Advice on working out alone
Jenna__XoXo
Posts: 117 Member
I love running and doing yoga outside but I usually don't have anyone to workout with me. I usually go to a nice area in town and run beside the road since the only track in my town is in a bad location. However, there has been more that I have been followed and harassed when I was excersing. Does this happen to anyone else? How do you deal with it and stop it from happening?
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Replies
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I run with a small pepper spray that straps around my hand. I was followed once and that's when I bought the pepper spray. It gives me piece of mind. I run alone too. During the week, I stick around my neighborhood /local park. On the weekends, I try to go to trails that are scenic and where others are running. I've been running over a year, and only had that issue once.
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Nope. I always workout alone. I've only been bothered a couple times, and it was by an old (maybe homeless) man who just wanted money or a ride. He eventually stopped hanging out there(and I had mentioned him to the police so perhaps they talked to him.
Do you really get followed while running? As for the yoga, maybe just do it in a more discreet location.1 -
I'd find a different route. Or, consider cycling, you can get away faster.2
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I bring my huge Lab (dog) with me. He looks much scarier than he is!3
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I guess you just need to outrun the follower/harasser
Make it a challenge
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Not a female but I like to run downtown and thru college campuses. For those using pepper spray take into account the wind speed and direction when spraying so it doesn't blow back. I use headphones and if needed I can dial 911and they can hear me but only I can hear them.2
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DancingMoosie wrote: »Nope. I always workout alone. I've only been bothered a couple times, and it was by an old (maybe homeless) man who just wanted money or a ride. He eventually stopped hanging out there(and I had mentioned him to the police so perhaps they talked to him.
Do you really get followed while running? As for the yoga, maybe just do it in a more discreet location.
Yes I do, it's only happened a few times but it's really scary and uncomfortable when it does. Yesterday I was running and I noticed a guy following me in his car. It went on for a few minutes before I really paid attention to it but when I looked at him he was staring at me and jacking off. I know he didn't actually try to harm me but it made me really afraid to go run by myself.1 -
BeeerRunner wrote: »I run with a small pepper spray that straps around my hand. I was followed once and that's when I bought the pepper spray. It gives me piece of mind. I run alone too. During the week, I stick around my neighborhood /local park. On the weekends, I try to go to trails that are scenic and where others are running. I've been running over a year, and only had that issue once.
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I always have pepper spray and a small knife with me when I run but it doesn't really do much good unless you're super close to the person.0 -
jennamburchette2014 wrote: »DancingMoosie wrote: »Nope. I always workout alone. I've only been bothered a couple times, and it was by an old (maybe homeless) man who just wanted money or a ride. He eventually stopped hanging out there(and I had mentioned him to the police so perhaps they talked to him.
Do you really get followed while running? As for the yoga, maybe just do it in a more discreet location.
Yes I do, it's only happened a few times but it's really scary and uncomfortable when it does. Yesterday I was running and I noticed a guy following me in his car. It went on for a few minutes before I really paid attention to it but when I looked at him he was staring at me and jacking off. I know he didn't actually try to harm me but it made me really afraid to go run by myself.
That is so creepy!! Eww!! I had that happen driving on the freeway, but that would be even scarier while running!
Yeah...I don't want to be close enough to use pepper spray, but it's better than nothing. And yes, I know how to operate it and take wind direction into account. I had a bear encounter last summer. I had my bear spray armed and ready, but luckily that big guy finally started walking away from me.0 -
I used to live in a city. I had to adjust the time of day and where I went for my jogs because of this same issue. I had to go to a very well used park and only went during hours the sun was out. In Canada you can only buy pepper spray with the INTENTION of using it on an animal, so it's a little tricky to get in some stores unfortunately.0
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Check this article (and podcast) out: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-while-female
Also, check around at your local running store or search online for running groups in your area. There is always someone to run with.
Good luck and stay safe.0 -
I was going to suggest looking for running groups but dewd2 beat me to it, lol. But yeah, that would be my suggestion. I'm a member of my county's Road Runners organization, and my town's She Runs This Town group. Both offer group runs and connections to potential running buddies.0
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I've had guys follow me in their car before and honk or call out, but only once been followed on foot (and that was walking). Where I live, its easy enough to stick to a time and place so there are other people out (witnesses) and I feel less threatened, more annoyed. I'll also wear an earbud in the ear facing the street and pretend I can't hear them. I've had guys get angry when they feel they've been heard and ignored. Scary.
