self defense/personal protection while you run

24

Replies

  • cjudesaenz
    cjudesaenz Posts: 67 Member
    I always tell someone when im going and I alway txt them when I get home... it also doesnt hurt being a practicing blackbelt and former Texas State champ... all I know is that Im not going down with out a fight... ladies always go where it hurts the most... scream, kick, fight, bite, scratch, go for the eyes and "ahem" the jewels... and I always tell my girls in class dont stick around and square off as soon as you get an opening run like you have never ran before... be aware of your surroundings...
  • AnaNotBanana
    AnaNotBanana Posts: 963 Member
    I have a CCW permit and have been know to run with a gun before, although I try to avoid running in areas that would make me feel the need to carry a gun. After I scary run I had in my parents' "nice" suburban neighborhood last summer I started carrying Kimber's Guardian Angel. It's two shots of gel mace that come out at 90 mph. It is more effective than regular pepper spray because you don't have to worry about the spray coming back at you. It's more pricey than regular mace but well worth it.

    http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=2
  • AnaNotBanana
    AnaNotBanana Posts: 963 Member
    If you do see them coming, chances are they are very practiced at appearing non-threatening, and can have a very disarming personality depending on the situation. Many times it's not even the random attack while jogging, it's the casual encounter that you have to look out for.

    But anyways, Marc MacYoung is a good resource for this if you can get past the corny url:
    http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/

    This is a great point!! I read a whole study about how women are much more likely to be attacked by someone asking for help because they are afraid to say no and seem unfriendly or like a *****. I know this is an exaggerated example but Ted Bundy use to lure women by wearing a fake cast on his leg and asking women for help carrying his groceries.

    Great website by the way.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    I have a CCW permit and have been know to run with a gun before, although I try to avoid running in areas that would make me feel the need to carry a gun. After I scary run I had in my parents' "nice" suburban neighborhood last summer I started carrying Kimber's Guardian Angel. It's two shots of gel mace that come out at 90 mph. It is more effective than regular pepper spray because you don't have to worry about the spray coming back at you. It's more pricey than regular mace but well worth it.

    http://www.kimberamerica.com/shop/product.php?xProd=2

    This product here is what I was going to suggest for women who didn't want to carry a gun.

    Your brain is still your best self defense weapon by avoiding situations and being aware of your surroundings. But it's always good to have something for back up.
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    WOW! This topic is scary. Of all my time running (obviously I'm a guy so maybe a bit different) I have never even thought of bringing anything for self defence. Never had any issues. But there are a lot of people that run around here and it's all pretty well lit.
  • abyt42
    abyt42 Posts: 1,358 Member
    I take long walks over fairly isolated roads when the weather permits (12 miles), and usually call my husband (we live in different states, but he can track me via the GPS in my phone) when I set off and let him know when I'm back. He surprised me with rechargeable shock weights as a gift.... they freak me out a little, though. I preferred bringing a full aluminum water bottle. (At least on the first half of the walk, it's a fairly good cudgel, and I could refill it at the half way point if needed.)

    However, it was very thoughtful of him. And I swear I'll use them when I go out again... I'm definitely a fair-weather walker.
  • bsoxluvr
    bsoxluvr Posts: 183 Member
    German.Shepherd... =)

    Ditto! He protects and pushes me...best of both worlds.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    Ironic you should ask. Locally a woman was attacked on Sunday 2 houses away from mine by dogs. She spent several days in the hospital. These dogs have been a PITA and have tried to come into my yard and attack my kids several times. I feel so terrible for this woman.

    I wish I could run with my dog but he would take me wherever he wanted, as he's heavier than me - and he would protected me from EVERYTHING, not what I want.

    I pack a firearm with me when I run, I'm trained, extremely comfortable, and licensed.

    Wwhen I see a dog, I stop and get my gun in my hand and walk. I run on frequently on irrigation ditches or corn fields and never see anyone. If I run on the road, I don't worry too much about individuals, because there aren't many who would be walking on the road I'm on. In the city, I worry less, I've had SO many people tell me they saw me out running, I'm not too worried about it as anyone who saw something in our area would likely stop. The woman attacked by the dogs was helped by someone driving by, the benefit of living in a small town.
  • Marll
    Marll Posts: 904 Member
    When running with a gun I suggest the Smith and Wesson M&P .357 Magnum. It's a small gun sometimes referred to as a similar model the Lady Smith.

    Less than 6.5" long total, hammerless (won't snag on clothes) and about 13oz in weigh unloaded, it'll pack the punch of a full .357 pistol.

    http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765779_-1_757783_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y


    This is also what my wife carries daily in a specially built purse to conceal the weapon.
  • mielikkibz
    mielikkibz Posts: 552 Member
    I think women esp could benefit from hearing what others use/do. I'm a worrier/over-packer, so I'm always prepared. What do you do??? :glasses:

    See my avatar? I jog/walk with two full sized ones of those LOL Grins is 31 inches of Grinning fool and Secret's 28 inches. . .people who don't know them and are not dog friendly usually cross the street LOL
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    I carry a loaded .38 with the safety off. And yes, I do have a carry & conceal permit.
  • mielikkibz
    mielikkibz Posts: 552 Member
    My biggest worry when running with my dog is that one of the stray (and aggressive) dogs in the area are going to run into us at the wrong time. : (

    I'm not so much worried about that, as i'm pretty sure Grins would finish it. . .but I worry about deer, which I got to witness jump a 6 ft fence on the way home tonite from our jog/powerwalk.

