Runners safety

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Replies

  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I started running about 3 weeks ago and decided to go running in a public park early evening where its just starting to get dark. The park was full of runners and dog walkers, after my second lap I decided to go for another lap, half way through I realised how dark it was and with loud music in my headphones didn't realise how quiet it was. I looked around and behind me and realised there was no one around, I had a strong instinct to turn round and I could just about make out a black shadow, it looked like someone in a black hoodie.

    My heart skipped a beat, I ran as fast as I could to the car park, running and turning round to make sure I wasn't being followed. Eventually I got to a point where I felt safe and was close to the car park where some people were. I will never forget that day, I don't even think about what could of happened.

    This gave me chills.
  • jeffrodgers1
    jeffrodgers1 Posts: 991 Member
    Not much time to dig up my notes that I talk about in my running clinic... but here are a few things that usually suggest.

    Unless you are properly trained, a weapon is pointless. More people are injured by their own weapons than there are actually used against criminals. Your best weapon in any situation is your mind.

    Be aware of your environment and stick to familiar surroundings.

    Listen to your senses... if something seems wrong... chances are it is.

    Use the buddy system. Not only does it make the run more enjoyable, it offers significant protection. Criminals always pick the low hanging fruit. Not as easy to rob 2 or 3 people or for that matter 7 or 8 people.

    Always let people know where you are planning on going, what route you will be using and when you will be back.

    Run in well lit/well populated areas with appropriate clothing and lighting. I wear a headlamp when it is dark. I also have a jacket with LED lights in the seams. People can spot me from a long ways away.

    Visibility means not only seeing your environment but being seen in your environment. Just because you can see a car, doesn't mean it can see you.

    Always carry a cell phone.

    Always carry some form of identification. I use a road id on a neck chain, and have attached a shoe pod that holds a second one. Don't bet on one form of ID being sufficient either. Many runners have been knocked out of a running shoe, or had clothing torn away in an accident or attack.

    Always carry what is called "throw away money". Most assailants are after money. Carry a small amount of change and small bills that you can fling in their face to disorient them. Run away.

    Throwaway money can also count as bus fare or cab fare.

    Eye contact. Smile and acknowledge people as you are running. It lets people know you are aware of them. Confidence is a great dissauder. If you were a bad guy... would you rob someone who was already afraid or someone who is confident?

    Carry a noise maker/panic alarm. Have a friend who has a 130 Db screech alarm. Pulling the pin results in a deafening screech that can be heard for miles. It hurts the ears and could quite easily startle an assailant.

    Anyways... just a few.

    Hope they help someone.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
    I hope you are able to control the dog, at least. Training an akita to defend you if you can't hol dit back in case of mistaken aggression against you could be a very bad thing.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
    I hope you are able to control the dog, at least. Training an akita to defend you if you can't hol dit back in case of mistaken aggression against you could be a very bad thing.

    I'm not worried about him. He's ridiculously well behaved, and is fine unless someone were to aggressively attack me, and obeys all his commands very well (including those that would call him off someone). I'm also not worried about my strength/ability to hold him back if need be.

    PS He was professionally trained...I don't want anyone to think that I just purchased a dog and told it to go attack people. :frown:
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
    I hope you are able to control the dog, at least. Training an akita to defend you if you can't hol dit back in case of mistaken aggression against you could be a very bad thing.

    I'm not worried about him. He's ridiculously well behaved, and is fine unless someone were to aggressively attack me, and obeys all his commands very well (including those that would call him off someone). I'm also not worried about my strength/ability to hold him back if need be.

    PS He was professionally trained...I don't want anyone to think that I just purchased a dog and told it to go attack people. :frown:
    I didn't think that. I just know that dogs trained for defense, police work, whatever are basically weapons and that they are VERY strong. I just hate to see an animal have to be put down or something for just doing what it thinks is right. :-)
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
    I hope you are able to control the dog, at least. Training an akita to defend you if you can't hol dit back in case of mistaken aggression against you could be a very bad thing.

    I'm not worried about him. He's ridiculously well behaved, and is fine unless someone were to aggressively attack me, and obeys all his commands very well (including those that would call him off someone). I'm also not worried about my strength/ability to hold him back if need be.

    PS He was professionally trained...I don't want anyone to think that I just purchased a dog and told it to go attack people. :frown:
    I didn't think that. I just know that dogs trained for defense, police work, whatever are basically weapons and that they are VERY strong. I just hate to see an animal have to be put down or something for just doing what it thinks is right. :-)

    I appreciate the thought, and yes I am aware that you have to be careful with them. I would never take him running with me if I didn't think I could control him, and if he were to EVER show a sign of unwarranted aggression or prove that he can't handle running with me, he'll stay at home and I'll go back to running our neighborhood by myself. FWIW, his old owner took him running/biking with him at parks all the time, and the dog has always behaved like a gentleman.
  • teresamwhite
    teresamwhite Posts: 947 Member
    I carry a taser when I run alone, or with my daughter. It looks like a pink cell phone. It also hurts like hell.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Right now I only run on our neighborhood culdesac or at the local (very busy) park. However, we just purchased an Akita who is trained for self-defense, and he's going to be my running buddy so that I can hit some of the trails I've been wanting to run. I also carry a small knife with me when I run, and always have my cell phone. I am also probably going to upgrade my Runkeeper so that I can broadcast live...if I weren't to return home, my parents could see the GPS tracking.
    I hope you are able to control the dog, at least. Training an akita to defend you if you can't hol dit back in case of mistaken aggression against you could be a very bad thing.

