Womens safety while running alone
FL_Hiker
Posts: 919 Member
I've been thinking a lot about this lately since I've started running alone in the very early hours of the morning when it's still dark out. My mom was always telling me never to run alone, and ended up getting me a large intimidating german shepherd to run with many years ago. He was a great running partner (strong working line, great endurance, super sweet.. I sure do miss him!) and no one ever messed with me. My current dog however can't run very far so I don't usually take him with me, he plops himself down after about a mile. A self defense class I once took the instructor advised all of us women to never run with headphones as it makes us an easy target, oblivious to the world. The instructor also suggested no pony tails or braids, as a bad guy could grab them and easily manipulate a woman into a vehicle, same with backpacks. Police advise pepper spray but accuracy and if it deployed correctly is a factor. This doesn't leave a lot of options for a female runner like myself, I don't have a running partner who is my speed, and for long distances in the Florida heat I am forced to carry a water pack and honestly running with my hair down is just a mess. I also like listening to music. I can't run in the afternoon most days because of the risk of heat stroke, so when it's dark out is my best shot. I feel like i'm in a very safe neighborhood, every morning a police officer passes me several times, and the crime rate in this area is low. When I brought my concerns up with my husband he said he isn't concerned about my safety at all, and he doesn't believe it really happens to women unless its an ex boyfriend or someone specifically targeting them. He also thinks men are just as likely to be abducted. When my husband runs with me he gets honked and hollered at just as much as me it seems. I tried looking up the stats in our area and in general and couldn't really find much on it. However the last half marathon I raced in they held a seminar about womens running safety. I enjoy running and don't want to live my life in fear. I usually do carry a weapon but its heavy and a burden while running. Curious what others thoughts are on the topic, and how do you keep safe while running? Have you ever been attacked? Is it silly to worry about such things? Women do you run alone?
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Replies
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You can put your hair up in a crown braid, or really any braid close to your head and then it won't be easily accessible to an attacker, but also won't be down making you hot.
Be aware of your surroundings, that's probably the best defense.
Make sure someone not with you knows your anticipated route and eta, check in at start/end of run.
Bad things happen even in good neighborhoods.
Maybe a smaller weapon like a tactical pen/knife or those odd keychains that are kind of like sharp brass knuckles. Or they make some spring loaded sticks/wands as well as small but very loud panic alarms.7 -
I run before light in the winter and don't really worry about it (I have a ponytail and wear headphones), since there are people around in the neighborhood. If you see people (and a policeman) and it's a safe area, I think it's not really something to worry about. If it was a less populated area or a more dangerous one I might be more risk adverse -- I would not go run on a more secluded trail before light, but of course that's a visibility worry too. My neighborhood is in a city and has street lights and is reasonably bright even at 5:30 am.
I don't think it's a silly thing to worry about, but I just don't, and I think not doing so under my particular circumstances is rational and not foolhardy.5 -
I get really mad sometimes that women need to be extra careful. I don't want to have to worry about that, I just want to go run. However men can't really go bee bopping around town without a care in the world either. There are dangers besides being abducted by a pervert. I wear earbuds and listen to music but i keep the volume low so I can hear the world around me. I don't carry a weapon. And I wear my hair in a pony tail. I can't seem to get my thick hair in a bun that will stay in place. I think it's best to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and make sure someone knows where you are and what your route will be or what trail you're going to. I don't think I'd be comfortable carrying a knife or something like that for fear that an abductor would just take it and use it on me... I think I would like to take a self defense class sometime, do you recommend it?12
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Bad things can happen anywhere at anytime. However, statistics are on your side on this and risk is low (of a bad guy jumping out of a bush or something). I survived a brutal assault-by someone I knew. I run with no weapons, with music, with my hair up in a pony tail, with a hydration pack (if needed). My biggest risk (IMO) is vehicle traffic, skunks, loose dogs, bats and tripping over a curb and getting injured.
I stay as visible as possible, I use live tracking on my runs and give an approximate time I expect to be home. I run similar routes often because I am familiar to the other people on those routes and I am familiar with them. I use as much light as is reasonable to scare off the skunks.
In the 7 years I’ve been running-number of scary bad guys encountered: 0.
Number of near-collisions with terrible drivers: approx 6 per run.
Number of skunk and bat sightings: approx 2-3 per run.
Number of wayward loose dogs: approx 1-2 per run.
