Keeping safe when running

[TheDarrellRivers]

I have decided that I would like to return to running after several years absence.
I used to really enjoy early morning runs along the local canal paths, but had my dog with me, which was great for safety.
Sadly he passed away, so can’t go with him now. How do other lone females keep safe? Is it just foolish to consider running in quiet places?
Would be really interested to hear what others are doing. TIA.

I wouldn’t run alone unfortunately, do you know anyone who would let you take their dog with you?

Hmm, I thought as much. I do have a local friend with a dog, but not sure how reliable the dog is for recall etc!
Thank you for replying.

I’d be wary of running on my own in the dark where you have described.

Check out Facebook to see if there’s a running group you can find a running mate with, or if not try to find times when the path has more people on it (are there dog walkers around etc), don’t listen to loud music (I go with one airpod in) and don’t be predictable/regular with your routes.

I run alone

If it's dark then I try to stick to routes with street lighting but not 100% of the time. My main concern is usually traffic rather than people so I alwears wear hi-viz and/or lights. I don't wear ear phones as I would prefer to keep my wits about me. It depends where you live of course but it's a shame if you can't go for a run due to fear.

I run on my own in the dark, working full time I have to if I want to run! I stick to well lit paths and pavements and wear lights and reflective gear, I also let the fam know roughly where I'm going and how long I'm likely to be. Ultimately I just do it I suppose

I always run alone. I don't do parks or unlit places after dark, but otherwise I just get on with it. I happily run through residential areas, although I'd probably avoid industrial or isolated ones. I wear reflective gear.

Stay away from quiet / isolated areas if you're on your own. Wear bright / reflective clothing and wear lights or head torch. Carry your phone discretely e.g. In a waist belt under your clothes rather than an armband. Don't wear earphones.

I run along a canal on my own but there are always a few people around. I stopped running along another route that I loved because it felt too risky. I think you have to go with your gut. And I HATE that we have to think about this!!

I wouldn’t run in an isolated area alone. It shouldn’t have to be like this but safety first.

I do run alone but I tend to choose main roads and busy residential areas. Always take my phone which has my location tracker on for DH

I also run with a friend sometimes and a running group. We do go more off track then though.

I have run occasionally in the dark, through quieter parts including woods near my house. I don't like it but in winter sometimes don't have a choice as the nights draw in faster.

I share my live location on WhatsApp with DH and my route so he knows where I should be at what point etc. Is there anyone you could do this with?

Same with one air pod in and I keep my phone accessible where I can hit the side button 5 times quickly which connects to emergency services.

I won't run for this reason ☹️

@ZoeTheThornyDevil

I always run alone. I don't do parks or unlit places after dark, but otherwise I just get on with it. I happily run through residential areas, although I'd probably avoid industrial or isolated ones. I wear reflective gear.

Ditto. I run between 5 and 7am (not continuously! I mean it varies from day to day) and keep to streets that are well lit. I’ve never felt threatened but perhaps I’m being naive.

@emmathedilemma

Stay away from quiet / isolated areas if you're on your own. Wear bright / reflective clothing and wear lights or head torch. Carry your phone discretely e.g. In a waist belt under your clothes rather than an armband. Don't wear earphones.

I do all of this if I run alone, I try to take sensible precautions as previous posters have said.

I’d also highly recommend joining a running club, a local run group or finding a running buddy via friends or local networks. I used to do night forest runs with two friends all winter in the dark, and it’s lovely. We just had the rule everyone stayed together, and we only did isolated routes as a trio with everyone having their phone on them.

I never run with people, it's very much a solo activity for me.

I frequently run at night and like others just don't run in parks if it's dark but otherwise go all over the place. I wear a fluorescent tshirt and if I go a long way will put my Strava beacon on for my husband.

I live rurally, so it’s run in quiet places or not run at all. I vary my route and share my location with my phone.

OP, can you get another dog?

I run alone, after dark etc. However, I avoid places where there are no escape routes and poor lighting - like canal paths and alleys. If I'm in town, I stick to well lit, well frequented roads and streets.

I'll happily run on the moors on my own in the dark, but I see that as different because it's deserted. Someone with bad intentions is far more likely to be in a badly lit street or towpath than up on the moor.

I am about to restart - I always thought my routes were safe but most included the last route Sarah Everard walked so am having to rethink a bit. I always used to preplan my route on mapmyrun and leave that open so DH knew where I was going and have iphone tracking on. I've also not run with anything in my ears for some time as I like to be aware of what is round me.

I think that I am just going to have to go with running along very busy well lit roads and save the nicer greener areas for daylight runs at times I know there will be plenty of families and other women around.

It annoys me so much that we have to think like this.

Another one for running alone here. I tend to let DH know when I'm going.

Depends on the day but I mostly stick to pavements where there are houses and I have a woolly hat for the really dark mornings/evenings that has a headlamp on as well for when I'm off more of the beaten track. I also have flashing wristbands as well.

Phone in pocket and headphones off noise cancelling so I can hear what is around me.

Huge shame that we have to think like this ahead.

I run alone but have Find My Friends and Strava beacon enabled so DP can see where I am if he’s staying at home.

Sometimes DP will run the opposite way to me when running a circular route, and we will cross paths halfway through which is reassuring.

I don’t run on the canal at night as it is unlit (and the paths aren’t great) and stick to the roads. I have a harness with lights on and a high vis hat which I always use.

I run, cycle, walk, backpack, wild swim and wild camp alone, in remote places and busy places. Rural. City. Urban. Wilderness. Night. Day. Winter. Summer. I’ve covered 10’s of thousands of miles with no issue (I live in England by the way). I don’t even think about it. We’re much more likely to be attacked in the home or workplace by someone known to us. If I was that concerned I’d carry an alarm (once I’d learnt how to use it) and do a basic personal safety course. I actually had to do this training for work and got issued with an alarm (I home visit). After that training it basically reinforced my belief that how I spend my free time is safe and work a zillion times more risky.