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| Be careful everyone (Read 1381 times) |
| view log Village Idiot |
posted: 1/28/2008 at 7:07 PM |
For me, I have no choice but run alone, but I try to use common sense.
My runs are scheduled and I have a copy of my route available ahead of time to my boyfriend.
I bring my cell phone with me, and try to run as the sun is rising or before full susnset to avoid being out in the dark.
I also have assigned check in times, so if I am running more than 15 minutes late on a run, my boyfriend drives the pre-determined route to find me.
I don't want the fear of being a woman alone ruining my independence. So I find ways to help keep ime safe. In the end this is still probably not the smartest thing, but it is the best I can do.
Chris |
Chris
5K PR: 29:58 (6/6/2008); HM PR: 2:09:24 (9/21/08)
2009 Goals
Run 1500 miles
Run a Marathon in May and MCM in October
PR at all distances |
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| view log Funky Monkey |
posted: 1/28/2008 at 7:17 PM |
| JK, the hiker who was abducted and killed had a big dog with her. |
| It's all fun and games until the flying monkeys attack. |
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posted: 1/28/2008 at 7:26 PM |
I never run with an ipod because I would be too worried and unable to enjoy a run. Sometimes I envy people who can, but most of the time I don't. If it's dark, I run on commercial streets with lots of shops and street lights. I only do residential areas or parks/trails when there is daylight. I only buy running pants/shorts that have pockets that fit my cell phone, so I never run without it. I pay close attention to people I see out and about, I know if they keep going in their direction or if they change after I pass them.
When I run pre-dawn, I run with my larger dog who growls and lunges a little when people approach. I could train her to not do that, but I like the fact that she does. I don't run with her around large crowds for that reason, just pre-dawn. She's my guard dog.
All of these things allow me to enjoy my time running much more than I would otherwise. I don't like to have to worry and run at the same time, so there are just a few things I do to be stress free.  |
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| view log |
posted: 1/28/2008 at 9:20 PM |
Oh how scary!
I am such a chicken about running outside by myself. I used to never to do that but now I have no choice really. On Saturday I went to the local park to do my long run. I started early enough to not worry about it getting dark, since I learned my lesson about that. There weren't that many people on the trail for some reason. About 5 miles out I ran past a bench with two guys sitting there, they sort of looked out of place, they weren't runners, or dressed for long walking or anything. Probably just some local guys, in their twenties. I was too close to Norristown and already was on edge about that. Well, there was nobody else in sight riding bikes, or running. I got nervous and from that point on I sped up my pace. I had planned on doing 8 out and and 8 back but I did 6.5 out and back and then finished up at home on the treadmill. I had myself so spooked that I pushed my run and was way too tired by the end of the run, I didn't want even want to finish up on the treadmill (but I did). I just kept thinking of how I wouldn't know what to do if they approached me with any intent to do harm. I panic too easily.
My plan next week for my long run is to bring along my 13 y/o son and have him ride his bike with me. Either that, or I'll stick with running around my neighborhood. I just hate being controlled by fear. |
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
These are some good times so take a good look around.
You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins
RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
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posted: 1/28/2008 at 11:10 PM |
| Quote from Trent on 1/28/2008 at 7:17 PM: JK, the hiker who was abducted and killed had a big dog with her.
I didn't say it was perfect. But it's better than nothing.
And rest assured that a Shih Tzu isn't going to help.
Unless its a ninja Shih Tzu. That would be sweet. |
E-mail: JakeKnight2002@aol.com
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| view log |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 12:23 AM
modified: 1/29/2008 at 12:30 AM |
Ninja dog.  |
| "I would never die for my beliefs, because I might be wrong."--Bertrand Russell |
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| view log Jazz, happy dog |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 1:43 AM
modified: 1/29/2008 at 2:21 AM |
It's only conjecture, we don't know the full story yet, but it seems like the killer didn't have a gun, possibly he had a knife, possibly just an expandable baton. A fit young hiker with some martial arts training should have been able to outrun a 50-something drifter, if she had warning.
I have to conclude that he took her by surprise, otherwise she should have been able to escape. The lesson here is, don't trust strangers, even on a hiking trail, even if they have a cute doggie (Mary Ann has admitted that she tends to drop her guard if someone has a dog, do you?).
