How do you stay safe when running?

A policeman friend of mine recommends wearing a referee's whistle on a lanyard. That's all I've got.

Fantastic

Whilst I get your concerns please reconsider.

I did C25K and it was one of the greatest achievements of my life. at the time I lived in suburban N London. Always ran first thing; got it out the way and was nice to be amongst early morning commuter human traffic, but not too busy.

Please do this.

And for fucks sakes, scaremongering about headphones...put yourself in the position of the OP UndercoverBanana.

Don't give up!!

You'll get such a lot out of it - that is certain. It's very, very likely that you'll do so safely, with no real problems encountered.

It's like anything else in life - work out the best/safest/most comfortable way to do it. Please don't cut out something that will give you huge physical and mental health benefits just because of remote "what ifs".

And to the PP putting down the idea of varying your route - why is it a bad thing to vary your route? You'd soon get bored running the same miles several times a week, over and over again... the variety is important to maintain interest, not to mention different types of terrain and training... I always mix it up.

I take my phone because I use Runkeeper, but instead of having it in an armband, I keep it in a pouch with my keys. I work out routes ahead of time so I know where I'm going. You could also try one earphone which would help.

I'm sorry if anything I've said has put you off - that was totally not my intention. It is good to be aware, but please don't let it stop you. I only started running a couple of years ago but I really enjoy it.

Im surprised by the amount of dont wear earphones advice Im seeing on here. I thought most runners wore earphones. I dont, but I am wierd and its just what Im used to.

Please dont be put off. Running is awesome. Definately my favourite form of exercise (I also do weights and bootcamp/circuits)

I've been running and walking alone for 22 years. Favourite routes are in countryside. Never a problem. I don't wear headphones so aware of what's going on. Never felt threatened. wouldn't tend to go at night but have walked at night alone and with other people.

Fuck me, way to put women off exercising.

In fact, way to put women off leaving the house.

I loathe all this emphasis on 'safety' for women's running/cycling/walking etc. Just get out there and live like men do. Free as birds.

I have bone conduction headphones for exactly this reason, DH bought them for me for Christmas as they're not cheap BUT it means I'm able to hear people around me.

As for the advice to run very early morning; I studied Criminology at uni and read several qualitative studies into rapist's habits where they specifically said they 'hunted' around 6-8 am as few people would be about. It's always stuck with me.

I tend not to go out on my own at night, bit other than that if you'd walk somewhere I don't see running as higher risk and as a PP pointed out I'd expect a runner to be less of a target.
In regards to headphones, from a safety perspective only having one in is a good choice, you should be aware of your surroundings whether that be traffic or someone coming up behind you.

Don't get put off, I've been running for 2 years now and I love it, feel like it's genuinely changed my life..

Well said Hatie.
OP, please don't give up. Runners don't carry money, credit cards, valuables etc (other than phones), so why the assumption that somehow running is dangerous?

Do the people who advise telling people your route, varying times, carrying weapons, being tracked etc take these precautions when walking to work, doing the School run or taking the kids to the park?

I don't understand why people assume that going out of your house suddenly becomes more dangerous when you are exercising.

Ooh please don't let this thread put you off running. You just need to make a reasonable assessment of the risk based on your route and the environment and then put some sensible plans in place. Absolutely no need to not go running. If you life live on that basis you won't ever leave the house to do anything!

ps: should elaborate: I got jumped when I was walking down a road on an errand, nothing to do with running! Who is going to jump a runner? A runner is obviously fit, strong & highly alert. Not a good target for creeps.

No, don't give up! I run and walk in secluded areas a lot and I don't wear headphones because I like to be able to hear what's going on around me as well as for safety. I'm in outer London and I have been catcalled, which is annoying, but as long as you're aware of what's going on around you, you should be fine.

It's not really a lot of effort OP. These are standard running club etiquette that are for safety of self and others.

With regard to headphones - you can't race with them or you face banning from events, so what purpose do they serve on your training/leisure/fartlek runs?

I've run for years. I go at about 6 in the morning, always run the same route and say 'morning' to the same people out walking their dogs. I wear headphones and have my phone with me. I always run in suburban areas. My mother has also run for about 25 years in very isolated rural areas and has never had a problem.
I am no more concerned than I would be if I were walking to work. Yes I have my phone with my but I don't have my bag with my purse, far more likely to mugged for my bag.

Yes be sensible but don't feel you have to run carrying knives.

For me much of this advice on thread is OTT. I suppose it makes sense in some places. Also, I have had people tried to jump me & I pushed them off & chased them off down the street. I don't want trouble but I'm not worried about it, either.

I sometimes remember to bring a phone, Fantastic. Or tell DH where I went. That's in case I come across someone having a heart attack, or might then be back late, not for my own safety. I don't do any of the rest of the safety advice posted here.

I'm at an age where the hecklers would be repulsed if I blew them a kiss, though.

Although it won't stop an attack strava is a really good app that as well as tracking your run will allow someone you nominate to track you in live time. They can follow you on a map and will know if you stop unexpectedly. It gives a bit of peace of mind that someone if looking out for you and will know to act if you stop running or go of course. Also useful incase you fall or injure yourself. You can also buy an clip on panic alarm to wear and they aren't expensive .

From all this, I get the impression that things are probably quite different depending on the area / routes that you are on... Some of these precautions sound a bit OTT to me, but I'm in a small market town and run in parks, residential roads, and in to the country just outside town -
quiet but not hidden/secluded or heavy traffic.

I did not think about being strangled with the headphone wires
I second telling someone your route and predicted time.

I use bone conductors. No wires and not in your ears so you can still hear.

Advice about not wearing headphones etc. feels a bit over cautious to me, and could also be seen as victim blaming.

I run alone, at night, in secluded areas and never tell anyone where I am going because I choose my route as I go along. I also wear headphones but take them out or turn them down if I'm on a road so that I can hear the traffic. I take a head torch, but mainly so I can avoid dog shit.

The only trouble I have ever encountered has been comments/whistles from stupid men. This has only happened in more well lit and populated areas.

Join a running group. Most of them welcome beginners. Us runners are a friendly lot (mostly)

I live in the country and love a good 8-10 mile run on my own. Just me, on my own, with no-one about. I really dont fancy running in built up areas as I think that is where Im most likely going to get into trouble (mugging, raping etc)