When running / walking downtown, I feel noticeably safer crossing illegally in the center of a one way road than I do at the cross walk when the walk sign is on

When running / walking downtown, I feel noticeably safer crossing illegally in the center of a one way road than I do at the cross walk when the walk sign is on. Reasoning: at a crosswalk I have to deal with cars coming from 2 or 3 different directions, including behind me. In the middle of the street, cars are only coming in one direction.