The best defensive weapon, by far, is awareness. Be aware of your surroundings, don't trust strangers however harmless they seem (remember that most serial killers are quite charming), and, much as I dislike it, I think it's a good idea to carry pepper spray or some other self-defense means, whether for the neighborhood rogue dog or the sicko. The times we live in.
I guess it wouldn't be realistic to carry an AK-47 on a run, but it sure would discourage predators!
MTA: Geez, what a buzzkill this thread has been! |
| Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should
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| view log |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 1:48 AM |
| Quote from PerfesserR on 1/29/2008 at 1:43 AM:
I guess it wouldn't be realistic to carry an AK-47 on a run, but it sure would discourage predators!
Plus, nobody would ever, ever tell you to HTFU. |
E-mail: JakeKnight2002@aol.com
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| view log Bloody Nipple |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 3:27 AM
modified: 1/29/2008 at 3:29 AM |
Numero uno
Your life is worth something.
Assuming your attacker is a lone male
1. Bite like a dog who will not let go
2. Gouge the eyeballs with your fingernails
3. Punch the throat
4. Kick the scrotum... over-tenderize
5. keep kicking and kicking...
6. Don't stand down
7. if you break free, run and set a new PR
Quote from PerfesserR on 1/29/2008 at 1:43 AM:
I guess it wouldn't be realistic to carry an AK-47 on a run, but it sure would discourage predators!
I actually ran with a loaded AK-47. |
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| view log Jazz, happy dog |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 3:56 AM |
| Quote from modal on 1/29/2008 at 3:27 AM:
I actually ran with a loaded AK-47.
modal, you are my hero. Seriously! |
| Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should
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dj steve boyett Reluctant Scrooge |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 5:03 AM |
Having seen it in real-world action, I'm a big fan of pepper spray, myself. Bear spray, if you can get it in something small enough to carry.
Until fairly recently my hair was down to my butt. Years ago when I lived in Florida I used to run 3 miles a night, three times a week. I could count on being followed by a creep in a car at least once or twice a month (no, not the same creep). 25 years of martial arts, a disposition that does not like being pushed, and a somewhat less-than-sane willingness get in the face of Those Who Would Do Me Wrong kept me from worrying overmuch (in fact I once pulled a samurai sword on a guy following me in his car. Long story. But golly, the skid marks he left were swell). But having long hair for a long time gave me great insight into the nonsense, great and small, that women put up with daily. Nonsense that men would fight over or refuse to deal with (and that many men refuse to believe happens so frequently, even though -- irony of ironies -- it's men who perpetrate this crap).
Pepper spray, though, I'm tellin' ya. I watched one good squirt turn a huge guy lumbering toward me and a friend with every intent to commit grievous bodily injury into a deflated sack who hit an invisible glass wall ten feet away. I went out and bought some for myself the next day. It's much more fun and much less effort than kicking some clown in the head. Or shins. Or whatever's available for kicking.
That's how I know I'm getting older. |
Steve Boyett
Podrunner: Free, nonstop, fixed-BPM workout music mixes.
Podrunner: Intervals - Free, varied-BPM workout music mixes! |
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| view log Whoot! Whoot! |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 5:23 AM |
| Quote from PerfesserR on 1/29/2008 at 3:56 AM: modal, you are my hero. Seriously!
Mine too! |
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
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| view log Jazz, happy dog |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 1:39 PM |
| Quote from dj steve boyett on 1/29/2008 at 5:03 AM: Having seen it in real-world action, I'm a big fan of pepper spray, myself. Bear spray, if you can get it in something small enough to carry.
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There's a product that combines pepper spray, mace, and UV dye (for later identification). That should do the trick.
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| Just 'cause you can, doesn't mean you should
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| view log My clam (shell) picture. |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 1:47 PM |
| I got my wife some pepper spray once. I thought it may be getting old and wanted to see if it still sprayed. On top of a parking garage. Slight breeze brought a bit of it back to me. Still worked! |
Boston 2008
DWARP
Marathon Madness Mob |
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Scout7 view logCPT Curmudgeon |
posted: 1/29/2008 at 1:53 PM |
| CS gas works wonders. So does dynamite. |
Amat victoria curam.
Sine labore nihil.
Dulcius ex asperis. |
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