To run, on my own, without a phone

[FurtherSupport]

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?

[standingonlego]

I only take my phone because I need it for runkeeper

[Pippioddstocking]

Same as disco moo . I often go out for a few hours and can never predict exactly which route I will take . I use the app endomondo so DH can track me if he hasn't heard from me or I'm late home .

[achieve15]

FurtherSupport "But running and long walks are about getting away from it all and not having to deal with anything for a little while"

yes, but I take mine with me have it on silent. That way, I can use it if I need to but I don't take calls or listen to any message beeps.

I have broken my foot before though so I prefer to have it with me. I wasn't alone when that happened but I'd hate to be alone and have no phone to call someone to help me. I know you can ask passers by but I'd rather have my own phone on me.

[TryToEngageBrainFirst]

I'm old, so forgive me: When BT brought out phone cards (instead of using coins in their phone boxes) my dear dad (much missed!) brought home 3 and very seriously issued out 1 each to me, mum and Dsis, so that in the event of our being raped, we could crawl to the nearest telephone box and ring someone up to tell them about it. I tell that story a lot.

More seriously, my aunt (who lives in London) was on a walk (in outer London) and fell and (it later turned out) broke her arm. She couldn't walk for the pain, and needed an ambulance. Her DS had to run home (a couple of miles) and direct an ambulance to where she was and then they had to negotiate their way there.

My dad used to keep to funny hours, which my mum feels like she has to stick to. Consequently she walks dogs up v steep and slippery mud paths at 6am (or earlier). I have FORCED her to always take a phone, because if she slips and falls and can't get up in winter (when it's not light properly til 9) she is fucked.

Don't laugh at nature, it has a way of biting you on the ass!

[ErrolTheDragon]

That Running Buddy might be exactly what I need to deal with the pocketlessness problem.

[DiscoMoo]

Errol it's fab. Magnetic, so no horrible strap around the waist, doesn't budge at all even on the longest / fastest runs, big enough for my iPhone (I have a 5 but tested DP's 6 in it and it fitted fine), keys and gels.

[Dragonglass]

Like others, I take my phone for listening to music and mapmyrun. It fits in the pocket in the back of my leggings/shorts and I ignore any calls or messages until I am home.

[museumum]

I take mine to listen to podcasts but I've often had to use the map to find out where I am, where I went wrong, and how to get back

[museumum]

Omg DISCOMOO what a great product. Where did you buy yours (if you're in the UK)?

[intheenddotcom]

I run, hike and climb - mostly alone.

Hiking and climbing I take my phone as it's remote and if I do injure myself it would be helpful to have someone coming for me whilst I limp down.

Running I don't always take my phone. I use roads and paths where I usually see at least one other person, so if injured help would probably come along. As for attacks - a phone isn't going to stop it.

[PanGalaticGargleBlaster]

When I am out running I do see quite a few people with those enormous Samsung Galaxy phones strapped to their arms all lit up, kind of screams to any would be muggers 'hey everyone, I have an expensive phone'.

[hstar1995]

I take mine to listen to music when I'm running

[chrome100]

It would never occur to me to take my phone running! And I have run all over the country, through the fells and god knows where since I was 15. I've had things happen (get lost, fall over etc etc) but usually there'd be no one to call anyway. YANBU.

[CMOTDibbler]

I never take my phone out running, but I do take it cycling (in my saddlebag) as I can be a long way from home if I had a big failure. Though theres only dh to call, so if he's not around I just have to throw myself on the goodwill of a passerby anyway

[DiscoMoo]

DP ordered it for me from the U.S. as I've had it a while but there is a UK distributor now apparently.

[specialsubject]

I usually carry a phone but it is a useful small £10 job with a battery that lasts two weeks, not a fragile i-brick.

so it fits in a pocket and isn't a nuisance.

if you are stuck with your i-brick then perhaps consider a £10 cheapie as a backup?

but I agree, not essential.

[achieve15]

just a note I should have put in originally

when I broke my foot I could literally not have stood on it - I shudder to think what would have happened if I had. Fortunately I knew this instinctively and didn't try.

I just mention it because the idea that you might be able to limp along for help isn't necessarily the case. I'm not saying if I was alone, no one would have helped me, of course passers by would have helped, but to be in pain, in shock and have some stranger need to make calls for me would not have been a good scenario.

Also, if you are somewhere quiet and no-one is passing by,you'll have to crawl or sit there till someone finds you. I know sometimes people who have never had this kind of problem don't think about it, but it is worth thinking about, it does happen. Other friends have slipped while running and broken their ankles.

re running buddy, I have one, got it from Amazon. you might want to look at ebay and QVC as Lori Greiner has something that looks similar.

[meglet]

personally I wouldn't. I'm capable of defending myself (kickboxing) but just in case I injured myself I'd like to be able to contact someone or a taxi.

[Saz12]

If you're in an out-the way spot, you'll struggle to have a signal anyway - depending where you live and where you run, obv.

For where I live, I'd not want to rely on my moby as there's a good chance I'd be out of range. Much better to rely on myself.

[whatlifestylechoice]

There's no signal where I live and run anyway (very remote), so no point bringing a phone. Instead, I bring my two dogs with me. They might be more useful in case of an attack, but I'm pretty sure they would be useless if I had an accident. Lassie, they ain't.

[landrover]

Unbelievable that now we have the wonderful ability to contact somebody in an emergency, yet some people believe that they will never need it! Sad!

[CainInThePunting]

A mobile is not going to protect you.
If the worst happens and you are attacked by an opportunist they will probably take your phone anyway.

The only time I've dealt threatened out running, a mobile would have done nothing to protect me and I think the fact that I had no gadgets; no mobile, no watch, no nothing meant I was not worth the hassle. They scared me but then left me alone.

[CainInThePunting]

*dealt or felt

[ElkeDagMeisje]

Unbelievable that now we have the wonderful ability to contact somebody in an emergency, yet some people believe that they will never need it! Sad!

I find it unbelievable that it wouldn't occur to ask someone for help, using voice activated technology, aka speech out of the human mouth. Possibly by knocking on a door or asking a passer by. If on a distant mountain, you're unlikely to get a signal anyway. That's more like a manifestation of an anxiety disorder than an actual need.

I seriously cannot believe that people go out running carrying phones and space blankets! Its like my inlaws, they spend so long getting ready to go out into the garden or on a walk, by the time they're all wrapped up in wet weather gear, its gone sunny and they have to change again. Repeat ad infinitum.

[fackinell]

I would take one, at least if anything happened you could possibly be tracked on GPS.

I'm a bit paranoid though, things seem to follow me around. I lived in Islington when the Clissold park and dismembered body in the canal murders took place, Twickenham when the Green murder happened and worked next to Richmond park when that one happened. Even my quiet home town has had 3!!

I also promise I'm not dodgy, it was pure coincidence.

Just take a phone.