running/walking outside in AM

2

Replies

  • Supermom883
    Supermom883 Posts: 84 Member
    ReeseG4350 wrote: »
    Live in an old "established" neighborhood and used to go out running every morning at around a.m. Had to stop. Why? IT'S DARK OUT THERE! Sidewalks heaved up and uneven made running on the sidewalk dangerous so every body uses the street. So I ran in the street.
    Unfortunately, there are holes in the street. Some of them are fairly small but still big enough to do damage. I started taking a lot of undesired nosedives. And, when I stepped into a pothole about 15" long by four wide... foot went in, did not come out. Ripped up my foot, ankle, knee, AND hip. (And my elbows and shoulders weren't too happy either!)

    Three months' of recovery later is when I invested in a high quality, high efficiency treadmill. (Then came the rest of the equipment and a third of my basement is now a home gym.)

    So, personally, I would not commend to anyone to run outside in the morning. But, as you can see, I have a built-in bias. Have you considered a gym? Some have very reasonable month-and are open very early (some even 24/7). Or you could always draft hubby to run with you!
    ;-)

    with three kids under 7 someone always has to be home with them or i would ask him to plus he is not a runner and he will slow me down lol. I am just getting into running i went from 291 to 257 and i want to continue it. I think i will try it in the am. i think ill wake up at 530 that way i am back by the time i normally wake up for work which is 630. I will also tried the runid app a pervious poster talked about. I would just like another opinion than skiping a workout bc of appointments at night. also the gym thing i cant afford we both work but things are tight. wish i could though bc id def get up and go.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I've seen several women who walk during the early morning. A few of them probably walk past the house of a friend of mine who had a man who waited for her to come out her front door before pushing her inside to do his thing. The fact that she had a dog didn't change anything.

    I tend to think that crimes against women are more likely to be premeditated rather than crimes of opportunity. A purse snatching is one thing, but the type of person who would attack a woman at five o'clock in the morning isn't looking for cash. It would be best to change your route everyday.
  • Timorous_Beastie
    Timorous_Beastie Posts: 595 Member
    Maybe go to a park or something instead of just in the neighborhood! And invest in some pepper spray!

    I'd feel safer in my own neighborhood than a park. People expect joggers in a park.

    I like to run on very isolated trails. I feel perfectly safe there because there's never anyone around, and I don't run on any predictable schedule. No crazy person is going to hang out behind a tree with chloroform and rope on the off-chance that today might be the day that someone runs by.
  • Supermom883
    Supermom883 Posts: 84 Member
    I've seen several women who walk during the early morning. A few of them probably walk past the house of a friend of mine who had a man who waited for her to come out her front door before pushing her inside to do his thing. The fact that she had a dog didn't change anything.

    I tend to think that crimes against women are more likely to be premeditated rather than crimes of opportunity. A purse snatching is one thing, but the type of person who would attack a woman at five o'clock in the morning isn't looking for cash. It would be best to change your route everyday.

    ok great i would def do this and i also wouldnt do it everyone morning just friday mornings or mornings that i have something planned after that i cant get out of.
  • sherbear702
    sherbear702 Posts: 650 Member
    Depends on where you live. I'm scared to go run/walk in the morning, in the dark because a bear or mountain lion might think I'm prey. I don't have a dog that I could offer up as an alternative either.
  • Bouteloua1234
    Bouteloua1234 Posts: 13 Member
    I second the option of looking for a running group that goes in the early morning. An added advantage is that if there are others waiting for you (or at least expecting you), you're less likely to just roll over and go back to sleep!
  • Supermom883
    Supermom883 Posts: 84 Member
    thanks everyone. I will take all this into account and im going to try it in the morning. I also do not have a dog i have a cat but i doubt she will run with me lol.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    I've seen several women who walk during the early morning. A few of them probably walk past the house of a friend of mine who had a man who waited for her to come out her front door before pushing her inside to do his thing. The fact that she had a dog didn't change anything.

    I tend to think that crimes against women are more likely to be premeditated rather than crimes of opportunity. A purse snatching is one thing, but the type of person who would attack a woman at five o'clock in the morning isn't looking for cash. It would be best to change your route everyday.