Idk. That seems enough for me to worry about. I don’t think it’s silly to worry about. But as mentioned above, I just don’t and think that’s reasonable for my circumstances.
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I get really mad sometimes that women need to be extra careful. I don't want to have to worry about that, I just want to go run. However men can't really go bee bopping around town without a care in the world. There are dangers besides being abducted by a pervert. I wear earbuds and listen to music but i keep the volume low so I can hear the world around me. I don't carry a weapon. And I wear my hair in a pony tail. I can't seem to get my thick hair in a bun that will stay in place. I think it's best to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and make sure someone knows where you are and what your route will be or what trail you're going to. I don't think I'd be comfortable carrying a knife or something like that for fear that an abductor would just take it and use it on me... I think I would like to take a self defense class sometime, do you recommend it?
I'm the same way, I would love to put my hair in some complicated tight knot thing on my head but I have a) too much hair to do that, and b) very little skill with braiding lol. I do always use google maps to give my husband live tracking on me during the long early morning runs. Personally I enjoyed the self defense class... I think it gave me more courage and confidence but I feel like if you don't keep up with the skills over time you will forget. I had a great instructor though, she would see me at the grocery store or something and sneak attack me full on lol. Very embarrassing, fighting off this little old lady in the middle of publix, but she always wanted us to be aware of our surroundings and ready at any moment. The class taught exactly how to fight dirty, no rules, and be loud. She said the biggest mistake women make is going too quietly.10 -
Duck_Puddle wrote: »Bad things can happen anywhere at anytime. However, statistics are on your side on this and risk is low (of a bad guy jumping out of a bush or something). I survived a brutal assault-by someone I knew. I run with no weapons, with music, with my hair up in a pony tail, with a hydration pack (if needed). My biggest risk (IMO) is vehicle traffic, skunks, loose dogs, bats and tripping over a curb and getting injured.
I stay as visible as possible, I use live tracking on my runs and give an approximate time I expect to be home. I run similar routes often because I am familiar to the other people on those routes and I am familiar with them. I use as much light as is reasonable to scare off the skunks.
In the 7 years I’ve been running-number of scary bad guys encountered: 0.
Number of near-collisions with terrible drivers: approx 6 per run.
Number of skunk and bat sightings: approx 2-3 per run.
Number of wayward loose dogs: approx 1-2 per run.
Idk. That seems enough for me to worry about. I don’t think it’s silly to worry about. But as mentioned above, I just don’t and think that’s reasonable for my circumstances.
Wow I didn't know you were attacked Ducky, that's terrifying but glad you are okay! Agree with the loose dogs thing, every run I encounter several, and when I bring my own dog he just attracts more lol. Yet to run into a bat or a skunk though lol.1 -
I'm very aware of my surroundings when out walking because I usually aim for 8 - 9 miles each time. Unfortunately, due to safety reasons I never go farther than a 2 mile radius from my truck. This means looping back and forth through certain spots on the trails and walking more laps around the small fishing pond than I'd prefer, but safety comes first and being out in nature is FAR superior than being stuck on a treadmill.
Where I walk is a state park so most of the time it's busy and there are no worries, but when the weather starts to cool down there are fewer people out so I just make sure I'm aware of who else is there and thankfully the park rangers are out and about year-round.3 -
To my mind, the biggest risk is wearing headphones. I used to run a group in a youth correctional facility for sex offenders. Again and again I heard they'd scope out women with headphones and run up behind them, but not all the way to them as a way to test whether that women would be a likely target. If the woman turned around to look at the person running behind them, the guys would back off and move on to another target. I rarely wear headphones anywhere in public for just that reason. If I do have them on for some reason, it's usually one ear and the volume is just loud enough to hear.
I worry less about things like ponytails and backpacks. If someone has gotten close enough to grab me, it's an entirely different situation than someone running up behind to see if I react.
I don't go running in the dark, but I do live in an urban neighborhood where most stores and restaurants are within walkable distance, so I'm out and about at all kinds of times. My main tactic is just to be visibly aware of my surroundings. I make eye contact with the people I pass and make a point of looking around myself and my path.
