So yesterday when I was about half way thru my morning run on a trail that wraps around where we live a nice lady stopped me to give me some news. She advised me that there is a man that is hiding in the woods and is following young girls on the trail. She actually experienced this herself and her daughter was with her.
See this is a HUGE fear of mine. I do not like running thru any wooded area. This may stem from my CSI obsession haha but It just really creeps me out. Before this information I always had my ipod off and I was constantly looking around while running thru any wooded area. Any noise would be like fire under my booty and I would run off pretty fast : ) The lady also mentioned that there was a bear spotting about 6 months ago. I dont think a can of mace would scare Yogi off!
THEN a friend of mine told me about a local girl being drug off a running trail in a town about 45 min from me. Luckily the girl fought the attatker off and ran off. Typing this makes my hear beat fast. Thank God for protecting that poor girl.
I really enjoy running outside. There is something about the sun, the breeze, the way it clears your head and how I push myself even further. Also, Sadie and I have been enjoying her daily walks, and as big as Sadie thinks she is, she isn’t going to scare anyone away. : ) Now I am contemplating getting my new treadmill earlier than later. I wanna know if any of you outside runners carry any certain defense weapon… besides a gun. I know of mace and those knife things you put on your key chain. Is there anything else?
I hope I didnt freak anyone out. I just think everyone needs to be VERY cautious these days. It’s really scary out there! : (
off to go research treamills some more : )
Stay safe! There are just too many horrible people in the world these days. I'm always super cautious when I'm alone – especially in the am when I'm going to the gym.
Those are the same fears that I have about running outside. I like to stick to the gym where no scary men will drag me off into the woods!
I agree with Mrs Potts, keep you safe girl!! Iād be exactly the same, looking round all the time. Maybe find a running buddy, then god forbid if anything does ever happen, you should be alright.
Keep safe
All the best L x
oh girl, i am so with you! it freaks me out to run through wooded areas! my favorite running trail has about a 1/4 of a mile that is surrounded by woods, i sprint through that section!
i don't carry a weapon or anything, but i just try to only go out on the trail during times of the day when i know other runners and cyclists will be out there. and i always carry my phone. it's super scary, isn't it? i hate it.
Tara first off please be safe. Second email me when you have a chance. handbagobsessed@gmail.com
I worry about that constantly when I run outside and since we live in the middle of BFE I just don't feel safe anymore. Be safe girl and get that treadmill STAT!
better safe than sorry!
i would say don't live in fear but definitely be aware!! i think the buddy system is the best way to go!!!
Oh my gosh, that is so scary! Def one of my biggest fears too! Stay safe friend!
So scary. That's one of my biggest fears!
Stay safe, girl!
I take my husband!:)
So scary, I solve this by almost never running/walking outside without Nick. If I do choose to go without him, I always have Bogey (who's an 85 lb lab & I also make sure that some of our nice neighbors are outside at the same time!
I run outside but I no longer use an ipod (believe me… running can be amazing without it.It is always good to have time to just clear your mind of everything.) I also keep emergency I.C.E. # in my water bottle pocket.
I stopped running outside for year after a shady vehicle kept circling. They were probably lost, but I didnt' care. I've started back a few months ago, but here lately I've been reconsidering taking it back inside. I also blame CSI…
SOO scary! This is my biggest fear as well. Be safe chica!
I am also an indoor runner who loves to do occasional runs outside, but since I live in the city, and it can get kinda sketchy around dark corners I make sure that I always run with 3 things.
1. Road ID http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx
2. Always wear a bright top so that cars and other people notice you quickly.
3. Runners Mace – this won't help with a bear, but it will definitely make you feel better about running alone. I use this one, that wraps around your hand, is surprisingly comfortable and has a safety lock so you won't accidentally spray it. http://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Mace-Jogger-Spray-Brand/dp/B001PQFHQU
Hope that helps! Be safe out there!
Be safe girl! Wooded areas always creep me out too. I try to run where I know there will be a lot of people.
My advice is get your hubs or a girlfriend to run with š
that is so scary!! i am an outdoor only runner so this creeps me out! i live in downtown chicago so i am never going through wooded areas but believe me there are some super sketchy areas (i can't run anywhere north of me or too far west…) so i am just aware of the neighborhood and the time of day. i have never felt un-safe in daylight. i always carry my ID and insurance card in my ipod…won't really protect against attack but i feel safer with them!
jeez that is scary I hope they catch them. in terms of tips.. it might not be practical for you but if im going a longer jog and its going to be sunset or later, i stick to main, lit and populated roads and tell hubs my route, i tend to plan so i finish away from home and he comes and collects me in the car.
In order to run by myself I have to carry mace. I usually try to run on a sidewalk of a busy street though. Mr. Guru also has a deal where if I run the trails he follows me on his bike. I always carry my phone and truly never fear anything. I used to run in downtown Austin all the time when I lived there. I only carried my phone then and felt fine. But Mr. Guru worries about it more then I do. However, you still need to be careful and aware of your surroundings! Good luck!
I carry runners mace and only run during the day in a neighborhood or a place where there are a lot of people!! No wooded dark areas, come on now you should know better than that:)
I have had the same fears for years because as a little girl living in Germany my mom would always tell me that by my Oma's house along the bike paths connecting the villages and along the river bike path there have been naked men chasing women down. Soo! I love the idea of doing things outdoors like cycling and jogging but I'm just too paranoid. Even going on walks with my daughter in the evening time is too much for me.
SO FUN! I love all your bright floral dresses!!!
I usually have my house key with me, I figure I can poke someone's eye out with that, LOL. You know, I have come across some odd ducks, but I find two things that work best for me are 1)Being aware and turning to face anyone who I hear approaching (we have a really weird guy that walks around the lake, but I'm short with conversation and I stand up tall and try to make myself look confident in my abilities to defend myself – no laughing, I think it works…but my husband laughs.
And 2) When something doesn't feel right, I pretend to be on my cell phone and say things like "Oh great, I'm just a few yards from ya. You didn't bring that damn pitbull did you? Why do you bring that mean dog?" One of these days my phone is going to ring when I'm doing that and people will avoid me, Hahaha.
Oh, I've also waved at strange people in parking lots (pretending I know them). In my defense I only did it twice and both times it was because of my husband's car. He has his spiffy Trans Am that's a hold over from his bachelor days. For some odd reason guys are attracted to sports cars. Anyway, I had to drive it when my truck was in the shop and I came out of work two days in a row (different group of guys each day – Day 1 was four guys and day two was 2 guys), to guys standing around the car. What the heck?! So the first day, I waved to some older couple as I walked over and slinked into the car. The second day I waved to teenagers. My thought was, the guys don't know that I don't know these people and they aren't going to attack me for the car keys in front of people that "know" me. Yes, I'm a nut, I know.
i have this exact same fear which was only heightened when i got on the website weatchdog.com and you can search registered sex offenders in your area… there were TWO living on my running route. I'm actually a little frustrated with this and i have mild freak outs in desolate areas so for the past month ive been running on the treadmill
I live by a nice running trail too and while we haven't had anything like that on the trail, last year in a neighborhood near mine there was a guy who was breaking into peoples homes and trying to attack young girls. Until the police caught him, I kept all my runs in daylight hours and stuck to the close streets near my home. I carry pepper spray on a keychain with me. It might do much, but, it might be enough to scare someone off! Stay safe.
I'm in the market for a treadmill myself, any advice??