    I have actually read several articles containing insights from interviews with rapist/murders. Many of them relate that their crimes were crimes of opportunity -- that is, they were determined to commit their crimes, but would often take advantage of "opportunities" that arose when they saw a woman who looked vulnerable. There are criminals who stalk specific women, there are criminals who take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

    Changing your route daily is a great strategy to take to prevent someone from lying in wait for you specifically. It will not prevent the type of crime that takes place when someone notices you and realizes they have an opportunity.
  • Keiko385
    Keiko385 Posts: 514 Member
    3athlt wrote: »
    One thing not mentioned is having a Road ID and running the Road ID app on your phone. With the app, if you remain stationary for more than 5 minutes - it sends a text out to your emergency contacts (you can choose 5) to let them know you're in trouble. Also, you can put in contact info into the Road ID, allergy info, and medical info - all good stuff for first responders. It's a free app (for now) and I never run or ride without it. (no I don't work for the company, but I've used their products for years) I run/ride with a reflective vest, headlamp, blinking rear light on my bike, and carry pepper spray (it can be used on both humans and aggressive dogs). Try to always be aware of your surroundings and don't have your music up so loud that it decreases your awareness.

    I use Road ID as well, even when I take the dogs I don't always feels safe but it works quite well if you go off your normal track someone will know
  • bingo_jenn
    bingo_jenn Posts: 63 Member
    I agree with looking for a running group or buddy. If you are in the states, there are tons of "Moms Run This Town" chapters to find a running buddy. Bigger cities have Meet-up groups. Also check out the local running stores.

    Otherwise, light yourself up like a Christmas tree and carry a phone with you.
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
    Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.

    80% are under age 30

    If you're an older out of shape woman then go for it. You're probably not on the rape list. Watch out for friends and family though. They're most likely the ones after you.

    Running? Oh, just look out for cars.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    ok so i have been wanting to run/walk outside in the am before work some mornings of the week. but my husband things its a bad idea to go run or walk outside in the dark alone. so now it has me a little scared of doing it. anyone else scared of doing this in the dark to or is my husband just over reacting. he said i bought u a treadmill so you can run at home and be safe and i understand that and i use it everyday but some days when im busy at night with the kdis or have appointments id like to get up early and get my run or walk in before i start my day and my treadmill is in our bedroom were he is asleep so that is out of the question.

    Where I live I would feel comfortable walking or running alone in the morning. We live in a non-isolated low crime area and the street I would use is very well lit.

    I guess you would have to discuss compromises with your dh so you are both happy.
    Go alone but stick to an agreed route, wear reflective clothing, etc.
    Find a human walking partner in your area or get a dog.
    Make room for the treadmill somewhere else in the house.
    Tell dh to get up an hour earlier those days and join you in your walk- or sleep somewhere else if he can't sleep through you using the treadmill.
    Do a different exercise those mornings. Try a walking workout on you tube or a dvd.
    Walk around inside your own house (not on the treadmill).
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    I love running outside in the morning, but I live in a safe neighbourhood. Cars are the biggest worry, so I just make sure I'm paying attention to them. When it's full on dark, I stick close to home and avoid the park and the trails more because I'm worried about an encounter with a bear or a tree root than anything else. I carry bear spray for the bears and coyotes, wear reflective items, and just pay attention to what's around me. My husband also knows when I'm out there and knows approximately where to look for me.
  • marissafit06
    marissafit06 Posts: 1,996 Member
    edited April 2015
    I walk late at night and I always have. I find that it's calming. Assuming your area is safe, I would agree with PP about running with a reflective vest so cars can see you and maybe something that lights your path. I have fallen because I couldn't see the uneven sidewalk and it sucks when you are a couple of miles from home and have to hobble back.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    ReeseG4350 wrote: »
    Live in an old "established" neighborhood and used to go out running every morning at around a.m. Had to stop. Why? IT'S DARK OUT THERE! Sidewalks heaved up and uneven made running on the sidewalk dangerous so every body uses the street. So I ran in the street.

    Unfortunately, there are holes in the street. Some of them are fairly small but still big enough to do damage. I started taking a lot of undesired nosedives. And, when I stepped into a pothole about 15" long by four wide... foot went in, did not come out. Ripped up my foot, ankle, knee, AND hip. (And my elbows and shoulders weren't too happy either!)

    Three months' of recovery later is when I invested in a high quality, high efficiency treadmill. (Then came the rest of the equipment and a third of my basement is now a home gym.) I still run, but now it is at 4:30a.m. and it can turn on the fan while I run. I also watch movies online, read books online, and write (laptops are SO versatile!) while I do my morning miles.