Fundamentally though, I think the vast majority of people are good and that the odds are generally good that nothing bad will happen when I'm out in the world. I do my part to prevent anything from happening, but would never consider myself fearful of circumstances and surroundings. Assault is pretty unlikely from a statistical point of view, if nothing else. I'd rather live a full and exciting life out in the world than wall myself into a box out of fear.13 -
I don't worry about it as much as my husband does. If I run when it is dark I stick to well lit areas. But I am most concerned that cars can see me and that I can see where I am going. I do run with a hand held pepper spray but I have never had to use it. I usually wear a ponytail and never even thought of that as a risk. I wouldn't want to run with my hair down. I listen to music, but not very loudly (I don't want to damage my hearing) and I only use one earbud so I can hear traffic etc. I've never felt threatened by anyone I have seen when running. I've felt threatened once or twice by dogs, and bitten once. And I've seen a few skunks and almost tripped over a squirrel once. But other than trying to be aware of my surroundings I don't worry about running by myself.3
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I do look around constantly while I'm running. If i hear a noise I turn my head around and look to see if anyone's coming up behind me. That's more for fear of getting run over by a bicyclist but now I'll be worried about a rapist after reading this post lol
But I probably don't hear as much as I could because of my music. I probably need to stop listening to music while I run but I really don't think that sounds enjoyable
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i just try to be aware and not be a target.
people say that i am more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone i know but there are other sorts of attacks.
i run with my dogs with all but my long runs
i make eye contact with everyone and say hey. i announce myself if my dogs and i are running up on someone in case they are concerned i am planning to do them harm.
i do not wear headphones or play music aloud. i do carry my phone and dog bags in a spibelt, often under my top layer/shirt
my long runs are on popular paths during the daylight hours
i do not frequently repeat my routes.
the city i live in is relatively safe but in my area in the past six months, there have been people attacked for money, phones, or stranger on stranger sexual assault. someone was targeting people with a bb gun. someone shot up a few cars-no particular reason. and that's just what made the news. the map of incidents is quite full.1 -
I've been thinking a lot about this lately since I've started running alone in the very early hours of the morning when it's still dark out. My mom was always telling me never to run alone, and ended up getting me a large intimidating german shepherd to run with many years ago. He was a great running partner (strong working line, great endurance, super sweet.. I sure do miss him!) and no one ever messed with me. My current dog however can't run very far so I don't usually take him with me, he plops himself down after about a mile. A self defense class I once took the instructor advised all of us women to never run with headphones as it makes us an easy target, oblivious to the world. The instructor also suggested no pony tails or braids, as a bad guy could grab them and easily manipulate a woman into a vehicle, same with backpacks. Police advise pepper spray but accuracy and if it deployed correctly is a factor. This doesn't leave a lot of options for a female runner like myself, I don't have a running partner who is my speed, and for long distances in the Florida heat I am forced to carry a water pack and honestly running with my hair down is just a mess. I also like listening to music. I can't run in the afternoon most days because of the risk of heat stroke, so when it's dark out is my best shot. I feel like i'm in a very safe neighborhood, every morning a police officer passes me several times, and the crime rate in this area is low. When I brought my concerns up with my husband he said he isn't concerned about my safety at all, and he doesn't believe it really happens to women unless its an ex boyfriend or someone specifically targeting them. He also thinks men are just as likely to be abducted. When my husband runs with me he gets honked and hollered at just as much as me it seems. I tried looking up the stats in our area and in general and couldn't really find much on it. However the last half marathon I raced in they held a seminar about womens running safety. I enjoy running and don't want to live my life in fear. I usually do carry a weapon but its heavy and a burden while running. Curious what others thoughts are on the topic, and how do you keep safe while running? Have you ever been attacked? Is it silly to worry about such things? Women do you run alone?
- A capable outdoor muscled canine as a running partner is ideal and I agree with your Mum. I'm presently stuck with a pitbull/boxer pup and he tires out easily, so no-can-do with him too at my end. He is easily intimidated once he catches the coyotes' scent I'm assuming, with how quickly spooked he gets when we take him out.
- The convenience of the pig tails or pony tails or the bun variations, with the high-winds when running early morning or in the evening and at night, with my weighted pack sometimes, aren't negotiable. Can't imagine running out there with my hair down. That's just crazy.
- By preference I'd love to run with music, but for out here and right now, having seen some footage via our Neighbourhood Watch (trespassers along the fence wall, one mountain lion and of course the usual coyotes), when trail-running and committed to our outdoor sprint drills, *we are doing without it.
