The Runner's thread

#5,778
#5,778
I have a question for you kind folks about night running safety and probably common sense. I apologize if this makes anyone uncomfortable, it is not my intent, I am just seeking the honest truth.

I am reading up about safe running at night, and I am getting kitted up with items to make me more visible to traffic. The more I search the issue the more I read about also taking potential attackers into consideration. And now I am thinking about getting some mace to carry when I run.

Is this an overreaction? Am I forgetting the fact that most of these night running safety articles are written with small women in mind, and not 6'5" black men? Do any of you all carry any sort of weapon or firearm when you run? I really think I may be overreacting, and that perhaps the people in the neighborhood and passerby's are probably more nervous about me than I should be of them?
 
#5,779
#5,779
I don't like to to run at night in general, but sometimes it can't be avoided. I avoid carrying as much as possible. I typically only carry an ID in a pocket somewhere. On long runs I might add a gel pack or some chews, but that's. If I realize I'm going to be running up on someone, I caution them as I approach them, "Hey, running by you on your left side," or something of the like.

I feel comfortable enough in the places I run to think that's all I need. Not sure where you are running though Nerd.
 
#5,780
#5,780
volfanbill said:
I don't like to to run at night in general, but sometimes it can't be avoided. I avoid carrying as much as possible. I typically only carry an ID in a pocket somewhere. On long runs I might add a gel pack or some chews, but that's. If I realize I'm going to be running up on someone, I caution them as I approach them, "Hey, running by you on your left side," or something of the like.

I feel comfortable enough in the places I run to think that's all I need. Not sure where you are running though Nerd.
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I run in south Knoxville. Which ain't exactly Baghdad but it isn't Disney world either. I've never had any bad encounters or anything and there are some nice houses where I run so I don't really feel like I'm taking a big risk. I just want to make sure I am using as much common sense as possible.
 
#5,781
#5,781
Nerd-Vol said:
I have a question for you kind folks about night running safety and probably common sense. I apologize if this makes anyone uncomfortable, it is not my intent, I am just seeking the honest truth.

I am reading up about safe running at night, and I am getting kitted up with items to make me more visible to traffic. The more I search the issue the more I read about also taking potential attackers into consideration. And now I am thinking about getting some mace to carry when I run.

Is this an overreaction? Am I forgetting the fact that most of these night running safety articles are written with small women in mind, and not 6'5" black men? Do any of you all carry any sort of weapon or firearm when you run? I really think I may be overreacting, and that perhaps the people in the neighborhood and passerby's are probably more nervous about me than I should be of them?
Click to expand...

Depending upon the area that you run if there have been robberies or attacks I don't think it would be an overreaction to carry mace or something of the like.

I had a situation two weeks ago that made me wonder if I should start to carry something. I usually run at the River Walk here in Chattanooga and it's a great place to run and have never had any problems before but the other day while I was running there was a homeless person or seemed to be homeless person try to stop me while I was running to ask me something. I had my head phones in so I don't really know what he was saying but just made me nervous about what his intentions might have been. Who knows he may have just wanted to ask for change but it did get me thinking about the possibilities of someone trying to attack me.
 
#5,782
#5,782
Nerd-Vol said:
I run in south Knoxville. Which ain't exactly Baghdad but it isn't Disney world either. I've never had any bad encounters or anything and there are some nice houses where I run so I don't really feel like I'm taking a big risk. I just want to make sure I am using as much common sense as possible.
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I've startled some people as I ran around them. I used to run around downtown JC and would probably freak one person out each run. For me, I've always been the one scaring someone. Now, a handful of times said person I scared chose "fight" instead of "flight", but I always managed to calm the situation down. I've yet to be in a situation where I felt in danger during a run, other than cars sometimes not paying me enough attention.
 
#5,783
#5,783
all that said, run with what makes you the most comfortable. I would feel so awkward if I was carrying anything on me that it would ruin my run. But I'm fairly certain if I felt so nervous and tense that I might be attacked, I would feel even more awkward not having some sort of defense.

If you don't feel comfortable during your run, your time/distance will suffer. We can joke that time doesn't matter, but we all know we are out there pushing ourselves to reach certain goals!
 
#5,784
#5,784
I don't run at night very often. I'm not worried about someone attacking me.

A. I can handle myself relatively well.
B. They'd have to catch me.
 
#5,787
#5,787
Most are treadmill miles because I hate running in the cold...still a good january
 

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#5,789
#5,789
So how do you guys measure your miles/times? Do you use a phone app or something?

Also, I'm thinking of setting a year long goal, but I don't know whats too much/little. Right Now I'm thinking 400 miles. It's only like 1.1 miles a day roughly, But trying to factor in this weather (like the past 3 weeks being too cold to run really) is making me wonder if that's a good/bad number.

Regardless, today I got in about 2.5 miles after not being able to do much lately.
 
#5,791
#5,791
Daloth said:
So how do you guys measure your miles/times? Do you use a phone app or something?

Also, I'm thinking of setting a year long goal, but I don't know whats too much/little. Right Now I'm thinking 400 miles. It's only like 1.1 miles a day roughly, But trying to factor in this weather (like the past 3 weeks being too cold to run really) is making me wonder if that's a good/bad number.

Regardless, today I got in about 2.5 miles after not being able to do much lately.
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I have the Nike+ TomTom watch and I log runs on mapmywrun.

400 miles a year comes out to just over 33 miles a month. I think you can do it. Worst case scenario is you set it for 400, get to June see that you're already at 295 so you up it to 600 or something right? Just don't set something outrageous like 1500.

I'm shooting for 1000. that's almost 20 a week. Will be tough, especially if I get inured or something.
 
#5,792
#5,792
Daloth said:
So how do you guys measure your miles/times? Do you use a phone app or something?

Also, I'm thinking of setting a year long goal, but I don't know whats too much/little. Right Now I'm thinking 400 miles. It's only like 1.1 miles a day roughly, But trying to factor in this weather (like the past 3 weeks being too cold to run really) is making me wonder if that's a good/bad number.

Regardless, today I got in about 2.5 miles after not being able to do much lately.
Click to expand...

I use the run keeper app on my phone. It seems to be pretty accurate.

It's always a good idea to set a goal. It gives you something to work towards and a sense of accomplishment. Just set it a goal that is obtainable. Good luck.
 
#5,793
#5,793
Have a headcold. Went ahead and jogged a bit. I hope I don't regret doing so? Do you all tend to stick with your runs when you are feeling under the weather?
 
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