Run on the beach to avoid traffic? So was 38 year old Robert Gary Jones of Hilton Head Island South Carolina, when he was struck from behind and killed by a single engine kit plane. The event occurred on Monday evening. Jones, apparently was listening to headphones during his run, and likely did not even hear the stalled aircraft approaching from behind. According to the AP release:

“There’s no noise,” said aviation expert Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general for the National Transportation Safety Board. “So the jogger, with his ear buds in, and the plane without an engine, you’re basically a stealth aircraft. Who would expect to look up?”

This incident could provide fodder for proponents of banning the use of headphones during competitive races. Several major races already discourage the use of headphones, because of safety reasons. According to former inspector Schiavo’s statement, it appears unlikely that even without headphones, Jones would have heard the approaching plane.

But, for those who live in metropolitan areas (like Manhattan) and do not have the luxury of working out on the beach, Jones’ death should be a reminder to exercise caution. For many, taking music away from the workout, changes the workout from “doable,” into torture. So, the key is to find a happy medium.

When listening to music during a run, make sure that the volume in the headphones is not so loud that it blocks out all of the ambient noise. Lets be honest, even when Central Park Drive is closed to traffic, that place is a complete zoo. The same dangers exist on almost all of New York city’s pedestrian paths, especially those that are shared with bicycle traffic. As great as music can be to help a person get into a zone during a workout, tragedies like the one in South Carolina prove that it important to remain aware of surroundings, even in the most seemingly innocuous of locations.

So, to be on the safe side, turn down the headphones, and enjoy the spring weather!

Join Chris Solinsky (a 10 time All-American), this evening for a free clinic on maximizing your 10k race. Sponsored by Nike running, this lecture takes place tonight from 6PM to 8:30 PM at NY Running Co. in the Time Warner Center at 59th Street, Columbus Circle, New York City.

Local, NYC runner Aileen Conlon will also be present, imparting some of her wisdom regarding the 10k distance. After the lectures, There will be 3 and 5 mile training runs. Nike will also be giving away plenty of freebies at the event.

Nike will also be on hand to help out those who have not yet registered for next month’s Nike Plus Human Race.  For more information, contact NY Running Co. at the Time Warner Center.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

Bored of running that same route, day after day? Well, starting Saturday August 8, and for the following two Saturdays, runners will have a unique opportunity to run the heart of the East Side, of Manhattan without dodging taxis.

New York City’s 2009 Summer Streets get underway at 7:00 AM Saturday morning. Park Avenue will be closed to automobile traffic from 72nd Street, going south. Connecting streets will also be closed, so that one could run/ride/skate, all the way from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge and back. Click here for a map of the route.

This is the second year of New York Summer Streets. It should be even bigger and better than last year. According to the City’s website, the 2009 Summer Streets will kick off with a fun run:

Kick-off Summer Streets with a fun run with Team-in-Training at Foley Square at 7:30 am. The group will head north up the Summer Streets route to 72nd Street and into Central Park. The run is open to all and you are welcome to go for as long (or as short) as you would like. You can also bike or skate your way along the route. We’ll be providing over 150 free bikes, 180 pairs of free skates at the Soho Station at Spring Street, the Music and Culture Rest Stop at 24th Street and the Family Rest Stop at 51st Street. Feel like really working up a sweat? Take a free class with Crunch at 12th Street. See the Activities page for a full line up of events. And check back often for updates.

The route will be closed to auto traffic from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM. So, make sure to get out early, and join in the fun. For more information, please visit the City’s Summer Streets Website.

New York Road Runners Team Championships are also Saturday August 8th in Central Park. Various track clubs from around the NYC area will be competing this Saturday, for bragging rights. The men’s race begins a 9 AM, the women’s is at 10 AM. Click here for a course map.

According the NYC Nike Facebook group, Nike will be holding a promotion for the 26.2 training program, Wednesday night, July 29th, at Paragon Sports. Events will include:

• ­Meet and Greet with Coaches and Pacers followed by a Q&A
• IN-TRAINING shirt distribution
• ­FREE Gait Analysis beginning at 5:30PM (so get there early)
• ­20% off special shopping night on all NIKE products
• ­Details on upcoming reward and discount programs
• ­Shoe Trial prizes (hint: LunarGlides and come early!)
• Plus food, drink and fun!!

Coming up August 1st, the NYRR will be holding the second of the group training runs, for the fall marathon. After the run, ING will be holding a “post-run energizer,” held at the ING Direct Cafe. Here are the details, according to an NYRR email distribution earlier this week:

Join us for a Post-Run Energizer hosted at the ING DIRECT Café at East 58th Street and Third Avenue on Saturday, August 1. Transportation to the ING DIRECT Café, light food, and beverages will be provided, and Timex-sponsored athlete AC Morgan will share his experiences as an Ironman competitor. Plus, the first 150 attendees will receive a free ING New York City Marathon ASICS training hat in addition to the opportunity to win some great prizes. All attendees at events will also be eligible to participate in our series-ending grand prize-drawing. The prize includes a trip to an adult running camp, a one-year supply of ASICS running shoes, an ING New York City Marathon-branded Timex watch, a Garmin GPS watch, and a VIP experience at the ING New York City Marathon 2009.

More details at the NYRR site.