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AIBU?

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Original poster

To run, on my own, without a phone

86 replies

FurtherSupport · 22/07/2015 21:46

It doesn't seem that strange to me, remembering a time when I had to go everywhere without a phone, but people keep telling me how dangerous it is.

I can't help thinking a phone won't actually protect me from anything:

  • What if you get attacked? It would be awful, but the phone won't stop it happening.

-What if you're injured? I'll limp home, or if it's that bad ask a passer-by or nearby house for help

-What if you fall and bang your head? As above, unless I'm unconscious, in which case how would I make a phone call?

OP posts:
Quasicrystals1456 · 22/07/2015 22:31

I take mine for listening to music/podcasts and distance tracking. Same for walking the dogs.

I've only taken up running recently though.

I have an armband so it's not in the way.
.in fact I wouldn't run without it now!

Sparklingbrook · 22/07/2015 22:31

For you maybe, but not for everyone FS. I personally just want to get some exercise into my day, not get away from it all particularly.

I don't think you have to justify not wanting to take your phone if you are happy with it.

whois · 22/07/2015 22:33

I take mine.
There's no way I'd be limping home all the way with a properly sprained ankle.
Always have a £20 and my phone on me when running. Just in case :-)

LadySharrowOfGolter · 22/07/2015 22:34

I never take my phone when out for a run. If I was going on a long walk then yes I would.

MissShunImpossible · 22/07/2015 22:36

I take money with me on longer runs too whois

I also have a parkrun card explaining who I am and who to call

www.parkrun-barcode.org.uk/parkrun-barcode-id-cards-pr1.aspx

Quasicrystals1456 · 22/07/2015 22:36

Oh what's the £20 for? Taxi?

ArgyMargy · 22/07/2015 22:36

YANBU. Nothing is that urgent; we've just all become scared of our own shadows. I've never fallen over & broken anything, or got mugged, or suddenly needed to speak to someone that couldn't wait.

Sparklingbrook · 22/07/2015 22:37

The one day I was glad to have mine was when I was walking and came across a cat that had just been hit by a car. I called DH and he drove down and we took it to the vets. Poor cat died on the way but we tried and I couldn't have left it there or carried it 3 miles home.

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 22/07/2015 22:38

Id carry money if I could use it, but running along country roads I can't just get a bus home. Money is a good idea though, but notes are better as they dont jingle.

MissShunImpossible · 22/07/2015 22:38

OK, you're now an hour and a half away from home. The phone rings saying your DD has fallen in sport and is being taken to hospital.

Yes, it could be dealt with without me. But no, I'd rather it wasn't! Personal preference, but not unreasonable.

Quasicrystals1456 · 22/07/2015 22:46

I run at 6am so nobody would ring me unless it was an emergency and then I'd definitely want to know about it!

Deliaskis · 22/07/2015 22:48

I only do short runs, between 5k and 10k, and live in a semi-rural but not completely rural area, so I'm never that far away or remit that I couldn't get home relatively easily or ask for help if needed. I have only ever twice run with a phone and it annoyed me both times, so I don't take mine, and always run alone.

So IMO YABU, but I have thought that if I were running longer distances, then I would probably take a phone...

Usernamegone · 22/07/2015 22:49

I never take my phone running! However I tend to run along popular routes with lots of joggers.

Deliaskis · 22/07/2015 22:50

Sorry typing errors on kindle, remit = remote, and should have said YANBU!

Saz12 · 22/07/2015 22:51

I usually take mine (unless I forget), but only because I have to carry my asthma inhaler so I may as well carry a phone as well.

I don't much see the point of the phone as if you're in an out-the-way spot you can't rely on a signal, and if you're somewhere with more passers-buy/ houses you could ask for help.

Ultimately, you're MUCH safer relying on your own self than relying on being able to call someone for help, though you might as well take it as not, if you've a handy pocket.

clary · 22/07/2015 22:51

I don't like carrying stuff when I run so I run without anything whatsoever except a clip-on MP3 player. If I were hit by a car I would be unidentifiable. Luckily I run mostly in my local area and everyone round here knows me so they'll be able to get me home :)

(I don't run for 3 hours tho! )

Birdsgottafly · 22/07/2015 22:53

""came across someone who needed help, I'd get them help, in any one of the numerous ways we used to do it before we had mobile phones.""

You wait a long time to get all the telephone boxes re-erected, I can remember always carrying ten pence pieces invade of emergency, now it's a pound!

Also, there used to be police on the beat, which always gets overlooked, when discussing "what we did before mobile phones".

tomatodizzymum · 22/07/2015 22:54

I've never considered running with my phone! I would probably drop it and it would be a pain to have it on me, even on one of those arm strap things. Plus I cannot actually see the point of it. I run close to the ambulance station, so I fugured if anything that bad happens I can go there in person and if I can't I probably couldn't use the phone either.

I run near it because it's on my route, not because I am a complete nervous freak!

Sparklingbrook · 22/07/2015 22:55

There's no phone boxes down the canal. Sad

Mehitabel6 · 22/07/2015 22:58

I run along the canal and never think to take a phone.

fredfredgeorgejnr · 22/07/2015 23:04

ID with a emergency phone - Yes, just in case.

Phone - Nope, not unless it was a very long run where distance could become far enough away that phoning to be picked up might be a consideration. Can't see the reason otherwise, when it's either emergency when someone will help, or you just hobble home.

ErrolTheDragon · 22/07/2015 23:08

If I run its along a canal. I don't usually take my phone, just doorkey and a tissue and carry iPod if I'm doing tabata intervals. But last time I went DH was at home and pestered me to take the phone. Small basic Nokia but it's a squeeze to fit in the little pocket on the back of my running bottoms. Running clothes just aren't designed for carrying anything.

Sparklingbrook · 22/07/2015 23:09

Well if any of you phoneless runners need help and to borrow my phone when we meet along the canal you are very welcome. Smile

HellRunner · 22/07/2015 23:11

you can get a Road ID bracelet with all your details if you are worried about being unidentifiable should the worst happen.

DiscoMoo · 22/07/2015 23:31

I always run with my phone, but it's always on silent. It's in my running pouch that clips onto my waist (called a Running Buddy).

I've used it when I got caught in a torrential storm - I literally couldn't see to run, so rang DP to come and get me.

I've fallen a few times. Last time I fell it was bad, I landed on my face and split my eyebrow, had a black eye, bruised my shoulder and bruised my kneecap / took all the skin off my knee. On that occasion I was a street away from home so did manage to hobble, but had I been further there was no way I would have been able to do it. I rang DP who was out, he came straight back and whipped me to the hospital for stitches.

I like to have the safety of my phone. I tell DP how long I anticipate being, and he can track me on his phone if he needed to - so if I was longer than the 90 minutes that I've said, he can track me to see if I am still moving and, should I be unconscious somewhere after falling again (or similar), know where I am.

I also sometimes like to stop and take pictures of the sunrise over the bay, or a funny dog, or a friendly horse.

On my long marathon training runs, I listen to podcasts and audio books on my phone to ease the tedium.