Female runners and safety

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  • lydia_the_tattooed_lady
    lydia_the_tattooed_lady Posts: 324 Member
    :noway: :noway: :noway: I'm waaaaay more freaked out by the fact that people go running with guns on them than the fact that I go running with no weapons on me at all. I've dropped my keys and my phone by accident on runs before....what if you dropped your gun??? Accidents happen. Those shorts look like you can blow your butt cheek off.....:huh:

    I've logged HUNDREDs of miles in the last year training for a marathon and triathlons. I've never dropped anything. you should get checked by a doctor for a brain tumor or carpal tunnel syndrome


    Nah I'm pretty sure I'm just clumsy. And you're an A-hole. I'm honestly freaked out that people run with guns on them. If I come around a corner and surprise some idiot with a gun, I may possibly get shot. I don't live my life paranoid that everyone's out to get me simply because I'm a woman. I want to be as capable as a man at fending off creepers---without stupid guns.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    Nah I'm pretty sure I'm just clumsy. And you're an A-hole. I'm honestly freaked out that people run with guns on them. If I come around a corner and surprise some idiot with a gun, I may possibly get shot. I don't live my life paranoid that everyone's out to get me simply because I'm a woman. I want to be as capable as a man at fending off creepers---without stupid guns.

    You want to be capable but not be paranoid? Vigilance is like the most important thing...

    You're at more danger of being hit by a car than of getting shot by someone jogging strapped.
  • lydia_the_tattooed_lady
    lydia_the_tattooed_lady Posts: 324 Member
    And FYI I live in one of the most dangerous cities in America: St. Louis. I don't run on trails, I run in neighborhoods where the neighbors know who I am and I am always clearly visible. I'm always within about 20 feet of somebody's front door if I need to run for help. Honestly, I think the chances are a lot higher that you'll be hit by a car than some mysterious evil creeper will get you.
  • SusanleeBee
    SusanleeBee Posts: 144 Member
    I figure that I'm fat enough that if I just sit down, there's not a lot they can do besides kill me. ;p

    Really though, I take my dog and a scalpel.
  • mikeatmichael
    mikeatmichael Posts: 92 Member
    qt
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    And FYI I live in one of the most dangerous cities in America: St. Louis. I don't run on trails, I run in neighborhoods where the neighbors know who I am and I am always clearly visible. I'm always within about 20 feet of somebody's front door if I need to run for help. Honestly, I think the chances are a lot higher that you'll be hit by a car than some mysterious evil creeper will get you.

    Glad to know you've solved the issue so easily. Clearly everyone else is just dumb and shouldn't prepare.
  • mikeatmichael
    mikeatmichael Posts: 92 Member
    :noway: :noway: :noway: I'm waaaaay more freaked out by the fact that people go running with guns on them than the fact that I go running with no weapons on me at all. I've dropped my keys and my phone by accident on runs before....what if you dropped your gun??? Accidents happen. Those shorts look like you can blow your butt cheek off.....:huh:



    I'm honestly freaked out that people run with guns on them. If I come around a corner and surprise some idiot with a gun, I may possibly get shot. I don't live my life paranoid that everyone's out to get me simply because I'm a woman. I want to be as capable as a man at fending off creepers---without stupid guns.

    You do realize that what you say reflects more on you than on those who choose to carry. If you feel that way you're making a wise choice in not arming yourself. Those of us who lawfully carry firearms understand the huge responsibility that imposes as well as the legal and civil liabilities for misuse. I'm a 6'2" 190 lb. male in good shape with military and martial arts training. I'm a 55 yo professional and have never been in a fight or involved with the police (other than socially) in my adult life. I shoot regularly at a range because I enjoy it. I don't choose to carry a firearm because I'm paranoid or afraid but because I feel responsible for my own safety and that of my family. I realize that sometimes bad things happen to good people at unexpected times through no fault of their own. I understand that I'm not a police officer and have no moral or legal obligation to protect others, including you. The "idiots with a gun" are those who are carrying illegally and they are around no matter what the laws.

    Oh, and guns aren't "stupid", they're inanimate objects.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    A woman I know who carried a gun was in probably deeper than she planned when the man took her gun away from her and used it to beat her and rape her. She was left nude and beaten in the woods 50 miles away from where she was abducted.


    Guns aren't any good if the bad guy gets them away from you. Those of you carrying in the back of your pants, or a holster - how do keep someone from coming up behind you and grabbing your weapon? Seems it would only be useful if the guy accosts you from the front and you have time to pull out the gun...which, really, that's not going to happen in an abduction.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Or, you know - you could try running somewhere that you felt safe, instead. :huh:

    Feeling safe does not equate to being safe.

