Close Call

I normally get my runs in early in the mornings before the kiddos wake up.  However, lately my schedule has been shaken up a bit by hubby's work schedule.  So Tuesday evening I headed out for an easy 4 miler around 5:15pm.  It was still light, but the light was fading fast.  At about mile 2 it started to rain.  Where I live most of my running is done on the roads in my community.  I always follow the rules of the road and I also wear reflective gear and carry a light when it's dark or rainy.
Tuesday night was no different.  I was visible.  At mile 3 I was running on one of the main road in our small town where the posted speed limit is 25.  There also happens to only be about 18" of shoulder on this road and so I was over as far as possible.  I saw a newer model black Chevy Z71 headed my way. (I'm not sure what it is, but from my experience, it seems men driving trucks can't be bothered to slow down or give room to a runner more often than not.)  So because of my past experiences with men driving trucks, I slowed down.  I was already as far over as I could go without diving into a ditch.  I made eye contact with the driver just in time to see him swerve towards me. I ducked, to avoid having my head taken off by the passenger side mirror, and twisted my back toward the truck.  As I twisted I drove my elbow back into the passenger side of the truck.
One thing you should know about me....I don't scare very easily.  When my adrenaline gets going...I want to fight.  In the "Flight or Fight" response...I only have the "Fight"...maybe from being raised with all boys..who knows.
I was hoping he had a nice little indentation of my elbow in his pretty truck. I know not very nice....

Anyway, I turned to see if the truck stopped and it hadn't, but I did see it turn down a road that leads to the local gym.  So I turned around and ran to that gym. Hubby later scolded me for this.  By the time I got to the gym the driver of the truck had already gone in.  So I wrote down the license plate number and went in to see if I could find out the name of the guy.  I told the guy at the front desk what happened and asked him if he knew who the owner of the truck was, he said he didn't know but would find out.  I told him just to let the guy know that he had hit a runner(though technically I hit him) and that I was turning his license plate number over to the police.  I gave all of the info to the local police, one of whom I coached in the Fleet Feet No Boundaries program.  I don't know what they will do with the info, but I hope it's at least enough to scare that road bully.
So, that was Tuesday evening...Wednesday I ordered more reflective gear and will be ordering a Road ID this weekend.  I don't know why I have been putting that off.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for God's protection and that my head is still attached to my body!

What do you do to make sure you are visible when you run in the rain/dark.

Have you had any close calls?
Grace and peace,