Freaked out - women joggers in my area...

[lenshanem]

My Mom sent me an article of two woman joggers that had been assaulted in my immediate area. Both times the man tried to grab them and put them in his van.

I was shocked cause both incidents happened very close to my neighborhood, matter of fact when I looked at a map online I know about five families that live in the first neighborhood. It is off the same road!

I was so excited about signing up for my first half marathon and now I feel scared to go out running. DH and I run at different times cause of the kids and his work hours (Plus, he is faster than me.) and I can't seem to find a running partner or group!

I'm so upset right now... Should I get some mace? What do any of you do?

I thought I was being smart not running in the parks, even if my neighborhood was boring me to death, but this first attack was in a neighborhood and the second off a major road in my area!

 

[lenshanem]

http://www.amazon.com/SE-0303OR-Power-Button-Orange-white/dp/B000CE8TWK/ref=sr_1_20/104-3877493-9679936?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1193433851&sr=8-20

Has anyone seen or heard anything about this product?

 

[TnTsParty]

wow that is scary Shan. Take care and protect yourself. Make sure you always know your surroundings. If possible workout on a treadmill until this creep is cought.

 

[andromedaslove]

Shan - My first bit of advice would be to NOT let them scare you out of running. My second is to make sure that when you are running that you aren't an EASY target. No head phones, keep your eyes up and stay aware of everything going on around you, carry a cell phone and/or mace. Also, make sure that you run facing traffic. It sounds like this person is trying to grab people and drag them into his vehicle. It's a little harder to do if the person is going to have to cross the street to get to you. Seriously, make a habit of noticing people, I look people in the eyes directly wether they pass me on foot or in a vehicle, I say hello to everyone I pass. I want them to KNOW I saw them, and that I will see them approaching if they dare. I NEVER run in the dark (I at least wait until the sun is rising). These are just some things I do to make myself feel safer, and I run on trails where there is no one around for miles sometimes. I hope some of the helps.

Dana

 

[Jen117]

Shan - I have been in a difficult situation all year and was told not to run because of someone in my family trying to target me (very mentally sick person). My DH went to Gander Mountain and bought me some pepper spray. He talked quite a bit to the sales person about it and there are 2 kinds. The low dose kind and the kind that Dog the Bounty Hunter uses. I got the second kind. It requires an ID to purchase it. Mine is small and is on a quick release key chain. I have it hooked to my hydration belt. I have not had anything happen to me, but just having it makes me feel a whole lot better.

Also like Dana said, I never run with headphones and I always observe people around me. If you don't make yourself a target, you are much safer. PM me if you want any additional info.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks everyone. The first incident happened at 7:30 in the morning and that is around the time I run - after I drop the girls off from school. I'm still in shock, cause that is a busy area and in the morning we have alot of commuter traffic around here. I thought that was a good time to run cause there are so many people out.

I'm gonna get the mace. We don't have Gander Mountain?, what other type of places carry this?

I'm also gonna try to order that alarm button, but it looks like this is mostly a UK type item. I found two places that carry it in orange here, but I sure would like the pink cause that is the color of my water belt and about everything else I have. I know, stupid. For now, I'm gonna get the mace.

It is gonna be hard to run w/o the head phones, but I've done it a couple times before. I unfortunately run faster w/o music for some reason so I'm really gonna have to watch my pace so I don't wear out.

We have a dinosaur treadmill, but the thought of getting on it makes me want to cry.

I've become like the gadget girl. I feel like I have so much hanging on me now, especially now that it is cooler in the morning. I definitely prefer summer.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice. So do you all think I should stay running in my neighborhood or go to some major roads and run on the sidewalk facing traffic? Since I just signed up for my first half I'm gonna be increasing my miles more than I ever had before. Wow, this really took the excitement out of the half for me.

I'm going to a running store to get new shoes probably Tuesday, maybe I'll ask about some running groups. I've searched online to no end.


Jen, prayers for your family.

 

[lenshanem]

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductZoom.asp?productID=884

What do you think of this? Would this be easier? Or should I get the kind that attaches to my water belt?

 

[lenshanem]

Found the pink personal alarm on ebay and ordered it. The running store I'm going to on Tuesday to buy some new shoes told me they carry the runner's mace with the velcro strap. I've really been evaluating my runs and I'm gonna make some big changes. I was not being as safe as I could be. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

 

[Jen117]

Shan, That looks like it would be easy to hang onto. If it will make you feel safer, I would definately get it. Mine is about that size, but it hangs from my fuel belt. It has a quick release so I just yank it off if I need to. Mine is also bright red so people see it on me. Good Luck to you!

 

[princessrunner]

Shan, I have a lot the opposite problem. I run alone on a back road (I live in the sticks) and we have a lot of, shall we say, odd people traveling on my road. I run with 1 headphone in and tuck the other one away. The other thing that has helped me is my Garmin. I tend to watch it and not pay attention to the music. Fortunately for me, I have self defense training and I am not afraid. I think that is more the key than anything else. Make eye contact and do let them know that you saw them and always be ready. I think the more you run/walk the more you get a feel for the really creepy people and watch them. You need to get the "gadgets" that make you feel more comfortable. For me, my phone (with camera to take a pic) and knowing that it can be GPS'd make me feel better. And remember, it can happen in a parking lot just as easy. Never stop running and don't give up your goal!!!!