Is it safe to run outside when it's dark?
Replies
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I am so glad to have a dog to run with. and she's a barker with big teeth
a few things to add
i also say hi to everyone. 1) this lets them know that i saw them 2) god forbid something does happen, people will remember seeing me.
I also run with my phone's gps active0 -
Just carry it in your hand and use it to add a little arm work to your run. Go with two guns for balance if you must.0 -
Reflective gear, a headlamp, run facing traffic if there's no sidewalk, carry your phone & no headphones (no headphones for anyone running or riding outside......your ability to hear oncoming traffic could save your life) If you were my daughter I wouldn't discourage you from carry pepper spray too (even though where I live it would be more likely used on an aggressive goose)0
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kshama2001 wrote: »
I have considered carrying bear spray. I live in a rural city, and sometimes I run in areas where there are dangerous animals. I don't normally run trails in the dark, but we have had moose come through the city before. I'm always worried about spooking a moose when I'm on a trail. Those suckers can be mean as hell.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.0 -
MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
Then you're training is deficient. Aim? At that range there is no aiming. Safety?
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
Then you're training is deficient. Aim? At that range there is no aiming. Safety?
As somebody who actually *has* been grabbed from behind while running, I tend to agree with MarziPanda. I didn't even have time to think about what was happening. If the guy had intended to kidnap me or injure me, it would have already been to late. He "thankfully" just wanted to cop a feel.0 -
Depends on where you live and what you're concerned about. I would say running in the average 'safe' residential neighborhood is okay. This is very different for women than guys so I assume you're not talking about safe from cars... Call your local police station and ask them about it. If they get a bunch of assault crimes from early morning runners than you probably want to avoid it.
Regarding cars, I recommend running into traffic so that you see the cars coming. People who run with their backs to traffic don't know if the car sees them.0 -
MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?0 -
changingL1sa wrote: »I do, but I'm only comfortable because I have lights and reflective gear and I take my dog (he's a tough looking boxer) with me. I don't think I'd do it without him.
Thanks for the app. Installing to my phone right now.
I run in the dark, but I feel extremely safe in the area I run at, my fiance knows I'm out and generally how long a run takes me, and it is a residential area that primarily has residential traffic (the only reason to be in the area is because you live there. It's not a shortcut, doesn't go anywhere, and the like). I also check the news and track incidents. For example, I used to run early in the morning at my old apartment complex, but then people started getting robbed at it and nearby apartments, so I stopped.
It's all about how safe where you run is, how comfortable you feel, and general safety practices.0 -
MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?
This exactly. See my above comments about your need of training and better tactics.0 -
MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?
This exactly. See my above comments about your need of training and better tactics.
Response force in the air and a couple of Apache in company?
Just in case...0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?
This exactly. See my above comments about your need of training and better tactics.
Response force in the air and a couple of Apache in company?
Just in case...
better safe than sorry.
Probably best to just never leave your house, actually.0 -
ThickMcRunFast wrote: »MeanderingMammal wrote: »MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?
This exactly. See my above comments about your need of training and better tactics.
Response force in the air and a couple of Apache in company?
Just in case...
better safe than sorry.
Probably best to just never leave your housefortress, actually.
FIFY
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
See my above comments about running with the firearms in your hand(s). You won't need any time at all to shoot at would-be attackers/small puppies/hipsters along your way. And who grabs a person running with two guns anyway?
This exactly. See my above comments about your need of training and better tactics.
Response force in the air and a couple of Apache in company?
Just in case...
I wouldn't jog with anything less than a backpack nuke. Mutually assured destruction.
It also helps me naturally glow in the dark, so I don't need hi-vis gear.0 -
On mountain trails in the west try to avoid running at dusk in mountain lion areas. If you do see a big cat, make lots of noise, make yourself bigger and slowly back away. Do not reach down to grab a stick or rock. Do wear and use a headlamp.
Have fun.0 -
I wouldn't recommend wearing headphones as you don't want to be less aware of your surrounding. Hearing is often the first (or only) warning you will get of any number of hazards that will be either out of your field of vision, or obscured in some manner.
Stay safe whatever you decide, and I wish you success in the new year.0 -
Also would avoid the headphones., though that's going on our local area which is generally safe but a lot of paths are paths and cycle paths combined. Its hard enough to hear a cyclist coming up behind you at times with normal hearing without music blocking it.
Although I don't run at night (prefer running the canal path which isn't lit), I do walk at night and do quite a bit of night hiking and not had any problems. However I do believe its knowing your area.0 -
When I ran I was out at 5am. For some reason, morning dark was less of an issue than night dark.0
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
Then you're training is deficient. Aim? At that range there is no aiming. Safety?
I'm a great shot on the range but smart enough to realize I'd need a boatload more training to be great in a combat situation. And since I don't feel the need to invest that time, I will stick with pepper spray.
Sorry Canadians (and probably others outside of the US), this may not play for you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCI4bUk4vuM
But here's a recap: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/11/the-daily-show-effectively-debunks-good-guy-with-a-gun-theory.html0 -
I love to run early in the morning! I have several routes depending on how many miles I am up for. Traffic is very light and I enjoy a urban or city run downtown. I always face traffic and try to find some detours through college campuses where security is a bit more prevalent. At 5:00 AM I feel like most of the crazy people are in bed. Do wear reflective clothing (LED lights even better). I wear headphones at low volume (Moto Flex HD bluetooth) they don't seal the ear so I can hear traffic with them on. Early AM is the only way to go in the summer heat too.0
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women prob wouldnt feel as safe running at night
I run all the time at night, and feel perfectly safe. But I pay attention to my surroundings, don't run with earphones, and someone knows where I am and when to expect me. Same as during the day.
