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?

I got as far as downloading the app for C25K but started having issues with hip pain so I am sticking to core strengthening exercises now. I would have had similar concerns to you though, OP, about safety.

Running in your estate without headphones sounds about the most sensible plan that others have recommended though.

Some headphones offer a setting that lets you hear the outside world as well as your music etc, bang and olufsen do them definitely but I’m sure there must be others.

as for the rest, I run some lunchtimes and feel safe but I mostly run early evening round the streets. Headphones make it easier to tune the dickheads out. Tbh I rarely get comments or I don’t hear them if I do and I’m a sweaty, red faced tomato by the end.

Totally not being unreasonable, women are more unsafe than men “out there”, it’s just a fact of life.

I don’t even run that much and I’ve been shouted at (by men obviously) from vans and bypassers, pushed/shoulder barged, had dogs jumping up at me, been blocked in the path and been followed (purposefully or not I don’t know but it was scary at the time).

I got a big dog. A lot of American women runners wouldn’t even consider stepping out on trail running without a gun. I’m not saying I agree with that in any way at all, but if it actually makes you safe then..:I can understand why they do it.

Do it. Best thing I've ever done for my mental health. I have been running for a few years. I have had white van men shouting, general leery comments from men. I ignore them or give them my best fuck off look and then run a bit faster. I stick very close to where I live, make sure I tell DH my route before I go.

Stupid Q: can't OP have earbud in one ear & no earbud in other ear. Hear instructions but also hear world around her.

I run in some quiet places but wouldn’t want to run in that location. In your situation I’d run on pavements and try to set aside concerns about what people might say.

I find running brilliant for mental health

I wear headphones with the volume on low, vary my routes and make sure that I have shared my location. I stick to roads and well lit ones and/or wear reflective gear if it is dark. I’m currently building up to 10K and no one has ever made any comments more people being encouraging. Other runners always smile when you pass and generally if I’m being overtaken (frequently as I’m not fast) you quite often get a you’ve got this, keep going. It really does help your mental health and well being. Go for it!

Daisychain - so should one not even wear headphones for walking!

You are absolutely not being unreasonable. I won’t even walk the dog in an isolated spot as I’m afraid of something happening to me. I would rather be in the road and risk someone taking the piss out of me than go somewhere isolated and out myself at risk. These are things that men never need to think about.

I totally get where you are coming from. I’m a regular runner - luckily I live near a big park - but even there, there are times I feel wary: early runs on a winter morning for example. Our park has street lighting but parts of it are in total darkness before sunrise. I love the solitude of a dawn run but If I’m feeling anxious I tend to run with one headphone out so I can hear anyone approach from behind. I also always take my phone so I can call someone if I feel unsafe. Usually at that time the only people about are dog walkers and sometimes harmless drunk people that are airing out after a night out.

I don’t run with headphones, but understand how you feel. I live rurally and run on cycle paths but I feel really safe doing so, but a few years ago I lived in a city bordering a park and I was worried of hassle.
Could you run early in the morning? I got scolded by a neighbour (city) for running at night as she told me no bad things happen early in the morning, so I should go then instead 😂 But in a way she was right, 9am on a Saturday generally won’t have gangs of yobs loitering who would shout stuff. Probably only dog walkers/other runners/sports folk concentrating on what they’ve got going on. I started running early and I am in no way a morning person but got no comments/hassle at all.

Agree with the posters who say get aftershocks or a rip off version - I feel a lot safer with them on as you can s till hear everything going on around you as well as the music plus they are so comfy. Agree with maybe walking the field first (in fact week 1 is mostly walking) but really if you go in daylight the chances of something bad happening to you is very very low. You've heard of one incident in your local field, and how many people use it daily?

People shouldn't use the fact that women very very occasionally are attacked to mean "women,stay inside and never leave your house, outside is dangerous", but instead a way of evaluating and reducing risk before doing something. So go in day light, tell someone where you are and how long you expect to be,make sure there's an easy exit and you aren't in an enclosed space, don't wear noise blocking earphones etc.

