how to carry personal protection when running?

I've seen hand held pepper sprays in pink pouches no less at hunting stores, cabella's and gander mountain

Depending upon how the laws of where you live, you might be able to open carry a pistol in an ankle holster or some cops use something called thunderwear which is specially designed underwear for concealed carry. Again, please be certain you follow the laws of your state because you don't want to get jammed up by being charged with a crime.

I wanted to reiterate this, we're in a society that frowns on self help, so make sure you don't do anything to get jammed up, especially in some of the more control focused states like CA, MA, NYC.

I sometimes carry a gun because in Boston I was shown that it was needed for safety. (I no longer live there, thank god.) Well, out for a run just a hair outside of Boston in a rather busy area called Davis Square, I got hemmed into and knocked into a service hallway for a closed business by a couple huge guys. One had a brick, the other had a grin. They were going to have a little fun, so not wanting to feel left out. I looked at them both, smiled and said, "I'm in fear of my life, please don't kill me, I'm afraid." They were a bit confused until they saw I had pulled an LC380. They realized that there was a beer at the Burren with their names on it, and quickly made their retreat.

All that's hunky dory, but useless against a black bear, and laughable against a brown. Well, not useless in either case, you can use that round on yourself. The types of pistols that will carry a useful round against a bear are going to be extremely heavy, bulky, and low in capacity. My personal choice would be a glock 20. The types of pistols that can be concealed that will carry a useful round against a human will be more manageable.

Another poster mentioned that there were problems with attacks on women. For that, I'd suggest an LC9. A remora holster which is a pocket carry holster is a good idea, you can modify an amphipod belt with a little sewing, or you can look at belly bands. I also saw a decently intelligent thread on runnersworld that hadn't devolved to "OMG GUNS R BAD HERPA DERP", and was going over potential reasons or methods to carry. I would strongly suggest a lot of range time with a holster like that so you can get comfortable using it.

If your *only* concern is a bear, and you feel fully secure in your ability to protect yourself from a two legged attacker, then bear spray would be your most effective and comfortable choice. Keep in mind, those are huge canisters, heavy, and will take some getting used to.

Keep running.

ok so this may be a strange question -- but does anyone carry personal protection when running, pepper spray or gun... where do you carry it so it doesn't flop around or get in your way???
i just can't seem to find a way to carry anything that wont drive me absolutely nuts.

i haven't been running much the past couple weeks because my husband is getting home later so i would have to run at dusk, and i have been a little freaked out about that idea. -- now i am not worried about humans, my concern in my area is bears (and wolf). i don't run in a overly wooded area, but i have reason to be freaked out - as i got bit by a bear a year ago. and there have been several bear attacks in the news lately getting me re-freaked.

i really need to get back into my running routine, i have a 5k coming up soon. i do bring my dog with so that helps a little. or maybe i should run with the fear it might make me run faster (or turn around sooner)

I know diddly about bears but the general agreement on this thread seems to be that a hand gun will only piss off the bear ;/. Good knowledge for me to know if I ever have one chasing me...

It's a matter of power. Bears are heavy, hard, durable freight trains of potential fury. There are stories of bears being shot through the heart multiple times and still mauling people, only to crawl off and die later. (Browns) We're not talking a coward like a cougar, or something a little soft like a coyote or a man.

The bullet required for work like that is quite specialized and heavy. You'd need to carry a 10mm or larger round. For best effect, a shotgun, but that's not practical. So, that leaves bear spray as a good choice. For bipeds, in a concealable package, I think the 9mm is your best bet.