Running alone in the dark

Jesstruhan

My neighborhood - while it may SEEM OK - is not anywhere I would run alone in the dark in. EVER. Even the safest of places can be surprising when someone things nobody else is looking.
That being said, we can't be scared of everything, so do what you need to do. My advice though - as a woman - is never to run alone at night or early before the light comes. I found other workouts to do unless I have a buddy. Your safety is paramount.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

I say run naked covered in Neon paint.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Move to Alaska

20 hours of sunlight FTW

Bears....LOSE

JMarigold

When I switch to morning runs for the summer, I let my husband know how long I'll be gone, run with only one headphone in, and carry a weapon. Pepper spray is probably the easiest option, since it's light and small. Although if you're worried about animals, do some research. I don't know how effective it would be on, say, a bear. I carry a small pistol, but I'm trained and prepared to use it, if necessary. That's not comfortable for most people, I suspect.

I also switch to a route in town instead of my usual trail route. I figure it's more populated, so more chance of someone hearing me scream if something happened.

Your best protection would be to not run alone. If you have the option of finding a jogging buddy, do that. But at least have a check-in buddy. Someone that knows where you've gone and when to expect you back.

Be aware and take precautions, but don't live in fear. Have fun!

How do you carry your pistol? Holstered? If so what kind. I've thought about doing this as I may be getting a small pistol soon.

PlayerHatinDogooder

I run with a fully loaded gun in my hand and my finger on the trigger.

In this town, there's no such thing as safe.

:flowerforyou:

likitisplit

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I agree with this, theoretically. However, until the day comes when all the rapists are gone, we need to balance this with avoiding *being* the victim. While you are never really safe, there are places and times when you are less safe.

PlayerHatinDogooder

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

viser_haut

I used to run at 1-2am in my first year of uni (life of a student haha) and I always carried a rape alarm with me; I assume the horrific noise would work equally well to scare animals away!

Muddy_Yogi

I run at 4 am all the time. I carry a berretta tomcat, run with my dog and wear light clothing.

likitisplit

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

Interesting. As a matter of fact, among the women that they've blamed for being raped, there was a 11 year old who was gang raped in Texas a couple of year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gang-rape-case-11-year-old-girl-texas-continues-divide-small-town-article-1.156043

chels0722

Move to Alaska

20 hours of sunlight FTW

Bears....LOSE

Bears only bother people who don't have guns..... Everyone in AK has guns...... WIN

chels0722

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

Interesting. As a matter of fact, among the women that they've blamed for being raped, there was a 11 year old who was gang raped in Texas a couple of year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gang-rape-case-11-year-old-girl-texas-continues-divide-small-town-article-1.156043

Thank you for spoiling everyone's happy Friday mood :grumble:

iWaffle

I never even thought about a headlamp. Will definitely have to look into getting one of those! I live in a pretty secluded area so in reality, "nothing" should happen....I'm just moreorless thinking the worse because I love to scare myself with things like this!

I don't think the headlamp was even $20. A set of batteries in it will last you 3 months easy. I do have to tell you the first time or two you do this it's going to feel creepy. Every horror movie you ever saw will come back to haunt you. You'll soon realize however that there's nothing there and anything you come across including coyotes will be scared to death of you.

Skunks are the real danger in my opinion. They have about a 10 foot range of accuracy. They scamper off the path but they're not in any hurry to do so. You might have to hold up and let them by for a few seconds. I promise that's the worst thing you'll encounter. I'm pretty sure of this.

PlayerHatinDogooder

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

Interesting. As a matter of fact, among the women that they've blamed for being raped, there was a 11 year old who was gang raped in Texas a couple of year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gang-rape-case-11-year-old-girl-texas-continues-divide-small-town-article-1.156043

I stand corrected. People can be pretty idiotic.

iWaffle

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

Interesting. As a matter of fact, among the women that they've blamed for being raped, there was a 11 year old who was gang raped in Texas a couple of year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gang-rape-case-11-year-old-girl-texas-continues-divide-small-town-article-1.156043

Thanks for the information Debbie.

likitisplit

I think you should be able to run where ever you want to, we as a society have this "BLAME THE VICTIM" mentality. For example, a woman is raped while jogging late at night in the park, a lot of people are quick to say "SHE SHOULD"T HAVE BEEN JOGGING IN THE DARK"as opposed to "LET FIND THE PERSON THAT DID THIS CRIME".

I really don't think anyone blames the woman jogging . . . .

Interesting. As a matter of fact, among the women that they've blamed for being raped, there was a 11 year old who was gang raped in Texas a couple of year ago. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gang-rape-case-11-year-old-girl-texas-continues-divide-small-town-article-1.156043

Thank you for spoiling everyone's happy Friday mood :grumble:

Sorry to piss on your picnic but these things happen ALL.THE.TIME.

christacb

You should probably get mace or a gun!
I sure wouldn't want to let a rabid animal close enough to be able to use a knife on it.

^^^^^ So true but it makes me feel better. Rabies shots would suck but at least I would be alive!

pdworkman

In the summer... 20 hours of dark in the winter...

Move to Alaska

20 hours of sunlight FTW