Do you carry protection when running?

Having had my older Sheltie attacked not once but twice by big dogs on a walk, I now don't leave home without my pepper spray. I make sure I'm aware of my surroundings and pay attention to my dog as he'll let me know if something is up/near. The police actually recommended the pepper spray after the second incident, saying it would work well on a dog.

I don't at the moment. But I plan on purchasing a good knife to carry with me. I run through some sketchy neighborhoods with some sketchy people and some even sketchier pitbulls not on chains...lol. Did I use sketcy enough? but yea, it is always a good idea because unfortunately this world is full of people that won't hesitate to hurt you.

Yeah, I'm like 6'2 265 and have a 90lb Rott/Shep mix dog with me. I tend to not have any issues.

Nope. Live in one of the nicer neighbourhoods in the UK so I feel completely safe...and we have no terrifying wild animals. Don't see this guy eating me:



If I lived in the US, or any of the rougher parts of the UK, I'd undoubtedly carry something that was purely defensive.

I can see his manly parts.

Such a cute picture. Even the manly parts are cute. In a way.

I carry my car keys with me. I'm sure a key to the eye or nose would give me the opening to discover just how damn fast I could run if I needed to , but I run around the university campus so I'm hopeful I'll never need it.

First line of defense is awareness of your surroundings.
Second, you're already running, and it's likely they won't be able to catch you.
My third line is a big-assed knife.

Fortunately for me, when I run it is in a relatively urban setting. Nothing more to worry about than skunks, raccoons and local pets.

As for human animals, no problems to date.

No, but now I'm thinking I should!

We have a cougar problem too!!! We have a mom and cub living by my house so I haven't been able to run lately but I was thinking the other day about buying some pepperspray or soemthing!

I have only stayed in my neighborhood when running--no issues there. However, if I were to choose to run in some area that I felt even a little unsafe, I would absolutely carry my 40 cal semi-auto with me. And I would have no trouble using it either--the world can be a scary place

No, I don't. But that doesn't mean it's not a good idea.

^^This

If I lived in the US, or any of the rougher parts of the UK, I'd undoubtedly carry something that was purely defensive.

Question: do you think that the entire US is dangerous?

I like to carry pepper spray. I have been chased by a large german sheppard, it wasn't until then I thought it may be a good idea.

I used to carry pepper spray after I was bitten by a dog on the back of my thigh while running. Not fun. Had to do the whole rabies shot routine, too. Thankfully, I don't have a scar. Where I live now, I don't carry spray, but I probably should. We do have cougars around the area, although I've never seen one.

I'm ordering bear mace. After talking with a few people, it is apparently the mother of all maces. There was an attempted rape on the trail I run on last week. Luckily, the girl got away.

Thats awful to hear- definitly get some mace!

No, but I'm 6' 3" and over 200 pounds. If someone comes after me, they're either well-armed or stupid.

To those thinking about carrying a knife - I'd urge you to think again unless you are very good in a knife-fight, as in have some actual training with a knife and are prepared to actually kill someone with it without hesitation or remorse. Think seriously about this. If you've got someone a lot bigger than you coming after you, or an animal, you DO NOT WANT a close-in weapon where you actually have to engage with them to defend yourself.

If someone much larger than you is on the attack, threatening them with a knife will sometimes make them stop,but it puts them in the position of deciding whether or not to proceed with the attack. And you're putting yourself in a situation where, if they DO decide to proceed with the attack, your response has to be rapid and fatal, and even then may be insufficient.

Pepper spray will blind them while you are still at a little distance, disabling them and greatly increasing your chances of escaping without injury. It requires very little skill to use. The chances of injuring yourself with it are lower, and since you aren't engaging with your assailant it's less likely they'll be able to take it from you and use it against you.

Pull it, spray it, run like HELL.

And it works really well on animals as well - animals that you simply aren't going to kill before you're very badly injured.