I want to go running but I'm scared.

[WunWabbit]

I don't know if I'm being stupid.

I 2ant to start couch to 5k. I think it might help with my anxiety as well as my health.
You need headphones and I'm scared to go running with them on.

I live near a large field which would be perfect but it's surrounded by trees so can be a little isolated at times.

I don't really want to run on the streets, I'd feel like an idiot (am very unfit/get very red when out of puff) and have had van men shout things when I've tried jogging previously.

But then I'm scared of running alone on a field.

Do other women feel like this or am I just being paranoid?

Just wear one ear piece and keep the other ear free.

I rarely run anywhere isolated.
Tbh no one has ever shouted at me, but I always wear ear phones so maybe I never heard.

@WunWabbit don’t be put off, if it’s still light and before 8pm I would run with one ear bud in only. After 8pm is a bit more sceptical.

Do you have a local Facebook group? You could always ask if there is a running group or someone else who would want to join you. Someone did this recently round here and had said very beginner and women want to join and a few people replied.

Is the field a public area? I did C25k last year and didn't want too many people to see my unfit, red faced, sweaty self either so I didn't want to run on the streets.

I ran instead around a public playing field. I ran in the mornings and it was quiet enough that I didn't have to run past people, but there were always a few dog walkers out on the field or another runner or two so I never felt unsafe.

Do you have a fitbit, or could anyone lend you one - or a similar type of watch? You can set it to beep at set intervals. I am sure you could do the same with your phone if you download an app. Don't let this be an excuse - millions of people go out running everyday, it is actually so very rare that something goes wrong. You say there is only a field and a housing estate - surely there's something beyond that? I promise, no one is looking at you!

Of course, the best thing is to not to give a flying (running?!) fuck what anyone thinks, but I know that’s easier said that done.

Things I reminded myself before setting off:

• almost nobody is actually going to notice you at all. I won’t say none - you experience van man arsehole, but honestly - most people won’t notice you.


• when I was red and out of breath I said to myself: these people will just assume you’re hardcore and just pushed it hard. They don’t know it’s just the result of 90 seconds 😉


• interval training is a thing. If I’m walking, it’s not cos I’m rubbish, it’s cos I’m following a programme, I’m a proper athlete!


• no-one knows if you’re on a recover run or last short run before yesterday or tomorrow’s big event!

And the important one: you’re doing better than the person sat on their arse at home!!

Of the people who do seem to look at you, most will be thinking “good for her” or “wish I could get over my fears and do it”.

If you're scared to run alone have you thought about running with others? Are there any local running groups? They often do group C25K courses. Local independent sports shops are good sources of info too.

Or, if you'd rather join a virtual group there are some lovely nationwide running clubs on Facebook that also have regional Facebook groups you can join. For example RunMummyRun is really supportive. You might even make a friend in your area you can run with.

There might be a beginners C2 5K group near you? I’m quite rural, but there a PT in the next village who has C2 5K groups star every 2 or 3 months, women’s only ones as well as mixed. Local running club usually has them in January each year, but bigger/mixed groups. Maybe ask a FB local group ?

I run alone rurally, with bone conducting headphones.

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Also I totally recommend Aftershokz bone conducting headphones. They don't go in or over your ears, you can hear your surroundings perfectly and they're really simple to use.

You can quite often get a second-hand pair on Facebook (the RMR pre-loved group is fab for this) so you won't need to shell out full price.

However large the field is it’s going to get extremely boring going round and round it in circles for 5km a day. You’ll definitely need somewhere else to run to keep your motivation going. 5km is a fair way from home, add in the warm up and warm downs and you can be miles away in not very long once you get going.

I run everywhere, remote hills, woods, fields, parks, in the dark, headphones in, wherever but I get uninvited comments running in the street EVERY time I run. Usually from men. It pisses me off. To be honest though putting my headphones in is the best way to keep me safe because if I can’t hear the comments I don’t have to stop running and challenge random men several times per run about being sexist pricks.

