Do you run alone?

mrsbastone

I have really started enjoying running this year. There are only a few people I know that actually run at all. While doing a normal run outside I have no problems running by myself. However, I would like to start trail running. The only time I can do it is when my kids are in school,which makes all of my friends unavailable. So is it unsafe to go trail running by myself?
Another event I wish to have somebody is a 6k at night with a Halloween theme. This seems to be a fun race that would be nice to have sombody to do it with. Would you run it alone?

_JR_

I've always run alone, but being a guy, I don't worry about personal safety quite as much as a woman should. Trails can be fabulous, as the riff-raff tend to not use them, but that's not to say you wouldn't cross paths with a psycho who happens to be into fitness.

My recommendations is to carry a small can of pepper spray. Works well with stray dogs, and other predatory critters.

ETA: Night time races can be a lot of fun, especially if people are lit up with crazy lights and costumes. Look into running clubs in your community, where you could possibly find a running partner.

nphect

i dunno you always hear about runners being abducted in the park

determined136

I run alone...all the time....day, night, morning. I do take precautions and I would not go anywhere that is secluded.

I wish I were closer....I would go with you!

wildapril

I run alone on a four-mile loop near my house. Nobody but me and the cars!

amy4586

I run alone on a trail. I carry pepper spray- mostly for bears but I would use it on a person if need be :-)

LaurySch

I use to run alone quite a bit, but wanted a bit more encouragement for training for longer distances. I basically googled running clubs in my area and got in touch with a nice group of people! They have a few different times during the week that they get together and only saturday morning works for me, but it's been great for me. I still do run by myself the rest of the week, but I don't do trails. And as soon as there is another night time run in my area I am signing up!!

MoreBean13

I kind of hate running with other people- I'll do it to get a friend started or go with a friend through their first race or something, but my running time is "Me" time. I don't want to conversate, and I feel like one person is always going to be holding the other back- and it sucks to be the holder and the holdee.

I guess safety depends on your area, but always try to run in daylight or well lit areas, carry a cell phone, let someone else know your route ahead of time, carry ID, and pepper spray (or similar personal protection) if you feel it's appropriate. Safety first, but I don't think you MUST have a partner to be safe.

AddieOverhaul

There is a park with running trails near my house and a woman runner was murderedin there, others have been assaulted. I never go alone. My best friend and i run in there but always bring her very large dog with us.

dahkneeka

I just started running, but am often held back because I wont go alone. One reason being creeps, 2nd is I can feel awkward, like everyone is watching which makes me tend to over think things and run goofy.

brandyk77

sometimes I run by myself on trails or at night. I just try to be smart. I am aware of my surroundings, wear reflective clothes, stick where there is some light and I feel safe, etc.

rciszek

I run alone and have done it on a trail as well. Lately though, since I run real early in the morning I don't run alone because technically my dog is my coach and comes with me. I have done it alone before too, but it is usually during the day or late afternoon. I find it more peaceful to do it alone.

Pedal_Pusher

I run / ride alone all the time........

CrisAlex

I prefer to run alone, but as MoreBean13 says, safety is also important. That being said, I like the trail too, but I only go there during the weekend afternoons when there are lots of people around. Otherwise, I take the main streets or just hit the treadmill at my university's gym.

brennsie

Personally, I run alone. I like it better because then I can go at my own pace and don't feel pressured to keep up with the others or slow down to accommodate everyone. If you are going running by yourself (especially when its darker out), keep pepper spray at hand. Better safe than sorry!

mbajrami

I find that I run better when I am alone. When I run with my sister I don't wear headphones and when we're not chatting, I find it pretty boring.

I run either around my neighborhood or a park close to my boyfriend's house when I stay over there. I've been running before the sun comes up and don't take any issue with it. It's peaceful...besides the music in my ears. :-)

Kekibird

Out of five days a week, I run 4 of them alone. I like it better although it's a nice change to have someone challenge me and push me. Otherwise, I like my earbuds in and my music as my partner.

microwoman999

Yea all the time. I never had anyone that could really run with me but I don't mind and I go in the park by myself too never really worry about it. Then again I have not really heard of anyone getting hurt around my area where I run.

speedyf

I also run alone, always! When I go trail running, I leave my mp3 at home, and just enjoy the moment in the wood! That way, I also make sure I'm conscience of everything that is going on around me. But I take a whistle with me, just in case, and pepper spray in my fuel belt. Not that I ever encountered anybody suspicious while running in the woods, but you never know... I've came across weirder people in the streets, passing me by in cars, than I saw suspicious people in the woods!

