running/walking outside in AM

I take my dogs with me (pit bull and a doberman) and my MiL is STILL nervous about it. That being said, the murder rate in my town is 4/year, and I moved from a city that was over 400/year... I kind of giggle to myself about this... It's all relative. Think about what your level of acceptable risk is, and go with that.

This depends on where you live. You and your husband know your environment more than we do. I like going out in the dark morning but I tend to take one of our dogs with me. My neighborhood is generally safe but in the off chance danger arises, my dogs are a pretty good deterrent.

Can you move the treadmill out of the bedroom?

Get a reflective vest to let drivers know your there and get a can of bear spray (super charged pepper spray with long reach) for anything that threatens you.

focusedmom07 wrote: »

ok so i have been wanting to run/walk outside in the am before work some mornings of the week. but my husband things its a bad idea to go run or walk outside in the dark alone. so now it has me a little scared of doing it. anyone else scared of doing this in the dark to or is my husband just over reacting. he said i bought u a treadmill so you can run at home and be safe and i understand that and i use it everyday but some days when im busy at night with the kdis or have appointments id like to get up early and get my run or walk in before i start my day and my treadmill is in our bedroom were he is asleep so that is out of the question.

We don't know your neighborhood -- you and your husband do.

Is his concern based on statistics in your area or events? Do you live in an area where you carrying an emergency siren (the kind you press if you run into trouble) would address his fears? Is there another area where you can store the treadmill?

Tell him you will be walking/running in the AM, and if the treadmill wakes him up, that's not YOUR problem. If he's that worried about your safety, being woken up by the treadmill should be comforting to him. He can express concern for your safety, but he cannot give you zero viable alternatives.

Get a headlamp or flashlight and reflective gear.
Don't get the Rayovac headlamp (http://www.amazon.com/Rayovac-DIYHL3AAA-B-Virtually-Indestructible-Headlight/dp/B004Y6DMG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428595073&sr=8-1&keywords=rayovac+headlight) because it goes through batteries like no other.

I tanked it in the dark last week and ending up breaking my fibula.
When I'm able to walk and run again, I won't be using that headlamp unless I'm on a maintained trail and probably won't run on the road again in the dark.

I generally go on runs at about 5am. I take precautions like wearing a reflective vest and LED lights, carrying ID, letting my husband know of my route and when I plan on being back, carrying my phone, not wearing headphones and being aware of my surroundings. A few years ago when I started running I carried pepper spray, but I don't anymore. In my experience you are more at risk of being hit by a careless driver than you are of being assaulted. I also took a self defense course and learned ways to help myself stay safe in the event somebody did attack me. I also run along routes that aren't completely abandoned. Generally I pass several other runners and cyclists, and homes all around where many people are up getting ready for work. Something could still happen to me, but I feel comfortable with my choices.

I rate "attacked in the early hours by a stranger" to be very low on the risk scale. I am much more terrified of ice. A local boxer was killed by a speeding car here.

I got myself one of these:
And I have cleats for ice.

You can register on something like Endomondo and he can "watch" your run if he likes.

When I tell my hubby I am off for a run, he rolls over, LOL.

All depends on what his fear is.

My husband was afraid I would get hit by the paper guy, so he bought me a reflective vest.
He feared I would trip on a pot hole, so he bought me a head lamp,
He feared someone would attack me, so he bought me my running partner.
He feared a coyote would get us both, so he bought me a gun.

Really, if you prepare yourself properly, running is as safe in the morning as it is any other time of the day. I wouldn't say start running in the dark if you live in a crime infested city of course.

I wear a reflective vest and a headlamp. Don't go out in black on black and expect cars to see you. If it's a sketchy neighborhood, or very rural, you may want to carry pepper spray. I always bring my phone too.

I've always been of the mindset that I can't live my life in fear of everything. If I had to run on a treadmill, I wouldn't run.

Not much else to add to the suggestions above, they're all good ones. One additional thought is to see if there's a running group in your area that goes in the early morning. If you go in a crowd, you'll be as safe as can be managed.

RGv2 wrote: »

I bet a lot more people do this than you think.

I am sure that is true.... but it does not make it any less disturbing. The last thing I need is to inadvertently run up on a skittish runner with a handgun.... or anyone with a handgun for that matter. I guess its a good thing I don't like people and run in places where I am not likely to find any... lol

I run in the middle of the day on a trail that, for a short period of time, had a bad reputation. A few people were mugged and a couple women were assaulted. Most of the attackers were caught. I still run. The thing is that anything could happen at any time of day. Nearly every one of the crimes were committed between 1pm and 5pm. I personally choose to not live my life in fear. With that being said, if you do decide to run in the dark, exercise common sense. If it is dark, wear reflective gear and maybe even a light of some kind. If animal attacks are likely in your area then carry bear spray, and know how to use it first. If someone gives you a bad feeling, trust your instincts. Get as much distance from them as you can. Be aware of your surroundings. Look people in the face. Even if you don't make eye contact let people know you are aware they are there. Also, let your husband know your route before you go and what time you expect to be back. Good luck to you.

Live in an old "established" neighborhood and used to go out running every morning at around a.m. Had to stop. Why? IT'S DARK OUT THERE! Sidewalks heaved up and uneven made running on the sidewalk dangerous so every body uses the street. So I ran in the street.

Unfortunately, there are holes in the street. Some of them are fairly small but still big enough to do damage. I started taking a lot of undesired nosedives. And, when I stepped into a pothole about 15" long by four wide... foot went in, did not come out. Ripped up my foot, ankle, knee, AND hip. (And my elbows and shoulders weren't too happy either!)

Three months' of recovery later is when I invested in a high quality, high efficiency treadmill. (Then came the rest of the equipment and a third of my basement is now a home gym.) I still run, but now it is at 4:30a.m. and it can turn on the fan while I run. I also watch movies online, read books online, and write (laptops are SO versatile!) while I do my morning miles.

So, personally, I would not commend to anyone to run outside in the morning. But, as you can see, I have a built-in bias. Have you considered a gym? Some have very reasonable month-to-month rates and are open very early (some even 24/7). Or you could always draft hubby to run with you!
;-)

LoneWolfRunner wrote: »

RGv2 wrote: »

I bet a lot more people do this than you think.

I am sure that is true.... but it does make it any less disturbing. The last thing I need is to inadvertently run up on a skittish runner with a handgun.... or anyone with a handgun for that matter. I guess its a good thing I don't like people and run in places where I am not likely to find any... lol

I guess I just don't find it disturbing. I'm actually more apt to carry if I'm running someplace I have a better chance of running into "nature" vs a person.