Haven’t read all the replies so someone may have suggested already, but have a look at bone conductor headphones. You can still hear everything around you while listening to music/the app.

How much of this is nerves about whether you’ll be able to complete the programme? I’ve definitely made all sorts of excuses to myself when I’m trying to avoid something I might find hard.

I agree with posters suggesting using one earphone and going early in the morning. Why don’t you commit to just trying a walk around the area tomorrow? You’ll never know how you really feel otherwise.

I did c25k as a New Years resolution and it really is a great route into fitness and feeling healthier mentally. There’s a support thread on the exercise board right now where I’m sure you’d be very much welcomed for chat and encouragement.

Really good luck to you.

Running groups often run couch to 5k programmes for beginners. Is it worth contacting some locally and seeing if they do it? Every runner starts somewhere and are a very supportive group as a whole. When i've done races there are walkers to almost pro runners. When i'm limping up a hill gasping for breath being lapped by them they always give me some encouragement. Remember, if you are out and doing something you are going faster than someone on a sofa!! When I did couch to 5k I just used one headphone. I did iton residential streets early in the morning. I figured no one would be watching but would hear me scream if I was in danger. Now I am a more confident runner I go off the beaten track but vary my routes so I'm not predictable. Good luck op.

i’m with @Momicrone on this. Statistically what is likely to happen to you? I have been running since I was 18, am now 45, probably an average of 4 times a week all around the world (London, rural like where I am now, Thailand, all over Australia, random places in the US that I didn’t know at all) and had not ONE incident. I’m of course not denying it happens, but it’s doesn’t happen to MOST people on MOST runs. Why not do something just because of the absolutely tiny chance some weirdo is out there? I couldn’t live like that. You’d never get in a car, go skiing, hire a bike on holiday, anything… just go for a run. It’ll change your life if you stick with it - the mental health benefits are phenomenal. Literally the only time I haven’t run is when I have been pregnant and I ALWAYS feel better for going.
do it! Don’t let fear ruin something amazing!

I have bone conduction earphones and they are great for running. Do you have a friend you could buddy up with?

Felt like you OP about feeling silly and not quite safe and wasn’t a good runner as a child. . Attempted c25K twice before finished the third time. Felt like a legend when I did. Aftershockz headphones are a game changer, also great for directions when cycling as can hear traffic/noises/people and instructions and music, Vital for confidence and comfort in my opinion is a really great pair of compression leggings and a decent sports bra and trainers that work for you, which aren’t always the most expensive. Before I got decent kit i felt everything wobble and uncomfortable. I love running now, on streets, in parks. I don’t go far - furthest has been 13km average is 3-5k. Am sweaty and red-faced and still fat. But I love how strong my body is now and it’s amazing for mental health. Do it. Experiment with different times of day in terms of business and routes and believe me most people don’t pay any heed to you, the rare ones that comment you can block out with the volume button. I am so glad I became a runner when I did the course, completely changed how I thought of myself as not sporty and spurred me on to do other things like weight training. I’m fit now and feel happier than ever, still don’t look sporty or even fit but I really am.

I didn't used to exercise at all as I felt very self conscious about being bright red and obese in front of people. Then I saw another obese, bright red, red-head running and thought if she an do it so can I! I decided there and then, screw anyone who takes the piss, at least I'd be out there doing it. So I got over myself and started to exercise.

I second all the suggestions above about running with one headphone in (and the other tucked in bra) or investing in bone conduction headphones. I do a mix of both of these depending on if I've remembered to charge up my bone conduction ones.

I'm conscious of safety so tend to run on the pavements around me or in busy parks but I choose not to look at people or listen to any shouts so if anything negative is directed at me I have no idea! I like to think instead maybe someone will see me and decide they can run just like I was influenced by the woman I saw that day. It takes work to focus on that as it doesn't always come naturally but it's definitely much healthier for me to focus in that direction so I continue to work at it.