personal safety while running

tiguer

Due to my schedule and commitments, I do my workouts at 5am each day. In the winter, its always indoors on the elliptical or treadmill but in the spring/summer, I move outdoors for a morning run once its light enough at 5am.

I've been noticing this week that its getting lighter at earlier and earlier times - so I plan to move outdoors starting Monday. Which brings up my concern. I live in a rural area - think wooded subdivisions with large lots, surrounded by fields and lots of deer. The homes are fairly spread out in comparison to a subdivision in a city or town. I have little concern over creepers or personal attacks of that nature. I'm worried about animals. More importantly, I'm worried about Mountain Lions. There have been numerous reports in the surrounding area lately of Mountain Lion attacks - none on people yet but they have been getting dogs - big dogs, like 200 lb great Danes.

So, if you are concerned about animals while on your workout, what do you do to protect yourself? Do you pack heat? If so, what caliber? Are there other non-lethal self protection tools that would be effective in this situation?

Please note: gun debate is not welcome, I am simply learning more about what others are doing for protection so I can make the best choice for my circumstance. I am trained and permitted to carry, so that is an option for me and part of why I am asking about it.

defenderoftheuniverse

I wouldn't run where there was mountain lions. Be safe, I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

mommysockmonkey

Good question. I don't really have an answer. I too live in a rural-ish area. We don't have mountain lions, but do have packs of coyotes. It's very disconcerting to hear them howling while I run at dawn. That being said, they aren't as big a threat as mountain lions. I've never considered running with a gun more for the weight and bulk issue than anything else. I'll be interested to see what responses you get.

Platform_Heels

You could pack while you run but it could be uncomfortable. I never have -- I also live in a very rural area -- but I have walked the dog with my pistol on my belt and it was rather heavy and cumbersome. Unless you can get something that is small (but powerful) and super light and find a holster that is conducive to running (I'm pretty sure a gun shop would be able to help you out there) I definitely would go that route.

I'd be a little wary of running early in the morning if there have been confirmed mountain lion attacks. I even get a little concerned when I run because we have a lot of bear where I live.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Where I ran, there were lots of cougars. They were mostly lonely and looking for young male companionship while their husbands were toiling away at the office with younger secretaries. I would never think of harming one.

Capt_Apollo

i'd punch the mountain lion in the face

tiguer

We have Coyotes too - and their howling is a bit nerve-wracking! However, at least you know they are there. The Mountain Lions stalk you and you usually don't know they are there until...well, its too late - that is what is scary to me!

Mountain Lion are native to the lower 48, but have largely been driven out of most areas. Our state does not recognize a breeding mountain lion population at this time, despite a lot of evidence to the contrary. These animals have a huge range - one was recently tracked from South Dakota to Connecticut! Reports have not been in my immediate area, but in nearby towns that are certainly well within their typical range of travel.

ninerbuff

Try to run where's it's safer. Less traffic, less animals, less obstacles to run into.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
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tiguer

I would never dream of hurting one either, unless threatened by it. They are protected and can only be harmed if they are threatening you.

wannaBrunnner81

Hi there. I am a Game Warden in Montana and i deal with wildlife for my career. I get asked this question in lots of ways, runners and hikers, and bikers are worried about bears and lions and moose etc. By best advice is to not run with head phones so that you can hear what is going on around you, especially if running with a companion is not an option. The next thing to consider is to buy a can of Bear Spray. Its a lot like mace or pepper spray you can buy for personal protection from people but the canister is three to four times bigger, the spray goes father and the concentraion of pepper in the can is greater. This spray will work on ay wild animal that gets too close, and in a pinch it would take down a grown man as well . The upsdie to the spray is that it is non-lethal and completely natural. So if you accidentally got sprayed yourself it wouldnt cause any permanent damage. Feel free to PM if you have more questions as this something i deal with often professinally. Good luck.

tiguer

Where I ran, there were lots of cougars. They were mostly lonely and looking for young male companionship while their husbands were toiling away at the office with younger secretaries. I would never think of harming one.