    No where is it perfectly safe - **** can happen anywhere. But you can choose places that are relatively safe, instead of places that are most likely NOT.

    She can? How do you know where she lives? Oh right you don't know. Ill tell you this. I drive 15 miles to run on bike trail when I train for marathons because retarded drivers scare me. And when I do long runs I don't like dealing with drivers. Let me explain something to you. Its an old Rail to Trail path and it literally curves through the back woods of Iowa. Ive seen all sorts of animals on this trail from chipmunks to aggressive dogs, coyotes, deer and Livestock (Sheep, Cattle) Oh you think. Deer and sheep no big deal. Have you ever startled a deer and had it attack? You are in their environment. One day I happened on a broken fence with sheep all across the trail. Im a farm kid I begin working my way through the sheep and then I saw the RAM. you ever been chased by a big ram? Those are the easy ones. Do you know where Meth makers make their product. The smart ones avoid using their homes. They find Secluded areas deep on paths that are hard to get to way far away the perfect place is running trails. Minimal exposure only foot and bike traffic. Do you know how far a long run is? Well the really secluded runs had me going 7-9 miles in and then turning around and going back. The walkers don't get out that far usually and the most runners don't either. The only ones out there are the cyclists the marathoners and the meth heads. Don't begin to think you know better than anyone of us. Fine, you are scared of guns don't use one. Your country doesn't allow them. How could you even begin to think you know more about a gun then any of us that carry them? You think they are scary and it scares you that we have them. Good. Stay away from us that way I don't have to waste ammo its hard to find these days.

    to all the "I live in *blank* and I cant imagine how horrible it must be to live in fear to go for a run" crowd. We dont live in fear we are trained gun owners. :) BTW ask the women in your country who have been raped on run morning noon or night ..."if they could go back in time and carry a pistol if they would choose to do that or just let them selves get raped?"

    For someone who is saying do not presume to know better than any of you, perhaps you should do the same. I read these topics frequently. I generally stay out of the argument. I understand that we come from different cultures and have different views on situations.

    I feel the same way as the person you are addressing, however I am not afraid of guns. I am trained to handle and am very comfortable with handling, using and carrying a gun but I still do not want to carry one while I am running or even day to day. People seem to assume that those who don't wish to carry, don't agree with carrying are afraid of guns. It's not always the case.

    A gun is not necessarily the perfect defence. There are still issues. Just like I warn people about pepper spray and other weapons. There is nothing more dangerous than a false sense of security. If you are goin to carry a weapon, know how to use, be prepared to use it and know the limitations.
  • mikeatmichael
    mikeatmichael Posts: 92 Member

    A gun is not necessarily the perfect defence. There are still issues. Just like I warn people about pepper spray and other weapons. There is nothing more dangerous than a false sense of security. If you are goin to carry a weapon, know how to use, be prepared to use it and know the limitations.

    Exactly
  • RunForChai
    RunForChai Posts: 238 Member
    Hi,
    I've run thousands of miles on wooded trails---met a mountain lion and some wild boars-but mostly I was safe.

    Here's what I suggest:

    1) Run with a buddy or have someone ride a bike with you.
    2) Always leave a note or tell someone where you are
    3) Run with a phone [but check that it will work where you are going]
    4) I don't like ---and have never run with a weapon----any weapon can be turned against you. For example, after being sprayed with pepper spray by accident I was out of commission and in so much pain I couldn't have fought anything or anyone.
    5) Borrow a good running dog.

    Join a running club if you don't know anyone who can run with you.

    Enjoy!
  • themelmac
    themelmac Posts: 59 Member
    A suggestion I got was to install an app that tracks your run via GPS - usually used for tracking mileage, speed, etc. - but it also shows location.

    Give your login info in to your significant other or other friend/family member and they can track your run.

    Beyond the crime aspect, you could also trip and knock yourself unconscious, and this shows where you are.
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    Miss... miss... you dropped your... *BAM*

    and so ends the life of a "crazy stalker dude" who turned out to be a guy just trying to give a female jogger the key she dropped on her last lap around the block.

    * * * * *

    I have been scared running before... terrified once, actually... but I cannot carry a weapon legally... and even if I could, I would not. I have come to realize that I can be attacked at any time, any place, by any one... and for goodness sake, I REFUSE to live in fear. I will continue to run, I will continue to listen to my music while running, and I will continue to take my path along the river road that can be secluded at times.

    I do carry my phone, and choose to have some faith that it will work out in the end.

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