van stalking a jogger.... including the guy in the van, because the guy in the van wanted to apologize, but realized he'd scared the crap out of me.
The police on the phone told me as much, and with the two college kids, I approached the van to talk to the guy.
He apologized profusely, and.... get this..... we had run into one another at a 5k that morning. He pushes a disabled kid in a wheelchair. WTH? It's like full service. They hit you with the car and then push you with the wheelchair afterwards.
LOLOLOL.0 -
Dear old people driving in the rain on Sunday morning,
I'm sorry I scared you and made you have to slam on the brakes and slide out into the intersection on that rainy morning instead of following your plan of just blowing the stop sign. Just to let you know, I'm used to you *kitten* not stopping at stop signs and I had planned to stop anyway so your last minute decision to slide to a stop was unnecessary. But I'm sure that the car that was coming up behind me appreciated you not hitting them. I can only gather by the day of the week and the time of day and the manner of your dress that you were on your way to church and the speed with which you were driving your F150 through a residential area is likely an indication that you were late. I don't know for sure which Jesus thinks is worse, running over people or being late to church.
Kiss my *kitten*.
Love,
John0 -
Dear loud and lifted pickup truck driver,
I know last summer in South Dakota was short lived and frustrating for all. I was enjoying a bike ride and cruising down a country road going about 18MPH when you came cruising by me. The road was empty both ways and you decided the best course of action was to stay within a few feet of me and hit the gas right behind me and blow exhaust and crap from your bed everywhere, then unroll your window and flip me off. My next course of action was pretty immature, but cathartic. It was me who had a hunch you were going to the airport because of the luggage in view from your tailgate, so I headed out there too. It might have been me who left a 3-foot scratch on your doors and panels (down to the bare metal) with a Topeak bike multitool then disposed of my banana peel on your windshield. I deeply regret my actions to this day. It might have been a case of accidental *kitten*-ism on your part.
Sincerely,
Doug0 -
That felt good.0
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Dear Hot Shot Teen in your R.I.C.E.d up Honda Civic Hatchback,
I want to apologize for my high expectations of you. I was obviously in the wrong for thinking that you would chose to move over into the 2nd lane to pass by me on my recent run. I was clearly mistaken, and would like you to know that I am sorry for this misunderstanding that ultimately led to you driving right beside me to the point that on my down swing with my arm my knuckles actually grazed the side of your car.
Please know that I am correcting my ways - next time you pass I will be sure to run with my house keys rising out from the webs of my fingers so that your car will be nicely scratched up, and my knuckles will be protected.
Sincerely,
Linli0 -
Dear driver of the Red Hatchback,
I would like to say I am sorry for leaving a sweaty *kitten* mark across the hood of your car when you decided to take off while I was running across the street in front of your stopped car. It was completely my fault for running at 5am with reflective clothing and a headlamp. I should have taken into consideration that you were probably running late for some meaningless job and it takes way to much effort to look right or even up before smashing the gas pedal. It was a good call not stopping to see if I was okay because the concrete in that specific section of road is actually pretty soft.
Sincerely,
Kenneth0 -
HOLY CRAP!0
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Dear Mr Pick-up-Truck Driver,
I am so very sorry that my run took me along a stretch of road with no sidewalk. Clearly this was a grave error that could have resulted in a serious accident, particularly on this wide, straight and extremely quiet road. Although I was running close enough to the edge that tree branches were poking me, I realise that I seriously impeded your driving. Thank you for honking your horn at me for a good ten seconds to inform me thusly. I shall take full responsibility for the near heart attack of the experience.
Sincerely, an inconsiderate runner.
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Dear Mrs Impatient driver yesterday,
A very kind driver slowed down yesterday and stopped to allow me to cross the road. I am very sorry that this would have added another 10 seconds onto your journey time, but fortunately you had the good sense to overtake this car to avoid any delays. Even more fortunately I saw you coming; I expect knocking down a runner would cause considerably longer delays for you.
Sincerely, Emily0 -
Dear driver of the Red Hatchback,
I would like to say I am sorry for leaving a sweaty *kitten* mark across the hood of your car when you decided to take off while I was running across the street in front of your stopped car. It was completely my fault for running at 5am with reflective clothing and a headlamp. I should have taken into consideration that you were probably running late for some meaningless job and it takes way to much effort to look right or even up before smashing the gas pedal. It was a good call not stopping to see if I was okay because the concrete in that specific section of road is actually pretty soft.