I use the Glympse app to let my husband know where I am when I'm out running/biking/hiking alone. It lets him see me location on a map for up to four hours, and then automatically expires. I highly recommend it for anyone running/biking alone, no matter your gender.0 -
I have a running flashlight that straps to my hand. Has a steady or strobe light on the front and a flashing red light on the back. I also carry pepper spray. More for the coyotes than humans. I only run on busy city streets. Cars are the real danger for me. I have strobes on my shoes, one on my back and reflective bands. I joke planes are gong to land nearby because they'll confuse me with the airport.
I run the bike trails during the day. Would never do it by myself at night. Too isolated. Too dark. Pretty sure at least a dozen Criminal Minds episodes start with the woman running alone on the deserted trail at night.
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As always, it depends on where you're running.
I often run at night. I run on a run/bike trail so only need to think about cars at the couple of places where I need to cross a road. I also don't worry about visibility because between the street lights and house lights I can a good distance away. The bicyclists all use lamps (traveling too fast for lower-light conditions) so I know they can see me. Plus, I do have the standard reflective gear.
My two concerns would be:
1) Injuring myself far from home - not many people out as late as I sometimes run. My nearest non-911 help would be a good 30min away (I live alone, no friends close by). I decided I could accept this.
2) Random whack-jobs. Based on stats for my area, it's highly unlikely there'd be a purposeful robber or rapist lurking on the trail I use. There's a trail that runs through downtown that seems to attract all of those problems. On the other hand, just this year there was a guy who had a mental breakdown, and killed two random people with an axe (a bicyclist and a walker, I think). It was on a trail connected to the one I use, ~8 miles north of where I run. This kind of thing I figure can happen anywhere at anytime. No reason to be more concerned about it while running than when shopping.As always, it depends on where you're running.
I often run at night. I run on a run/bike trail so only need to think about cars at the couple of places where I need to cross a road. I also don't worry about visibility because between the street lights and house lights I can a good distance away. The bicyclists all use lamps (traveling too fast for lower-light conditions) so I know they can see me. Plus, I do have the standard reflective gear.
My two concerns would be:
1) Injuring myself far from home - not many people out as late as I sometimes run. My nearest non-911 help would be a good 30min away (I live alone, no friends close by). I decided I could accept this.
2) Random whack-jobs. Based on stats for my area, it's highly unlikely there'd be a purposeful robber or rapist lurking on the trail I use. There's a trail that runs through downtown that seems to attract all of those problems. On the other hand, just this year there was a guy who had a mental breakdown, and killed two random people with an axe (a bicyclist and a walker, I think). It was on a trail connected to the one I use, ~8 miles north of where I run. This kind of thing I figure can happen anywhere at anytime. No reason to be more concerned about it while running than when shopping.
So......you're saying we should stop shopping too?
I think it's fairly obvious I'm saying that particular risk is present if you choose to live amongst other people, regardless of what you are doing.
If you don't think the risk significant enough to concern you during the day with more people (potential risks) around, it makes no sense to suddenly be concerned because it's night and you're alone.
If those kinds of risks do concern you, take the same measures you do during the day and go on about your business.
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I wish my dog would go back to running with me again. Tried the other day and ended up walking back while carrying the lazy bum.0
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MarziPanda95 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »
That's actually a great idea until she gets old enough to carry some real firepower.
But why not something non-lethal like pepper spray?
Because pepper spray isn't effective on everyone. 125grains of jacketed hollowpoint at 1450fps is.
Not if you get grabbed from behind. Ain't nobody got time to get out a gun, get off the safety, aim, and shoot in that scenario.
Honestly, the only reason I don't run in the dark is because whenever you hear about bodies being found it almost always says 'was discovered by a dog walker' or 'was discovered by a jogger'. I'd rather not have a run-in with a dead body (not that anyone has ever been murdered where I live, as it's a cute little English village). Though I wouldn't consider it during term-time when I'm at uni, just because the city I go to uni in has lots of chavs.
Then you're training is deficient. Aim? At that range there is no aiming. Safety?
Don't get me wrong, Eric Bana was bad *kitten* in this movie and this scene was great, but Jason Isaacs was f'n awesome. I told my cousins that he was Draco Malfoy's dad and they were like, "shut up stupid." LOL.0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »I'm 20 years old and I want to start running, and early in the morning is the most convenient time for me. I live in a relatively safe area, and would be sticking to roads with street lights. The idea of running alone in the dark makes me feel a little bit nervous though. I'm guessing listening to music would probably be a bit of a no-no?
Thoughts?
Sorry if I sound like an a**hole lady, but....two women are two safe women, statistics prove that a woman alone is 90% more prone to be attacked in the dark, can you find a running partner? I am living now in a gated community and my country is relatively safe, also I don't know why but at a certain age you just feel safer. I don't know where you live but consider this: you will always pass the same spots and corners focused on your running rather than in your surroundings, a rotten son of a b**** could set you for days, so, I discourage you of running solitaire at the dark, plus that danger (sorry again), but as you're beautiful and attractive, an attacker might feel entitled to pursue you or non attackers and guys in general gonna hit on you...at night let alone several guys on a truck, sorry this is the screwed up world we live in....be safe ma'am.
Oh one more thing, it is better to lift weights in the morning and run at evenings, after 4:00 PM, if I live in an area where sun goes down at 7:00 PM I'd be so happy.0 -
ThatFatAsianNerd wrote: »I wish my dog would go back to running with me again. Tried the other day and ended up walking back while carrying the lazy bum.
I tried getting my neighbor's Shih Tzu to walk with me but ended up carrying her and spending more time brushing tangles out than I did walking, so gave that up.0
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