K,
One way to minimize the potential for depth-of-field blur is to go to an image mode that allows you to select your aperture. Of course, one of the fun things to do with that lens is shoot at f/1.8...
But if you're setting the timer and moving to the front of the lens, you'll have a wider depth of field (area in focus in front of the camera) by going to, say f/8 or f/11.
That said, I have the 50mm f/1.8, but it's probably my least used lens, unless I'm indoors/low-light. I try to use my 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS lens as much as possible, moving myself or my objective before I switch to my 18-55mm kit lens (which I'm seeking to replace, see
this thread.)