Sincerely,
Kenneth
Yikes! Hope you were ok!
Thankfully none of my stories are this bad, I've been lucky with drivers, I've found a lot more willing to wave me on than cause me issues. Especially considering I line in NH, land of considerate drivers... (lol)0 -
Dear Driver at the red traffic lights last week,
I am so sorry you got stuck behind a bus at that crossroads and therefore had to wait, I am sure waiting those extra 30secs would have caused insurmountable delays to your journey, luckily for you I was already aware you were paying no attention to the lights or me and the other pedestrians and quickly pulled back as I went to run across.
Sincerely
Sarah
Also yesterday walking home from work an ambulance put on it's siren to run a red light, I genuinely mean this the driver appeared to be stopping at the red light (no sirens previously and it's a busy road) wasn't driving fast then literally looked at me and this other guy and the lights and put on the siren, then switched it off.0 -
Dear driver of the Red Hatchback,
I would like to say I am sorry for leaving a sweaty *kitten* mark across the hood of your car when you decided to take off while I was running across the street in front of your stopped car. It was completely my fault for running at 5am with reflective clothing and a headlamp. I should have taken into consideration that you were probably running late for some meaningless job and it takes way to much effort to look right or even up before smashing the gas pedal. It was a good call not stopping to see if I was okay because the concrete in that specific section of road is actually pretty soft.
Sincerely,
Kenneth
Yikes! Hope you were ok!
Thankfully none of my stories are this bad, I've been lucky with drivers, I've found a lot more willing to wave me on than cause me issues. Especially considering I line in NH, land of considerate drivers... (lol)
I was fine, it was more surprising than anything else. I got up and stood there for a minute watching the tail lights disappear saying to myself "Did they really just drive off". I was stunned, that they didn't even ask if I was okay.0 -
Dear drivers,
I am sorry I have been delinuquent in picking up the set of hardened-knuckle motorcycle gloves I keep meaning to get. Don't worry, the next time one of you tries to turn right while I am in the cross-walk and the little man is lit up I will remember.
Love,
Dave0 -
Dear drivers,
I am sorry I have been delinuquent in picking up the set of hardened-knuckle motorcycle gloves I keep meaning to get. Don't worry, the next time one of you tries to turn right while I am in the cross-walk and the little man is lit up I will remember.
Love,
Dave
Ooooh I like that idea0 -
There are all good, Thanks for sharing everyone.0
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Dear driver who pulled into her driveway right in front of me without using turn signal,
I'm sorry I startled you when you wheeled around that corner and gunned it into your driveway without signaling or slowing down in the slightest. I promise I was startled too, as I was within a few feet of being mowed down. Next time I'm running on the sidewalk, I'll be sure to pause before each and every driveway to look around and make sure the coast is clear, so that you don't have to trouble yourself with using that pesky flip switch to turn on a blinking light. Clearly that's what makes the most sense for everyone.
Sincerely,
Jenna0 -
Dear Driver,
I'm sorry as I was walking up that steep hill yesterday on my way home from the gym that I wasn't able to lunge over the river of snow melt & jump up on the 3 foot snowbank to get off the side of the road. Obviously it was wrong of me to assume you could move over a smidge since I had nowhere else to go and there was no oncoming traffic. It was really special being in touching distance of your car, and I sincerely hope the next time you are out walking other motorists show you the same courtesies you showed me.
Laura0 -
Dear Driver,
I'm sorry I startled your child as you turned right into the crosswalk and hit me. Foolishly, I believed that the little walking man and green light indicated that it was safe and legal for me to cross. I hope the fingerprints I left on your hood as I caught your car and ran backward for 8 feet until you managed to brake buffed off easily. After all, you could have risked a neck injury checking for pedestrians before making that turn.
-Varda0 -
Dear Other Drivers In Bloomington, In:
I apologize for thumping your hood or kicking your bumper to warn you of my presence as you scan for traffic before making a right turn.