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The Guardian is currently asking women to contact them if they run and are harrassed. They are doing research.1
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Confront and carry pepper spray. If they are harrassing you, either ignore or wear headphones.jennamburchette2014 wrote: »I love running and doing yoga outside but I usually don't have anyone to workout with me. I usually go to a nice area in town and run beside the road since the only track in my town is in a bad location. However, there has been more that I have been followed and harassed when I was excersing. Does this happen to anyone else? How do you deal with it and stop it from happening?
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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maybe somehow indicate they they are being videotaped by your cell phone ar a go pro1
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I'm 4'11" the predators(creepy perverts) of the world look at me the way a lioness looks at an injured gazelle, I have a conceal carry permit and I carry. I have a holster that fits under my bra line and around my waist. I started to carry at all times after someone offered to help me "exercise" and wouldn't take no for an answer I can tell you breath spray in the eyes works. If you can't get pepper spray there are other things you can use bear spray, cheap body spray, basically anything you can spray in someones eyes. Good luck.2
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As a guy, this just pisses me off that you ladies have to worry about things like this just to get a run in. Sorry that a small segment of our gender can't curb their glands. Gives the rest of us a bad name.8
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Wtf is wrong with some dudes. Dude I would just fking pepper spray that little dipshit pepper spray him while he's jacking off and watch that shiiit burn like hell.
Fk sake. What kinda fked up world are we living in where someone has to pleasure himself from a woman who is just trying to stay fit. He should get kicked in the teeth1 -
Rebecca0224 wrote: »I'm 4'11" the predators(creepy perverts) of the world look at me the way a lioness looks at an injured gazelle, I have a conceal carry permit and I carry. I have a holster that fits under my bra line and around my waist. I started to carry at all times after someone offered to help me "exercise" and wouldn't take no for an answer I can tell you breath spray in the eyes works. If you can't get pepper spray there are other things you can use bear spray, cheap body spray, basically anything you can spray in someones eyes. Good luck.
I've thought about doing that but I haven't been able to find a holster that I felt would be safe enough. Where did you get yours or do you think they would be available online?1 -
I would either:
- find a different part of town again, or maybe a different time of day. Look for somewhere that other people go to exercise too like a park and go when it's busy with families or dogwalkers etc.
- look for a running group
- join a gym or get a treadmill. I think that is a very boring way to run, but it's better than risking your personal safety.
I would absolutely and definitely not go down the path of carrying a weapon, but then I don't live in the US (I'm assuming you do) and we have a very difficult culture around weapons.2 -
The city I used to live in it seemed to be pretty normal for dudes in cars to roll up on you and offer a ride or ask for your number. It's like they had no clue how totally creepy that is. I've only been followed once while on a bike. I ended up pulling into some random back yard to get away from the guy. I attempted to get his plate so I could call the cops but he had no tags. I'm American, but I would never consider carrying a weapon unless I was comfortable with killing another person. I'm not. I do carry my phone in my hand or jacket pocket while out running. Just pointing the camera at someone could be enough to get them to stop a bad behavior. If not take their pic and call the cops. If perverts following you is routine where you live the pepper spray sounds like a good idea. I've always had the best luck exercising in crowded parks. I've never had anyone bother me that wasn't in a car.1
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jennamburchette2014 wrote: »DancingMoosie wrote: »Nope. I always workout alone. I've only been bothered a couple times, and it was by an old (maybe homeless) man who just wanted money or a ride. He eventually stopped hanging out there(and I had mentioned him to the police so perhaps they talked to him.
Do you really get followed while running? As for the yoga, maybe just do it in a more discreet location.
Yes I do, it's only happened a few times but it's really scary and uncomfortable when it does. Yesterday I was running and I noticed a guy following me in his car. It went on for a few minutes before I really paid attention to it but when I looked at him he was staring at me and jacking off. I know he didn't actually try to harm me but it made me really afraid to go run by myself.
try and get the make and color of the car and the license plate and turn him in. if hes doing it to you chances are hes doing it to others.
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Find the nearest YMCA and run around the perimeters of the parking lot . I did that today. Walked, didn't run. But people there understand and shouldn't be harassing you. Also hit the record button on your phone when being harassed and take pictures (video).0
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[Get a work out partner..
quote="jennamburchette2014;10503032"]I love running and doing yoga outside but I usually don't have anyone to workout with me. I usually go to a nice area in town and run beside the road since the only track in my town is in a bad location. However, there has been more that I have been followed and harassed when I was excersing. Does this happen to anyone else? How do you deal with it and stop it from happening?[/quote]
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Anyone in Oklahoma need a workout partner or a run buddy. I'm available
I'm a amateur boxer and trainer1
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