Teehee - that is really funny!

sccet

Where I ran, there were lots of cougars. They were mostly lonely and looking for young male companionship while their husbands were toiling away at the office with younger secretaries. I would never think of harming one.

Indeed. They need nurturing. Or something like that.

itodd4019

We have alligators, snakes, BIG frogs (that don't move) turtles, racoons, armadillos and the ever mean possum. We also supposedly have bobcats (never seen one) and just recently they say we have aggressive foxes.

My honey and I run before dark and into the sunrise.

I've never seen an animal do anythin but run away. Except a possum! They will stand off- we go around.

But- due to feeling skidish we run in the middle of the road, snakes hang in the grassy edges (in my mind anyway)

Oh, and Gidget always wears her i-phone with the light going forward, so they see us coming for sure.


WE, and you, are lucky!

Enjoy it!

sheepysaccount

You could bring pepper spray. Where I live it's actually only legal to use against animals, not humans...

tiguer

The next thing to consider is to buy a can of Bear Spray. Its a lot like mace or pepper spray you can buy for personal protection from people but the canister is three to four times bigger, the spray goes father and the concentraion of pepper in the can is greater. This spray will work on ay wild animal that gets too close, and in a pinch it would take down a grown man as well . The upsdie to the spray is that it is non-lethal and completely natural.

Awesome idea!!!! Thanks!

stealthq

Have to say, not running where there be mountain lions would be my advice. Mountain lions hunt by ambushing their prey - unlikely you'd even know it's there before it's on you, so anything you'd carry would likely be pretty useless.

That said, if you're going to run in that area anyway, handguns aren't a good weapon against an animal, unless you're thinking of scaring it off with the sound of the shot. It takes a lot of skill to hit something moving as fast as it would be if it were charging you, something you probably won't have when you're surprised even you're usually Dead-Eye **** at the range. If it were me, and it's legal in your area, I'd carry one of those telescoping metal batons. They're fairly light, easy to carry, and take little skill to use.

Keiras_Mom

I have a tazer that's a little less bulky than a firearm, though it's still added weight and a bit cumbersome. I keep that with me at all times. I suspect it would get a mountain lion to think twice about a second attempt at making me lunch.

I'm thinking if you were going to carry a firearm, caliber wouldn't really matter too much. It would be more about your confidence and familiarity with the weapon, and how you're carrying it, the speed with which you could draw and fire, etc. (I'm in the process of getting my CCW, so these are considerations I'm currently contemplating, but for urban protection.)

stealthq

The next thing to consider is to buy a can of Bear Spray. Its a lot like mace or pepper spray you can buy for personal protection from people but the canister is three to four times bigger, the spray goes father and the concentraion of pepper in the can is greater. This spray will work on ay wild animal that gets too close, and in a pinch it would take down a grown man as well . The upsdie to the spray is that it is non-lethal and completely natural.

Awesome idea!!!! Thanks!

And the downside is, if it blows back at you, you will be incapacitated and the lion will not. Be very careful to check the prevailing breeze before using a defensive spray.

amberlykay1014

I would second the bear spray, but the down side to that is the canister size. It's going to be cumbersome for running. If you are thinking of packing heat, my husband suggests a small handgun like the S&W Bodyguard 380. It's literally the size of his palm and would be light and discreet. Good luck!

wnt2bhlthy4me

I run sometimes at night outside too. I don't have to worry about wild animals, just dogs and people. I don't live in the best neighbor. I always run packing heat. I am trained and have my permit to carry also. I carry a SR9C on my hip secured by one of those gold's gym belly sweat band thingys. It has never been too heavy or bulky for me. Maybe because I started running with it and I've just got used to it. I feel more safer carrying my firearm than I would anything else. Just my preference. Good luck and be safe!

parkscs

If you decide to carry, they make bellyband holsters that would probably be more comfortable than a belt holster. There are also fanny packs as well. How fast you can draw from one of those holsters is a potential issue (and largely comes down to practice), but that's an issue for any spray or weapon - especially against a large predatory cat.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Spray? Pffft. Kick that bear in the nuts

amberlykay1014

I would second the bear spray, but the down side to that is the canister size. It's going to be cumbersome for running. If you are thinking of packing heat, my husband suggests a small handgun like the Bodyguard. It's literally the size of his palm and would be light and discreet. Good luck!