- I relate to when you can schedule your runs, for my daytime commitments can not be avoided. What I have open is either before work or after work (ie "before breakfast and before bedtime"). I love working out outdoors in the dark though. Hate being visible, for it's a safety/security risk in my opinion. Prefer seeing what's coming in the dark. Where I do workout though, the section, can be lit up like Christmas. We opt out of lighting our trails and the mish-mash of surfaces (including inclines) we use to variate our workout.
- I don't blame you OP for choosing to run. We're out here in the desert and at a high altitude, working out in the early morning and after sundown. I've quickly learnt be it daytime or before/after sundown, hydration is a necessity that I can't neglect, for I'm out there for more than 2 hours.
- Security wise, I feel spoilt and safe. It is completely surveillanced. We have security. Active neighbours who use our surrounding facilities expertise are in and of themselves reassuring, so ... despite the occasional issues, I feel safer here than I'd felt about our safety/security in other parts of California.
- I've never been attacked but our experiences however, have been interesting, even curious.
- Where I am, anyone who is a target no matter their gender or age is at risk of abduction, depending on the motivation, for it's a human trafficking corridor, agreeing with your husband's viewpoint.
- I never run without my essentials which look like normative items, but are my weapon(s) - weighted.
- I miss running alone, however commonsense is the only reason I appreciate having a steady running companion - my sister; An extra pair of eyes.
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• I normally run with only 1 ear bud in - although that's always been primarily so I could hear any cars or bicycles approaching (that may run me over).
• I live in the city. In an area with many restaurants/bodegas/quickie marts/convenience stores - if running after dark, I plan my routes so they avoid more desolate areas as much as possible. YMMV depending on where you live.
• I do wear lights. I've been nearly run over by cyclists running stop signs at speed enough times that I traded a reflective vest for one with LED lights. (The car drivers tend to be less of an issue with the exception of exiting traffic circles and our densest bar strip).
• I carry an emergency whistle around my neck (required at orienteering meets, so already used to running with it anyway).
• I always wear my hair fully up (running and elsewhere, nothing to do with security though-it just gets in my way) - it's under a hat when I run (either for sun protection or cold protection). (I can't stand ponytails -- too much hair=too much weight and it pulls. It's about tailbone length. Bobby pins hold braided hair pretty securely.)
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I don't worry about it. I carry mace, but that's because I was bitten by a dog when running. I've done activities by myself most of my life. I thruhiked the AT and JMT solo and backpacked alone for years. I lived in San Francisco and wandered all over that city, as well as parts of Europe, without any problems. I have been running for seven years, and do 20 mile runs in the country and shorter runs in town without any problems. I worry more about inattentive drivers and loose dogs than I do about getting attacked by some random pervert.
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I refuse to constantly live in fear of being attacked by a loon(s) or animals. Am not manifesting that negativity my way.
I wear my hair in a high pony, which I plait, then roll onto itself. Thankfully, I have Pacific Island hair, so it doesn't unravel easily despite its thickness and weight.
A friend shared with me only yesterday, that he would much prefer to fight for his safety and dignity, to his dying breath, than be on his knees currying to an aggressor - I am very much the same way.9 -
I don't think it is silly at all. I used not to care when I was younger, but now I do. I wouldn't go in a secluded trail alone anymore, even during the day. While all these tips are good, the live tracking, letting someone know your route/eta... this won't help you when you need it. Might help find you back, but will it be too late? I don't want to scare anyone or seem paranoid, but this is truly my opinion and one of the reasons I stopped running outdoors, since like you the only appropriate time would be when it's dark. But I am really cautious...
There will always be a risk, it depends on how comfortable you are with that risk. I am not, I would rather run on a treadmill then put myself in such a situation.
I applaud all the ladies that don't let fear run their life, I wish I could be as courageous as you are? I sometimes feel like I live in fear, but I still can't gather the courage to actually do these kind of things. I wish we didn't have to feel scared as women.10 -
I run every day on back roads. On my hip is my Smith and Wesson. My local sheriff insisted I keep it with me. I do not do it out of fear, i do it because to many times things happen. I had a very close call 2 years ago. I had to fight off a man that was not from our area. He passed me three or four times before stopping to ask for directions. I kept running, he eventually stopped and chased me down. I am 5 foot 3 inches and 130 pounds, he was easily 6 foot and outweighed me quite a bit. I had Mace thankfully and I had taken defense classes prior. He broke my arm, bloodied my nose but I was not about to go down. I maced him good then kicked him where it hurt! I was able to call 911 and took off running till I got to a house. Thankfully they caught him. I still run 10 miles a day. Am I cautious, always. Fearful, no. Be prepared. Take self defense classes. I'm not saying carry a weapon, that is not for everyone. But if you do go to classes and train on that too.19
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Where I live, I'm primarily concerned about wild animals, bad drivers, and unrestrained dogs. I run on public park land that's lightly but consistently traveled by cyclists, hikers, and other runners, and I have to cross a road with only a stop sign (no light or crosswalk) to get there. In addition to the mostly unthreatening wildlife like turkeys, raccoons, and deer, we also have coyotes and bobcats, and occasionally a mountain lion.