    So, personally, I would not commend to anyone to run outside in the morning. But, as you can see, I have a built-in bias. Have you considered a gym? Some have very reasonable month-to-month rates and are open very early (some even 24/7). Or you could always draft hubby to run with you!
    ;-)

    I just broke my leg running and I'm still going to run outside when it heals.
    Because I despise treadmills that much.

    You can do the same amount of damage running on a treadmill as you did on the road too btw. So it's really not any safer, just more well-lit.
  • jimHofmann
    jimHofmann Posts: 6 Member
    My sister was an early-morning paper boy and so she dressed the part - looking like a boy, that is. She used a baggy male sweat suit with a hoodie and wore sneakers a dude would wear. It's a good job for getting exercise - she was a long distance runner in high school and it certainly helped her stamina and strength.
  • Supermom883
    Supermom883 Posts: 84 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
    Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.

    80% are under age 30

    If you're an older out of shape woman then go for it. You're probably not on the rape list. Watch out for friends and family though. They're most likely the ones after you.

    Running? Oh, just look out for cars.

    i am not older im under 30 lol
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
    Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.

    80% are under age 30

    If you're an older out of shape woman then go for it. You're probably not on the rape list. Watch out for friends and family though. They're most likely the ones after you.

    Running? Oh, just look out for cars.

    All types of women are raped. All types. Older women are raped, out of shape women are raped. There is no "rape list." The reason why most assaults take place at home or the home of someone close to the victim is because most women are assaulted by someone who is known to them. But this doesn't mean that we should ignore the possibility of being assaulted by someone that we don't know.
  • Supermom883
    Supermom883 Posts: 84 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
    Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.

    80% are under age 30

    If you're an older out of shape woman then go for it. You're probably not on the rape list. Watch out for friends and family though. They're most likely the ones after you.

    Running? Oh, just look out for cars.

    All types of women are raped. All types. Older women are raped, out of shape women are raped. There is no "rape list." The reason why most assaults take place at home or the home of someone close to the victim is because most women are assaulted by someone who is known to them. But this doesn't mean that we should ignore the possibility of being assaulted by someone that we don't know.

    exactly!!! anyone can get raped!! sad that people still have that mindset.
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    _Waffle_ wrote: »
    http://www.rccmsc.org/resources/get-the-facts.aspx
    Nearly 6 out of 10 sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred in their own home or at the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor.

    80% are under age 30

    If you're an older out of shape woman then go for it. You're probably not on the rape list. Watch out for friends and family though. They're most likely the ones after you.

    Running? Oh, just look out for cars.

    There is no such thing as a "rape list". It's a crime that knows no limit... age, shape... or gender.

  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    Whatever you decide to carry on your runs...

    ...just make sure you believe you me know how to use it.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Pretty sure Waffle's post is sarcasm.

    Just saying.
  • bingo_jenn
    bingo_jenn Posts: 63 Member
    stealthq wrote: »
    Pretty sure Waffle's post is sarcasm.

    Just saying.

    Even if it's sarcasm, it's incredibly inappropriate and fosters the rape culture that we are already living in. Same as the person who's teenage sister dressed like a boy to deliver papers. Boys get kidnapped and assaulted, too, not just girls.
  • Pupslice
    Pupslice Posts: 213 Member
    stealthq wrote: »
    Pretty sure Waffle's post is sarcasm.

    Just saying.

    Pretty sure it didn't come across as such.

    Just saying.
  • LoneWolfRunner
    LoneWolfRunner Posts: 1,160 Member
    You just have to read more of Waffle..
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    I walk outside in the very early mornings before work when it is still dark out. My best advice is to make sure you are visible to motorists if you are walking/running near roads or streets, and to be aware of your surroundings and people. Use caution as you should anytime.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    jofjltncb6 wrote: »
    Whatever you decide to carry on your runs...

    ...just make sure you believe you me know how to use it.

    I do..

  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    edited April 2015
    ;
  • jofjltncb6
    jofjltncb6 Posts: 34,415 Member
    You just have to read more of Waffle..

    And continue fostering the rape culture???

    :huh:



    No thanks.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited April 2015
    I haven't read all the posts. But my last walk of the day is around 8 in the pm. If they're gonna get me it will be morning afternoon or night lol

    Guns and mace etc etc are banned here. so the only thing I have are my wits...
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