-Varda0 -
Dear Driver -
I'm sorry that my presence on the road prevented you from cutting five feet over the white line so that you couldn't take that corner at 50 mph instead of the posted 30 mph. I am sure that I made you even more late when you had to hit the brakes, and I completely distracted you from your hurried efforts when you had to take one hand off the wheel to give me the bird.0 -
Dear Driver -
I just want to say thanks for owning up. We all make mistakes and only of the best of us make right on them. I'm not sure how you could overlook a 6'4" 240lb man on a yellow bicycle, but you did. You never looked right as you went to turn and tagged me as I rode passed, sending me flying across your hood and down the side of your PT Cruiser in a heap of bent bicycle, my front tire bent into the shape of a Pringle.
You got out, made sure I was ok, dusted me off. You offered to give me a ride home, which I accepted. You then left to drop your son off at the Sec State to get his drivers permit (that's still hilarious by the way, hope he talked to you about distracted driving.) AND THEN YOU CAME BACK. You could have just left. I didn't get your plate or name because I was too frazzled. Not only did you come back, but you took me to the bike shop and bought me a brand new aluminum wheel no questions asked. You never said a word about the huge dent I left in your hood. You were apologetic and kind. Honestly, you made my day.
It's not often you get run over by a car and have some faith in humanity restored on the same day. Thanks for the great story.0 -
Dear pretty much every driver I have encountered in the last year since I started running.
I am glad that we live in the same town because you all pretty much watch out for me. You move over when it's clear and slow down for me when it's not. Some of you have had the audacity to get my attention when I was too focused in and didn't see you. Thank you that you sometimes even give my a thumbs up for encouragement. I understand you are all very rare as it seems this doesn't happen anywhere else on the planet. So, I am sorry I can't thank you all personally because you have up until now been awesome.0 -
Dear hurried lady driver,
As you could see, I was cycling home from a 30km ride in the pouring rain a few weeks ago, with flashing lights all over my bike and reflective raincoat and shoes.
When you accelerated from your driveway in front of me without looking first, I'm sorry that you hit me from the side, and as I stuck my foot out to protect myself I left a ding in your car whilst you pushed me sideways off my bike to the curb of the busy highway.
Sorry mate.
Sincerely,
Nicole.0 -
Dear cage dweller
I must apologise for only cycling up that steep hill at 6mph on my bike, I should be more thoughful and not cycle home after a long day at work and an hour and a half on the train. I do appreciate that my road position, in accordance with the highway code, in the middle third of the lane meant that you had to brush your wing mirror along my leg, and that the clear road in front of you required you to regain the lane very quickly and hit my front wheel as a result.
Further, I must apologise to the following three vehicles for lying sprawled across the road, wrapped in fluo yellow clothing and flashing LEDs. I appreciate that it must have been terribly inconveneint to have to slow down enough to safely work round me and continue on your way. Fortunately I was only lying there for five more minutes so nobody else was inconvenienced i the same way.
You'll be glad to know that as I couldn't rememebr enough of what happened that the police were unable to inconvenience you further.
Regards
MM0 -
Dear cage dweller
I must apologise for only cycling up that steep hill at 6mph on my bike, I should be more thoughful and not cycle home after a long day at work and an hour and a half on the train. I do appreciate that my road position, in accordance with the highway code, in the middle third of the lane meant that you had to brush your wing mirror along my leg, and that the clear road in front of you required you to regain the lane very quickly and hit my front wheel as a result.
Further, I must apologise to the following three vehicles for lying sprawled across the road, wrapped in fluo yellow clothing and flashing LEDs. I appreciate that it must have been terribly inconveneint to have to slow down enough to safely work round me and continue on your way. Fortunately I was only lying there for five more minutes so nobody else was inconvenienced i the same way.
You'll be glad to know that as I couldn't rememebr enough of what happened that the police were unable to inconvenience you further.
Regards
MM
Sheesh. I'm sorry about that. And nobody stopped? What is WITH people?0 -
Sheesh. I'm sorry about that. And nobody stopped? What is WITH people?
I suspect it was because I wasn't run over, the back of the car hit me and I fell off, so clearly it was my own fault and clearly I wasn't hurt...
I replaced my helmet as I was a bit dazed afterwards and figured I'd probably banged my head as I hit the road.
I always give bikes a large amount of room when I go past, either in the car or on my motorbike.0