My safety habits are mostly about sticking to the neighborhood sidewalks and not going out on the trails if I must run in the dark. I prefer to just wait until dawn so I can run the trails. I also wear one earbud so I can hear both my music and my surroundings.2 -
Touch wood, i have never had any trouble when out running.
I try to stick to main roads where cars are more of a problem, or people who just won't move to let me pass!
I don't run with music, and I always let the husband know my route and estimated ETA and I take my phone with me.
A while ago I heard of a runner being attacked on my long route, but in the evening (I run that route weekend mornings). I didn't tell the husband as he would worry and want me to stop running.2 -
Perhaps taking some self-defense classes would help. I just started Krav Maga and it's all about self-defense techniques. I like it a lot.1
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I run alone on country tracks in the dark with a head lamp on.
My only worry is tripping and bats getting too close to my head.2 -
I ran alone down country roads also.
I ALWAYS let my husband know which route I was going and about how long I would be.
He actually came looking for me a couple of times, both times I had been talking to neighbors who stopped while driving by.
I carried bear spray and if I was on trails wore bear bells.
I mostly worried about the 4 legged predators, not the 2 legged ones.3 -
An additional thing I do is to appear unapproachable and confident af. Body language can go a long way.
I mean, I have angry workout-face, so it's not all that difficult for me. As others have said, letting others know your route is advisable as well.
It's rare to be singled-out while running, but sometimes you just have to do these things to ease your mind.4 -
Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
I'm not opposed to what men in our community say, "Guy approaching " ..."Incoming" ... "Friendly" . Or they would simply say, " Left or right" depending on the side they've chosen to take to pass by. They say something in either direction usually.10 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
I often run races where there are a zillion different distances on the same course at the same time (meaning lots of people running different paces - lots of passing).
There’s one race I ran where the runners coming up behind said “looking good”, “strong running” or something positive - which warned me someone was coming up behind me and also indicated they were friendly. And as a bonus, it was like a little personal cheer.
I realize you’re not talking about a race situation-but I would respond favorably to a “runner-themed” positive comment. I’d also respond to the ever popular “ON YOUR LEFT”. But the other is friendlier and tells me you’re a like-minded soul.
This also (for me) applies to anyone (male or female). I am startled by both genders equally.3 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
Yell, "Behind you!" from a good distance away. I can usually hear oncoming runners, but I appreciate when they give me a warning.3 -
Tacklewasher wrote: »Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
I automatically assume all people are friendly, I don’t think it’s right that you should be stereotyped and judged poorly because of a few horrible individuals in our population. If you didn’t jump me, I’m not going to think anything of it (besides that guy is fast!!!) even with headphones in no one has ever snuck up on me, now i accidentally sneak up on other people all the time... mostly little old ladies I’m passing and they always scream, even when I say MORNING loudly from behind.6 -
I'm not sure "Looking good" is a good thing to say to a lone runner who may feel nervous.
A shout of "Evening passing on your left" (or right) I would prefer.
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Tacklewasher wrote: »Trying to figure out how to ask this.
As a guy, if I'm on the same trail as you, and I'm coming up behind you, what (if anything) can I do to make you feel more comfortable. Some of the trails I run on are not well traveled, but I still will see someone. Normally it's a couple walking a dog, but it could be someone running alone.
I automatically assume all people are friendly, I don’t think it’s right that you should be stereotyped and judged poorly because of a few horrible individuals in our population. If you didn’t jump me, I’m not going to think anything of it (besides that guy is fast!!!)
Yeah, you won't be thinking that about me, so I likely wouldn't be catching up to you anyway
I'll stick with behind you. Although I might be running with bear bells for a bit, at least until the snow starts and I'm off the trails. I've passed some bear poop on the trail.3
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