Running in the middle of nowhere is much better for my blood pressure.

As you are starting or wanting to start perhaps look for a football field that you can run around - you can run along the long sides and walk the short sides - it's an easy way to start and you can count how many laps you do - it'll be nice soft ground and this type of interval training (stopping and starting) is something even experienced runners do - hopefully you won't feel self conscious stopping. You can work you way up to running whole laps and still mix up whole laps and intervals. I always used to take an mp3 player (smaller and lighter and much larger capacity for music storage) but I only ever had one ear bud in - it kept me connected to the environment around me. I never ran on roads or tarmac - softer on your knees and not breathing in exhaust fumes. Canals are great places to run too - basically flat with the odd lock providing a short incline - they are popular places for runners.

Can you get to a gym? Use the treadmills.

I started running about 10 years ago when I hit 30. At that time I lived in a big city. I run with one headphone on and one out and tucked round my bra strap. I’ve just got some bone conduction headphones and they are amazing! I now live in the country and run on paths so rarely see anyone. In the city I once had some teenage kids shout at me in many years.
I also joined a women’s running club and did a 5k course with them and then an improvers course. I don’t run in the dark apart from with running club. Parkrun is also great, you can run/walk or just walk it.

Can you try bone conducting headphones? You can hear your surroundings that way.

How you doing OP?

I went for a run this evening. Didnt leave until 8.45pm but it was passably light until I got back at 9.45pm (incorporated voting and popped to the shop for something for tea on the way home)

it went street /field/moor/field/street/park/street, a little under 5k because I needed to hoik back to vote. But no comments no shouts (headphones all the way!)

YANBU
I rather shouts than the alternative...

My ex was a cop and would tell me that female joggers (early morning one's in particular ) were a regular target of crimes. Not many people around, isolated green parkland and the fact that joggers often keep a routine.

It's London area I'm referring to but can't be that much different elsewhere (unless deeply rural? )

I still remember my mum teaching me not to take any "shortcuts" in the early hours or late but keep to the main roads.
I still do to this day.

I live in a rural area and ran 5 miles last night, 9- 10pm, it's great, just wear reflective and know your green cross code, use your torch and I like to have headphones!

Catch a bus to somewhere 5 miles from your home then just make your way home as fast as you can - pretend you have an important message or leave a reward at home for yourself before you go.

Sorry, are we just ignoring the fact someone can't go for a run because of fucking men in vans? In 2022? Bastards

I wouldn’t worry about running around a field in the slightest, unless it’s known to be a dodgy location? If you are worried though look at home conducting headphones, basically sound goes through your bones rather than in your ear so you hear other noises easily. I use them running in the city so I can hear traffic noise, and when I need Google maps directions biking. DH got them to listen to podcasts when we had a baby so he could easily hear her.

I run and use Air by Aftershotz. You can hear what's going on around you along with music. I wouldn't like to wear conventional headphones as I like to feel some connection to my surroundings. C25k is absolutely brilliant, I hated running, I'm now on week 7 and loving it

Headphones are not good for running or cycling, they block your senses which are there for a reason, as a way of detecting danger. Headphones prevent the user from full awareness of what's going on around them.

Can you try going out in the early morning when the roads are quiet and fewer people about, if you're self-conscious. Honestly, once you've been out a few times you'll realise that nobody is interested in you personally, they are going about their own business.

Not ignoring the dangers. I rely on my other senses because I'm not gonna alter my decisions out of fear.

I catch a bus to my martial art lesson which warms me up nicely for both running and self defense.

That's why I love to run at night, I can see cars coming better. As an aside the air's cleaner too! I'm not wanting to offend anyone who's scared though - I wouldn't want to run in London at night. That's also why I wouldn't want to live somewhere like that though.

I run with headphones in all sorts of environments, urban,countryside etc. I refuse to live my life being scared of the small chance I'm going to get attacked. Driving down the motorway is more dangerous