I'm not worry about my safety while I run here in runners paradise (Boston). First of all I run with a partner, my 4 y.o. in the jogging stroller. We would not make the best target for human predators. It would be way too much hassle to take down the lady with the baby carriage. Also there are about 8,000 other runners on my path every day. For animals, sometimes I'm slowed down by families of ducks, geese or even wild turkeys, but they usually let me by. The dogs here are well behaved snobby city dogs that generally don't notice others.

I am pretty sure though, that with the amount of time i spend on the river (twice a day 3 days a week once a day 2 more times) that eventually I'm going to be the person that finds the dead body floating in the water. :-(

I had a pepper spray but it sprayed a stream at the dog who had no idea what it was and couldn't care less. My running partner kicked it while i called the police and the stupid owner looked passively on. Then the spray decided to freeze up when I tested it and it doesn't work. I tried an air horn and blasted it at a truck that was too close as a warning and it leaked on my hands. So I read on here about a whistle and I'm going to try it . I'm not going far from home anymore anyway. Not since the dog issue down the road.

I am pretty sure though, that with the amount of time i spend on the river (twice a day 3 days a week once a day 2 more times) that eventually I'm going to be the person that finds the dead body floating in the water. :-(

My friend says this is why he does't trust runners, they're always the one's finding bodies, it can't be a coincidence!!!

I don't take much with me, really (though I probably should). I take an ID with me on long runs, and my phone if I feel like I might not make it through my 2-3 hour slog... but I mostly stick to trails and familiar streets, so I don't worry about any trouble. I've had some friendly dogs trail me in the past, but they weren't aggressive in any way, just playful and a bit under-foot. I had someone follow me through some trees on a trail-next-to-the-trail once (many years ago), but I just went a different direction the way back and it was fine. I mostly worry about cars, because drivers tend not to look out for pedestrians at ALL in my city

I run with my roadID (a bracelet with my name, health card number and two phone numbers on it). Apart from that, I just run in areas that I feel are safe - residential areas or along cycle paths or sidewalks where there are other people out and about being active.

I always carry my cell phone and pepper spray clutched in my right hand. People and wild animals are around but what scares me are the loose aggressive dogs. Nothing scares them off and I have sprayed several. It gives me enough time to find a stick and head for the edge of the dog's territory. I have also kicked a dog in the face that was going for my foot while biking. I hit one dog three times with the spray before he got the point; the last time the owner saw it and the dog hasn't been loose since. If I'm on the road instead of trails I am hyper aware of my surroundings and try to be prepared- cars, dogs, cows, coyotes, whatever is around.

I don't carry anything though I did see another runner with an umbrella to protect her against the buzzard that's been swooping around people's heads in the Scottish countryside where I live. My only safety precautions are not to use the same route at the same time every day (or week), and to wear hi-viz gear in low light so car drivers can see me. How many people with weapons etc. on here have ever actually used them? I can't help thinking it's more about reassurance (and FEELING vulnerable) than actually being at serious risk.

ETA: the dogs I see in the countryside tend to be properly trained. It's the little yappy ones in parks that run at me.

i too live in a safe area with strict dog laws, but that doesn't mean the occasional dog doesn't get loose. there are a lot of wild life here like deer, foxes and wolves. i've taken a small pocket knife with me once or twice, in case a dog charged at me, but that's about it.

I did see another runner with an umbrella to protect her against the buzzard that's been swooping around people's heads in the Scottish countryside where I live.
ETA: the dogs I see in the countryside tend to be properly trained. It's the little yappy ones in parks that run at me.

Don't have any aggresive buzzards in my part of Scotland, and reading the other posts about people worrying about bears, coyotes, snakes etc was thinking how good we have it, living in a country where you don't really have to worry about large predators, although the midgies can be down right vicious!!!

I've never carried anything, but I will probably start doing so. I just moved to a rough area (it's supposed to be "up and coming") and although I'm only a few blocks from nice parts of town... in those "few blocks" it takes to get there I'm such a target. This neighborhood has clearly never seen a neon-wearing blonde bouncing around in spandex and I feel so uncomfortable the way everyone glares. Men shout at me from houses & cars and slow down to try & talk to me... I really shouldn't run around here but sometimes it's just too convenient to jump out the front door for a run.

SO I just signed up to be part of a trial for these new phone cases which have an emergency alert button. I guess if you press the button it immediately calls the police, texts 5 people of your choice that you are in trouble with your GPS coords, omits a loud noise and turns on your phone light, etc. I can't wait for it to come in the mail!

Yikes, now that I've really thought about how unsafe my area is, I might start carrying my small camping knife.