Runners - Safety?

[LuLuO]

Early last Sunday morning while I was out I witnessed a domestic violence incident at a house along my route and had to call 911. Two other runners stopped to try to diffuse the situation. I was across the main street and they were on the same side of the street as the guy who was going nuts. There was a woman holding a baby and she was screaming. He chased her inside the house and she was screaming.

After I called the cops, I headed for home rather quickly, looking over my shoulder the whole time. I wanted to stay, but I realized that I was pretty much defenseless. All I had was my phone and I was almost two miles from home. The guy saw me calling 911 and it was completely apparent what I was doing. You never know when someone is going to pull out a gun or even just beat the crud out of someone who is intervening in a situation like that.

So runners, what do you bring with you for protection? Pepper spray? Some kind of alarm? Some of the trails I go to are pretty much deserted because I go when the kids are in school. Not sure what safety precautions I should be taking.

ETA: Sorry Mods! I corrected my bleep. Oops!

 

[wvjules]

I never thought about running safety in my neighborhood until someone got robbed at knife-point while getting out of their car. Now I run with withi this. It is small and easy to carry while running. I never leave home without it. It is as much a part of my running as my shoes.

 

[hops&dreams]

I run through my neighborhood, so I never thought about it until I was at my MIL's house and running through an unfamiliar neighborhood. She lives in a safe area, it's just I didn't know it, you know? So I ran with my phone in my hand, rather than it's normal place in my waistpack with my epipen. I guess, in a pinch, my epipen could be a weapon, huh?

My friend says that in unfamiliar situations, she runs with her dog (who generally travels with her). It's a big Boxer, so it's likely that no one will mess with her.

I did, in my neighborhood, get bitten by a dog who had charged out of it's invisible fence. I didn't know what to do... so I just hobbled home and went back to the dog's house a few hours later, by car.

This post has got me thinking about it more. I mightbe ordering one of those pepper sprays, wvjules!

OP - I <3 the motivation in our siggie about the Hunger games... I'm totally going to be using that!

 

[glss1/2fll]

OP-I'm sorry you had to deal with all that on your run. I worry about safety, too. I almost always run with my dog, not that he'd be good for much! But it makes me feel a bit more secure.

 

[Ariel484]

I know this isn't quite what you're talking about in regards to safety, but I'd also suggest carrying something with basic identification/medical information. I have a RoadID that has my name, my husband's name/phone number, my age, blood type, etc.

I ordered this after reading about someone crashing on their bike and getting a concussion. That story along freaked me out enough to order this thing in case (God forbid) I need help and can't communicate for whatever reason. It's a scary thing to think about but it's always good to be prepared.

To the PP - thanks for the pepper spray link! I might be ordering one soon.

 

[SAHDad]

@Ariel - thanks for the reminder. I keep meaning to get a RoadID, but haven't done so yet.

I generally don't worry about it - partly because I am a guy (so yes, less worry there), but also because many of my runs are in fairly well-lit, populated areas. I do want to get a small air horn, however - too many motorists look to the left (and only the left!) when making a right-hand turn, and a couple of my routes have a couple of spots where, if I don't pay attention, I stand a real risk of becoming street pizza.

 

[FireDancer]

I don't bring anything with me, not even a cell phone, and I usually run at night. I just don't worry about it. YMMV.

I do wear a RoadID bracelet though just in case.

 

[steffaknits]

I carry this. It has an alarm on it also and clips to my waistband easily. Too bad it won't work on cars.

 

[kirstie101]

I carry this. It has an alarm on it also and clips to my waistband easily. Too bad it won't work on cars.

Thanks for the link! I dont carry anything with me when I run and this would be perfect if I could just clip it to my waistband.

 

[Tuffcookie]

When I go out with my dog, Gracie, I carry a small air horn. I used it once when a strange dog was approaching us. It worked and the dog ran in another direction.

I have a fear of carrying pepper spray. #1 You have to be pretty close to hit your target and #2 If the assailant gets it, he can use it on you.

TC

 

[snickerboo]

This is a good thread. I don't take anything but my key and my ipod. I don't even take my phone. I should probably do/take more. I do stay off the trails at times where they will be deserted. I try not to always run the same route at the exact same time of day. I never run at night at all. I just don't feel safe doing so alone.

OP-I hope the family were okay. You had to call the police-it was the right thing to do.