shoneybabes

I run alone, in the woods and in the dark at 8pm at night during the darker days. I however recommend not listening to music and not being far from civilisation. I have on many occasion cut my run short as I have felt uncomfortable and slightly freaked. This is sensible, trust your instincts and go for it. Daylight trail running I have no issues at all. Although I do have a personal alarm and I always take a phone. Hill running I find that there is never anyone about and if there are then its likely to be walkers. You don't get many rapist/murders driving a few hours and wondering the hills looking for a target. And most of these types of creeps are impulsive types or opportunists. If you are scared that someone is following you. Stop running and turn and face them. Talk to them or make a phone call (very loudly) and be very clear that you are unsettled. If you not happy then don't do it.

I have been lucky so far and I rarely run with folk

Sabine_Stroehm

I run week days alone, and weekends with my husband. Usually Sunday mornings for our "long run".
Some mornings I run before sun up. On those days I stay a little more "public", but the rest of the time I just run the neighborhoods.
Today I ran .75 miles to the local HS, then 1.5 miles around the track barefoot (there were 3 other women there) then 1 mile back home.
All before the sun came up.

kingkoopaluv

during the day id say youre fine, id love to be able to run during the day, Im a night runner and i get scared sometimes.

spangey13

Yes. But also no. I run with my dog. And not anyone else. I run with my dog because I feel safer with her.

Although, if I am going alone (without dog), for a distance I will map out my run on the computer and leave it open. I figure, at least if I don't come back someone will know my intended path and where to start looking for me!

belladonna786

when I did run I ran with my husband

sevsmom

I'm a solo runner. I don't run the same routes at the same times ever. I try to stay alert. And, I wouldn't knowingly go running in an area with "problems" so to speak. My hubby wants me to carry pepper spray, but I can see someone turning it on me! I may be naive, but I never feel scared by myself.

love22step

I run alone, but on farm roads, not trails. I wouldn't be afraid to run the Halloween race "alone," because there should be plenty of other people running with you. I carry a cell phone when I run, in case I'm injured or have a heart attack. We're always at risk of something. You have to weigh the risk against the gain. What is your husband's advice? That's a good place to start. God bless you!

happypath101

I run alone in trails all the time. I sometimes worry about my safety, but I try not to let fear direct me.

Having said that, I NEVER put any earbuds in or use headphones or anything. I heard a policeman talk about this once, and it really stuck. You can't prevent everything, of course, but if you can hear what's going on around you, you'll be so much safer than if you're zoned out listening to your tunes.

Apparently, the creepos will target someone listening to music; it's easier to surprise them. You're also supposed to pin your pony down so that they can't grab you by it. Actually, we have a warning on a local trail to female joggers to wear a hat. There are owls that are swooping down and grabbing ponytails thinking it's a squirell. I bet you didn't know to worry about that, eh? :O)

MorganLeighRN

I run with my dog. There are some creepy people on the trails and I feel much more comfortable with my beast No one really bugs us because he is sooooo big.

If you do run alone, make sure that you tell people where you are going, carry your cell with you, and you may want to carry pepper spray as well.

SomeoneSomeplace

I live in a really bad neighborhood. I don't really even think about it anymore because I've been here my whole life. But I *ALWAYS* run alone and sometimes it's after dark & I've personally never had issues. I bring my IPOD strap it to my arm and just shut out the rest of the world. I LOVE running alone! I don't think it's dangerous at all, personally where I live is VERY populated and busy even late at night and I run on a main road so I'm never really alone so if I were to have an asthma attack or something there would be medical help available. But I always bring my cell phone just in case of an emergency plus I used it to track my runs. I'm honestly used to be around my neighborhood at night s it doesn't scare me but I could see how it might scare some people. I love street running I find it way more fun and if you need to go to the bathroom on a long run you can just pop into store and use the restroom haha

TrixieMarie

I kind of do both. My running partner and I meet in the morning and we run some predetermined course. I am a little faster than her so I just go. Then when I get done, I circle a block or something until she catches up and we walk home together. I think it's the best of both worlds. I use to be nervous when we first started and it was dark , but I just remind myself all the serial killers are still in bed cuz it's 6 am.

iluvprettyshoes

yeah but I carry mace