Bodyguard is great against hypothetical muggers, but I sure wouldn't want to use a .380 against a mountain lion. Better than a rock though.

You could be right. Luckily, we've never had to use it. We are backpackers and opt for the lightest weight gear when we can. It's certainly better than a rock.. haha.

Josalinn

....nm thunder stolen. I second/third/whatever the bear spray.

djprice_69

Where I ran, there were lots of cougars. They were mostly lonely and looking for young male companionship while their husbands were toiling away at the office with younger secretaries. I would never think of harming one.

This cracked me up!

In all honesty, you're not going to be able to do much in terms of personal safety if you continue to run outside in an area that has mountain lions. Even if you carried a pistol with you, odds are you'll not know there is a mountain lion nearby until it is too late. Mountain lions do typically hunt from dusk till dawn, and they're abilities to sneak up on prey is almost unparalleled.

If you insist on running that early get a good sized dog like the Dogo Argentino to run with you, and personally I'd carry a gun, too. (Though you'll likely not to be able to aim worth a darn if you're fatigued by running then suddenly with adrenaline pumping.) A lone mountain lion is not likely to go after two targets at once, but a good loyal dog would give its life to protect yours. Just search "Dogo saves girl from mountain lion" and you'll see why I recommend this specific breed.

In short, I just wouldn't recommend running at that hour when you know that mountain lions are in the area at that specific time. Late morning until early evening would be the safest time to run outdoors if you still choose to do so.

prattiger65

I agree that a gun really isn't practical against an animal attack, whether it be mountain lion, dog .....etc. Too fast and accuracy is paramount. I think about the best you can do is pepper spray of some sort. I would think a tazer would probably not work on a hungry large cat, they would already be very close to use it. Tough situation. Good luck!

missdibs1

A mountain Lion is a predator attracted by motion. The are stealthy in their attacks. I do not think a gun would help.

Cant you run in town? Highschool track?

There must be somewhere safer.

parkscs

I don't know, I'm having a hard time seeing how retrieving a large can of bear spray, making sure it's oriented in the right direction and then spraying it at the attacking cat is going to be any faster than drawing a pistol. It would largely depend on how you carry the spray can, but these usually are pretty sizable containers and they aren't as intuitive to orient/draw as a pistol. This is particularly true if you have some practice/training with your pistol. If you really are worried about attacks and have to run in this area, dog + gun seems like the best answer to me.

NorthCountryDreamer

If a dog or big cat is your concern then I wouldn't hesitate to conceal and carry. A quick front draw belly band holster is key. Bullets can weigh a lot. Decide on more than just weight and size. Luger and other such models have designs that are smooth and conceal and carry well. If I felt unsafe due to a black bear or dog pack for example, I would use a 9mm though .45 caliber has more impact. Actually a .22 is better than not carrying anything. Spray might work.

I run with an asp. It is a collapsable club that police use. I prefer this over spray since my club never expires or malfunctions. The other factor is that the weapon of choice gives you a feeling of security and confidence. That is worth something even if you never need it.

Guns present a liability. Also, if you wear a gun while running then sweat can affect your gun. Keep is clean, oiled and free of rust. If you decide to actually carry it then you should practice using it often. That means more than firing it. Assemble, disassemble, clear a jam, cleaning, changing magazines, drawing and holstering your gun. Practice aiming, site picture and breathing over and over. The consistent practice will give you confidence, accuracy, safety and ultimately/possibly save your life. I have heard that mountain lions will ambush its prey so drawing on a critter lunging at the back of your head is a challenge. Good luck.

JoRocka

Concealed carry or dog (s).

Ran/rode quiet a bit in rural California- cougar came in at some point and even attacked one of our horses- not sure if the horse did a good job defending- or the 3 airdales but other than that never had issues with them attack us while riding or running.

Be attentive- make sure people know where you are going and when you will be back.

likitisplit

In the stories I've read of mountain lion attacks, the person is unaware of the attack until the cat hits them. I hope you're PMing the ranger.