    I'm not worried about him. He's ridiculously well behaved, and is fine unless someone were to aggressively attack me, and obeys all his commands very well (including those that would call him off someone). I'm also not worried about my strength/ability to hold him back if need be.

    PS He was professionally trained...I don't want anyone to think that I just purchased a dog and told it to go attack people. :frown:
    I didn't think that. I just know that dogs trained for defense, police work, whatever are basically weapons and that they are VERY strong. I just hate to see an animal have to be put down or something for just doing what it thinks is right. :-)

    I appreciate the thought, and yes I am aware that you have to be careful with them. I would never take him running with me if I didn't think I could control him, and if he were to EVER show a sign of unwarranted aggression or prove that he can't handle running with me, he'll stay at home and I'll go back to running our neighborhood by myself. FWIW, his old owner took him running/biking with him at parks all the time, and the dog has always behaved like a gentleman.

    :smile:

    Sorry to bug. It's just one of those subjects I'm passionate about. I get a little touchy.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    SNIP

    I appreciate the thought, and yes I am aware that you have to be careful with them. I would never take him running with me if I didn't think I could control him, and if he were to EVER show a sign of unwarranted aggression or prove that he can't handle running with me, he'll stay at home and I'll go back to running our neighborhood by myself. FWIW, his old owner took him running/biking with him at parks all the time, and the dog has always behaved like a gentleman.

    :smile:

    Sorry to bug. It's just one of those subjects I'm passionate about. I get a little touchy.

    It's okay, I always know I'm taking a chance posting anything animal related (or sometimes, anything at all!) in the forums. But, I've had large animals my whole life (cows, horses, dogs, etc) so I know what it's like to keep a hold of a large animal, even one who is freaked out/out of control/upset/nervous/etc. Definitely not a new dog owner. :)
  • jenniferjeanne84
    jenniferjeanne84 Posts: 17 Member
    I live in a very remote area. My concern is not so much people as wildlife and stray dogs.

    I run with dog spray andI make sure my Ipod is low enough I can hear wildlife/people around me and I am constantly on the lookout.
  • cwsikes
    cwsikes Posts: 86
    I go out, I run, and I attempt to be the most aware I can be. If it's dark, I make sure I run where there are street lights and wear reflective clothes and blinkies so hopefully people see me. My husband also knows my routes and when to expect me. Other than that, I take my chances. I figure I'm more likely to die from a car accident or some kind of disease so I'll take my chances with the rapists and serial killers targeting runners.

    Edit: I also live about 10 minutes from the park where this happened.
  • AisforAmazing19
    AisforAmazing19 Posts: 68
    I go out, I run, and I attempt to be the most aware I can be. If it's dark, I make sure I run where there are street lights and wear reflective clothes and blinkies so hopefully people see me. My husband also knows my routes and when to expect me. Other than that, I take my chances. I figure I'm more likely to die from a car accident or some kind of disease so I'll take my chances with the rapists and serial killers targeting runners.

    Exactly.
  • kathystrauss1
    kathystrauss1 Posts: 142 Member
    I am just starting to run again and I really like trails the most. I usually have at least one of my dogs with me and I am always armed. Carrying a firearm isn't for everyone but it makes me feel more secure.
  • Kristine_7707
    Kristine_7707 Posts: 28
    I have my license to carry
  • sarrah_n
    sarrah_n Posts: 192 Member
    An additional safety measure that is SUPER easy to run with:
    http://www.safetygirl.com/pepper-spray-joggers/fury-personal-carry-series-pepper-spray-jogger-with-velcro-75oz.html
  • davemunger
    davemunger Posts: 1,139 Member
    Women are right to be concerned about the potential dangers of running alone in the dark. I wrote up an article with some thumbnail calculations of the dangers of running. Here's the MFP forum on the article:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1123182-some-statistics-about-running-and-safety-from-crime

    And here's a direct link to my article:

    http://sciencebasedrunning.com/2013/10/are-runners-likely-to-be-targets-of-violent-crime/
  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    While I don't think you can prepare for all situations, but there is such a thing as running sensibly.

    I do not run on the trails unless it's daylight - it's a highly traveled path, so I feel safe knowing someone is always nearby
    I run in the AM (often dark) and stick to my neighborhood, frequented by others (dog walkers, fellow runners)
    I wear reflective clothing/vest
    I wear an ID tag on my shoe with ICE Contacts
    I carry my phone on me
    When I travel for work I speak to the front desk/take account of the area to determine if I will run through the area near the hotel or if I just hit up the TM
    I do run with music, but I'm careful about the volume.
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    When some guy tried to pull me in his car while I was running (decades ago), I was not doing some of these things, so it's interesting to hear them.

    --I was running early in the AM with little traffic/no known witnesses and bad light.
    --I did have the exact same route and schedule every morning.


    I didn't expect a car to pull over where he pulled over, which was sort of dumb. A kidnapper/rapist isn't going to only stop at intersections, lol. So be more aware of cars than you already are in the sense that a true danger may do something sudden and unexpected.

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