To want to go for long walks and jogs alone in the countryside?

[LittleMoonbuggy]

I'm genuinely interested in different opinions on this.

Partly due to being an introvert, I've always loved going for long walks alone (sometimes jogs but mostly walks) in the countryside, often far from any houses and don't see another person for ages. For say 1-2 hours each time.

I usually listen to music whilst out and sometimes am conscious that I could be vulnerable to attack, particularly in remote places and if listening to music. Sometimes I carry a mini bottle of deodorant to spray in the eyes of a potential attacker but mostly I guess I tend to think that the vast majority of people are decent and wouldn't hurt others and don't let it get in the way of what I enjoy. I never go out at dark/dusk btw.

I mentioned that I enjoy doing this to a woman about 20 years older at work, she looked visibly shocked and said that going off on my own was 'asking for trouble' and I was lucky I haven't been attacked!

Do you ever go out on your own like this, or do you think it's too reckless?

I've done this loads. I used to train for marathons alone, often running 4 hours on a Sunday in the countryside. I also trained for a long walk last year, up to 25 miles on the Moors. It's fine. Just be sensible and carry a phone if going somewhere remote.

I sometimes go for long-ish walks by myself in the countryside near where we live. An hour, half a day, even the whole day occasionally. So do lots of women I know. Or they run, or cycle. I've never worried about it at all and don't take any form of defence with me! Very very unlikely for anything to happen. Far more dangerous to drive i'm sure.

I've done loads of walking and running in the countryside on my own, including walking for 2 weeks at a time. I've never had any trouble, it's very unlikely that there will be someone lurking on the off chance that a lone femail comes past, I think that's more likely in places where there are more people. Don't let other people's comments stop you or spoil your enjoyment, they probably wouldn't say that to a man.

Much safer in the countryside than in most city centres I would think. If you're concerned, text someone when you are leaving and then check in with them when you get back, so someone would know if you did fall or something. You can also get an app called watch over me which does essentially the same thing.

Not a bad idea to either keep the music volume low, or just wear in one ear so you are a bit
more aware of your surroundings. Or get a big dog

I used to run in the country all the time. What stopped me was coming across two men who just terrified me, although they did nothing to explain this feeling. obviously all was fine but I've never felt terror like it from just looking at someone and I can't bring myself to run alone anymore. The point of my story is that the worst thing that's ever happened to me in years of walking/running alone is getting a bit silly one day and possibly interrupting a drug deal as I can think of no other rational explanation

I'd totally do this. Actually, I do go on walks on my own, but the area is rather densely populated, one will meet other people. (Which is, in a way more dangerous) So not sure if that counts.

Rapists are not sitting in bushes all day, waiting for a victim to jog along. A national park is, in my opinion, perfectly safe in that regard. A park in the city less so. Countryside should be reasonably safe.

Most women still get into heterosexual relationships, which are the number one risk factor for being raped.

It makes zero sense to stop doing something you enjoy a lot just because there's (perhaps) a very small risk attached to it, just because some old woman deems it an acceptable way of reducing your individual risk of being raped ... pretty sure she wouldn't say the same about getting married!

This is crazy!
I go for early morning runs down by a canal, very peaceful and beautiful, so quiet in the mornings. Worst I ever came across was a porno shoot
Elsewhere there is a large lake I go and walk around when it's sunny, again so peaceful, I love being near water.
Carrying round a deodorant is a bit odd isn't it?!

the Lin and Megan Russel hammer attack sticks firmly in my mind. That was out in the country and seemingly random

I frequently go hill walking in my own. Have never had any concerns.

I'm planning on walking from Mexico to Canada on my own in a few years time and am worried about snakes and Bears but not humans.

I love running/walking/cycling on my own. No qualms at all but I wouldn't use earphones. Never have, just don't like them, I like to hear the nature around me

I live in the country, and go out alone in quiet places every day with the dog. It has never occurred to me to feel nervous. Surely if someone is hell-bent on attacking a woman, then they're going to lurk somewhere where there are actually a few of them around, rather than the middle of nowhere?
I sometimes see other people, often other solitary female dog walkers or joggers. It's fine.
Don't let fear ruin your enjoyment.

I have also done this for years. I wouldn't use headphones though. I have a dog.

I have only ever encountered problems in city areas eg canal paths. Never on the lonely hills. Touch wood!

There is a risk of falling etc so I make sure I'm prepared

MumOnTheRun that was a horrific, but thankfully very rare incident.
I remember my mum phoning me telling me not to walk from my small village to the next, larger one about 2 miles away over some fields with my two very small children after it happened.
It did make me think twice at the time, but not now. There have been probably hundreds of murders of women since then, but none, to my knowledge, randomly in the countryside.

The greater hazard in the countryside is a fall and injury.

Nothing is risk free.

An alarming number of people end up in hospital following accidents while getting dressed. I still decide to get dressed each day. Some days I'll go for a solo run in the countryside after I've survived getting dressed unscathed.

There are some places I'd be cagey about going to on my own. Realistically the greatest stranger danger is men to men on a night out from fights.

it's about the usual risk assessment thing isn't it

benefit large (lonely walk means a lot to you)- risk small: no brainer

otoh when it comes to my popping across the road to get some chocolates yesterday afternoon:

benefit small (didn't really need them)- risk moderately large (of being run over or suffering health problems due to overingestion)

but I bet your friend wouldn't have told me I was asking for trouble

Well I've been walking my dog round the countryside for years and I'm alright. Never occurred to me to be wary of it.

If someone said this to me I would just assume they were a bit weird and feel inwardly superieior fir not thinking such hogwash. I am curious why you didn't just brush off what she said?

I do similar and have never worried. I think there's much more risk of turning an ankle, pulling a muscle etc.

Make sure your phone's charged in case you do hurt yourself. For that reason, I have a £10 un-smart phone so I don't have to worry about it in the rain and my iPod is using a different battery.

no, i do, with my dog, and think about a stick if I am worried, otherwise I have the dog lead in my hand.
Carry a stick op

I did fall and break a bone but managed to get home, people say, Take a phone but I dont often, its a bit bulky.

Blimey, I've never thought myself as being vulnerable when on one of my epic rambles. We've just moved to a rural village, I'm very excited about all the walks I'll take alone, listening to my music, enjoying the introversion!

My DH finds it odd that people would like walking alone, or even walking listening to music, but then he's odd to others ;)

I'm looking forward to starting jogging too! Good for you, enjoy

I love to too OP.

I was attacked by a stranger with a knife as a young teenager and it has made me very nervous to go out alone in areas where I could be vulnerable.

But I would still encourage you to do the things you love. We didn't have phones back then and the sensible head on me says that any potential attacker wants a quick escape plan too and the countryside just isn't the place. I would rather walk countryside alone than a quiet lane in a built up area.

Of course YANBU I've done the same alot in the past.

In the past if I went out for the night in our local town with friends I'd walk back home,some times I was on my own and that would be about 2-3 in the morning and would take me about 45 minutes.
I was always fine.

Also I was once told that most attackers are opportunists rather than those who go out and wait for a "victim" all day.

I think The risks to you are very slim.