    We usually have to worry about off leash psychotic chihuahuas and their stupid owners
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    I think the first thing woman can do to protect themselves is take the headphones out of their ears when running alone so they can actually hear if someone is behind them.
  • woja9640
    woja9640 Posts: 450 Member
    When I run, I have my pepper spray, and cell phone on me at all times. And take one of my dogs (lab and german short hair)

    I also try switching up my route everytime I run... when NOT at the gym. Another thing I do since I live with 2 other people, just in case something happens, I always let them know where I am running, and check in once during the run o let them know where I am at.

    I know that there are things like that which can help.

    I live in Central CA, and recently a 4 yr old boy was kidnapped and murdered by his estranged father, and a few years ago a 12 yr old girl was murdered by a neighbor. So I know how dangerous it can be. It also doesn't help that my father worked in the area where Polly Klaas was found when she was abducted.

    Needless to say after hearing all he horror stories out there and watching shows like CSI and L&O I definitely take my safety seriously.
  • misssuperstitious
    misssuperstitious Posts: 178
    For anyone with a permit to carry, these are great holsters for running: http://pistolwear.com/
  • misssuperstitious
    misssuperstitious Posts: 178
    For anyone with a permit to carry, these are great holsters for running: http://pistolwear.com/
  • CalorieNinja
    CalorieNinja Posts: 645 Member
    For anyone with a permit to carry, these are great holsters for running: http://pistolwear.com/

    Thanks for the info!
  • Salpica
    Salpica Posts: 205 Member
    I run with my guns, my left and right arms! >.>

    On a serious note you can buy small canisters of mace that go on a key chain for cheap! Also there are small electronic devices that emit a LOUD HIGH PITCH sound when disconnected to alert people. (Modern day rape whistle...) Irregardless where you run it would always be best to have something with you just in case.
  • miovlb6
    miovlb6 Posts: 339 Member
    I installed the Runkeeper app on my phone yesterday and used it while I walked last night. It tracks my route via GPS and displays it on a map online. My son was able to see where I was on the online map while I was out walking. It's not much in the way of protection, but at least it's a little safer that what I've been doing.

    I've also been changing up my route lately so that I'm not going the same route at the same time every night. But even though I know I should, I can't get rid of the headphones. When I walk I could go without them, but I need music or an audio book or something to keep me going when I run.
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    Cell phone, Life360, P32, and attitude.
  • miovlb6
    miovlb6 Posts: 339 Member
    Cell phone, Life360, P32, and attitude.

    Attitude...that's what I'm missing. Where can I get one of those? :wink:
  • koosdel
    koosdel Posts: 3,317 Member
    Cell phone, Life360, P32, and attitude.

    Attitude...that's what I'm missing. Where can I get one of those? :wink:

    Victom: averted eyes, slouched posture, hesitant movements.
    Not-victom: eye contact, upright posture, no hesitant movements, and most importantly say hi to creeps so they know you see them and don't stop to chat.
  • miovlb6
    miovlb6 Posts: 339 Member
    Cell phone, Life360, P32, and attitude.

    Attitude...that's what I'm missing. Where can I get one of those? :wink:

    Victom: averted eyes, slouched posture, hesitant movements.
    Not-victom: eye contact, upright posture, no hesitant movements, and most importantly say hi to creeps so they know you see them and don't stop to chat.

    :smile: Thanks!
  • jrt9999
    jrt9999 Posts: 114
    My wife has her CWP and has been known to run with her gun. Me, I run with her for protection. :wink: And if she don't want to go then I run with our staffie.
  • 27strange
    27strange Posts: 837 Member
    Anyone have any real good reviews on the gun holsters from pistolwear.com? How they feel, do they ride up, itch, etc? Or have recommendations for other brands?

    Have a CCW permit and would carry a compact firearm like my Ruger LCP or small j-frame S&W 642 revolver if I could find a decent more comfortable holster for them. I live in the country in Missouri and everybody owns dogs and sometimes you see packs of them around. Plus there are some shady areas within a few miles that I would run by, backwoods individuals who have had trouble with the law from physical assualt to producing meth and so on. Typically now I run at a park in town after work but would love to be able to run along the beautiful, peaceful countryside closer to home, especially as my distance endurance continues to pick up. Carrying would allow me to feel much safer from whatever might creep out of the woods.
  • woja9640
    woja9640 Posts: 450 Member
    I would try going to the NRA store website, they have better choices for CCW permit holders.
  • knittnponder
    knittnponder Posts: 1,953 Member
    Anyone have any real good reviews on the gun holsters from pistolwear.com? How they feel, do they ride up, itch, etc? Or have recommendations for other brands?

    I typically use a bellyband and find it comfortable and easy to use. There are also concealment t-shirts/tank tops available that have good reviews. Another option would be the highly fashionable hip sack/fanny pack. That one tends to bounce around though and isn't my favorite choice. www.magills.com is a good place to look at concealment shirts or belly bands. They've even got compression shorts with holsters in them so I'm sure you can find something that will be comfortable and easily accessible.

    Like another poster said, the biggest self defense weapon we have is our brain. If you're not aware of your surroundings, mace, guns, tazers, etc won't do you much good. But if you're aware and know how to properly use what you have you have a good chance of staying safe.
  • melindalamb
    melindalamb Posts: 80
    I take Kickboxing, so that is my self defense.
  • girlinahat
    girlinahat Posts: 2,956 Member
    just out of curiousity, what are the statistical likelihoods of actually being attacked whilst out running? Is it any more likely than say walking normally down the street? What personal safety tricks do you use then?

    It just reads like everyone is going around with loaded weapons. personally I would favour the being aware of your surroundings thing above any form of weapon
  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
    I think women esp could benefit from hearing what others use/do. I'm a worrier/over-packer, so I'm always prepared. What do you do??? :glasses:

    Learn Krav Maga. Any weapon can be taken from you and used against you unless you ARE the weapon.
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