Female runners and safety

UpEarly

I've been hiking and running trails by myself since I was a teenager (I'm 41 now). I used to carry a whistle and emergency supplies (first aid, space blanket, a little food, etc). Now I carry a cellphone instead of the whistle, but still carry everything else. I don't carry any weapons or equipment for protection. I always let someone know where I went and when I plan on being back.

MaeRenee94

I always tell people where I am going and my expected time back. I carry a tazer and wear my hair in either a bun or hat, less likely to attract bad guys as pulling you down by your hair is an easy target.

MassiveDelta

I bring my black German Shepherd, and my phone. I always tell people where I am going and about how long I will be gone.

Cause black is scarier right?

Justkeepswimmin

I bring my black German Shepherd, and my phone. I always tell people where I am going and about how long I will be gone.

Cause black is scarier right?

When it comes to fur getting on your clothes, yes

My dog is a mutt and useless running, he'll hide behind me if he sees a bunny.

GiddyupTim

Maybe I watch too much CSI and Criminal Minds, etc. but I think people are being far too cavalier about running and safety.

I agree. I hate the stupid jokes in these threads. A friend of mine was pulled off trail, raped, beaten and left for dead. That *kitten*'s not funny. These are serious questions, and some answers could save lives.

I did not even think about my pony tail being used against me. Glad I braved the stupid comments to keep reading.

Thank you. This is not a topic to make jokes about. If she is running in a secluded place, she could be in danger and she is asking for advice. How would you feel about your joke two weeks from now if . . . .
I am no expert but I would say: no headphones, pepper spray, and a cell phone would all be good.

AllonsYtotheTardis

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.

LisaMBudd

Maybe I watch too much CSI and Criminal Minds, etc. but I think people are being far too cavalier about running and safety.

Find someone to go with you, take some pepper spray, bring a dog, tell someone exactly when you're getting there and when you're leaving and/or go during the day so you can see anyone approaching.


This and don't wear headphones - make sure you can hear what is going on around you.

dbanks80

I usually have my cell phone. I am waiting for my Samoyed puppy to get full grown then i will be running with her.

Heather4275

OMG, I am really shocked, guns, mace, pepper sprays to go for a run!!! I find it very sad that the majority of people that have responded to this thread feel the need to take some kind of protection with them to go out for a run. I live in Scotland and it feels like I live on a different planet.

IDontLikeRegistering

Reasonable point. It's hard not to mock when there are so many folks suggesting that what the world needs is MORE nutters running about with guns, but safety is a genuine issue. Do you HAVE to run in the dark rapey woods? Light and people prevent far more crime than weapons and weaponised dogs.

Jonesie1984

People who are responsible gun owners with permits are rarely the ones you need to be concerned about. You wouldn't know the person with a permit was carrying if they didn't need it. I guess it depends on location. I'm a Californian but everyone in my family owns guns, and my friends as well. It's not a big deal as long as the owner is responsible.

You guys own guns, in CA? How much paperwork did that take! ?

INSANE AMOUNTS! LOL But when you finally get one they know you're more than qualified to own it lol

pangy1958

Wow sounds dangerous where you guys run!
I'm glad I live in the UK, don't need to worry about guns or weapons. Nobody is about at half 5 in the am anyway lol

So the UK is violent crime free? That's awesome.

It isn't crime free, but we can't carry guns , pepper spray, knives or stun guns they are all illigal which is a good thing. We just get on with it here.

littlepinkhearts

: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

haha this is hilarious ^^^
personally I would NEVER run a trail by myself, or probably with anyone else either but that's just me, nor would I bike a trail. I envy anyone who would/could/has. Like someone else said, why do it if you're worried about your safety?

Jonesie1984

Reasonable point. It's hard not to mock when there are so many folks suggesting that what the world needs is MORE nutters running about with guns, but safety is a genuine issue. Do you HAVE to run in the dark rapey woods? Light and people prevent far more crime than weapons and weaponised dogs.

My friend was pursued at 9 in the morning while having her son with her in a suburban area. Sometimes creeps come to nice areas because they know nice people are there. Also, having it and using it are different things and I don't think anyone has promoted just shooting anyone for no reason.

Justkeepswimmin

Wow sounds dangerous where you guys run!
I'm glad I live in the UK, don't need to worry about guns or weapons. Nobody is about at half 5 in the am anyway lol

So the UK is violent crime free? That's awesome.

It isn't crime free, but we can't carry guns , pepper spray, knives or stun guns they are all illigal which is a good thing. We just get on with it here.

You can't carry knives or pepper spray in the UK????? I am officially taking study abroad off of my daughters college options. Her MA training is only so/so.... Thanks for the info!

Jonesie1984

: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

haha this is hilarious ^^^
personally I would NEVER run a trail by myself, or probably with anyone else either but that's just me, nor would I bike a trail. I envy anyone who would/could/has. Like someone else said, why do it if you're worried about your safety?

I would never go to the city if I was followed this motto.. I just make adjustments so I can do the things I love but be prepared for other things that could happen... Also you do it because you want to do it because you enjoy the recreation but not at the expense of safety!

nataliefamily3

Wow scary neighborhoods you guys live in... I only bring keys and sometimes my phone... I could use keys as a weapon and run away... but I do run in day light in a populated area so I don't think anyone will try to grab me.

littlepinkhearts

: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

haha this is hilarious ^^^
personally I would NEVER run a trail by myself, or probably with anyone else either but that's just me, nor would I bike a trail. I envy anyone who would/could/has. Like someone else said, why do it if you're worried about your safety?

I would never go to the city if I was followed this motto.. I just make adjustments so I can do the things I love but be prepared for other things that could happen... Also you do it because you want to do it because you enjoy the recreation but not at the expense of safety!

I go to the "city" all the time and I get a totally different feeling about it then I do heading into a woods by myself to run a trail But that's just me, like I said I envy anyone who can do it and feel at peace with it.

MassiveDelta

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?"

Heather4275

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