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Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

Would you run in the dark?

116 replies

Pineapplepyjamas · 23/09/2021 22:30

Another terrible murder, early in the evening, has made me reconsider my running safety.

I’m extremely cautious in all aspects of my life, but didn’t used to think anything of running in the dark winter evenings - say about 7pm. Through city streets, not parks.

Would you run in the dark? How dangerous do you think it is?

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 23/09/2021 22:32

Yes, but only on certain routes. But that's true for solo runs during daylight too

And definitely only with bone-conducting headphones or none at all, so I can hear what's happening around me

LongDissidence · 23/09/2021 22:33

I would never have hesitated a year or so ago. Naive perhaps. But yes, now I would avoid running in the dark, or alone. Would run with company in the dark. But I hate running with others, so I guess that leaves me daytime running only. Which in winter means pretty much weekend running...

I wish the world were a different place

Original poster
Pineapplepyjamas · 23/09/2021 22:41

Whilst the thread is up please can I also ask for your views on cycling the dark? (City roads, 8pm)

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Chesneyhawkes1 · 23/09/2021 22:44

I run in the dark. Sometimes I have to run at odd hours. It's never really worried me.

I'd love to trail run in the dark with a head torch, but I'm not quite brave enough to go into the woods on my own at night. Silly really as probably safer in there!

I wouldn't cycle in the dark though. Mainly because I worry I wouldn't see pot holes and things in time!

Fellrunner85 · 23/09/2021 22:47

I run in the dark on my own. Wouldn't be able to marathon train in the winter if I didn't!

Itsinthetreesitscoming · 23/09/2021 22:48

I run in the dark but only on streets, or through our local park, which is usually pretty busy. I rationalise it to myself that it's incredibly unlikely that something would happen, and I am not prepared to seriously curtail my life when I consider the risks to be low.

ColorMagicBarbie · 23/09/2021 22:50

I used to carry cs gas. Illegal but you're never going to be searched while jogging and better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6 as they say. It's now classed as a firearm so I probably wouldn't.

trilbydoll · 23/09/2021 22:55

Only on the main road through a housing estate that I know is well lit and the road fairly busy. Also I know the pavements are smooth. The ones round here are full of potholes and covered in acorns, they're bloody lethal. I wear a light, and I find I run faster in the dark because I'm so desperate to get home! I make sure I'm home by 8pm though, I wouldn't go out very late.

MuckyPlucky · 23/09/2021 23:02

When I could run (pre-injury) I enjoyed trail running in the countryside at night with a head torch. Running over the moors and fells in the dark silence is better than any meditation app.

megletthesecond · 23/09/2021 23:02

Yes. But only on well lit streets. I live in a town centre so there's always enough people around for me to run a loop of the area.
I wouldn't run through a park or an isolated area.

MrsRetreiver · 23/09/2021 23:04

I do, but with others as much as possible and on well-lit main roads only. And relatively early in the evening too.

Men rarely have to think like this.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 23/09/2021 23:06

I do run in the dark, but stick to well-lit main roads.

I also cycle in the dark with good lights as how else would I get home from a night out? (don't have a car) I love cycling through quiet streets at midnight when an urban fox runs across your path. I feel less vulnerable riding my bike than walking or running.

NiceGerbil · 23/09/2021 23:08

This is so tricky.

The chance of being attacked physically is statistically low.

However this is difficult to act on as:

The risk of a man being creepy or shouting stuff at you or passing and making a sexualised/ aggressive comment is seemingly less unusual. And if you're on your own it can well freak you out esp after dark.

Plus.

Society drums into us that doing things like that are reckless, risky, foolish, etc. And most women have internalised this.
I used to ignore the 'rules' when young but I knew what they were. I knew that if anything happened that doing xyz would be a big thing for anyone I told etc.
And knowing the rules and ignoring them meant that I still wasn't free. There was always a sense of hmm this is a bit dangerous. Not that the things I did revert resulted in any problems.

What I would say is.

Don't force yourself to do anything that makes you feel like you're being brave or uncomfortable. You won't be able to relax and enjoy it.

If you're pretty much ok with it and you feel any feeling of this might be risky, is outweighed by your enjoyment then do it.

wellards · 23/09/2021 23:09

No but I grew up in a then pretty rough part of London so there are a lot of things I don't do despite it likely being fine.

pastabest · 23/09/2021 23:10

@MuckyPlucky

When I could run (pre-injury) I enjoyed trail running in the countryside at night with a head torch. Running over the moors and fells in the dark silence is better than any meditation app.
Sold.

Yes I would run in the dark, but where I live my biggest risk is genuinely from running into the side of a black cow on the fell or falling down a bomb hole.

A friend who lives in a different part of the country where she feels less safe running carries a travel hairspray can with the lid off in a leg pocket next to her phone.

wellards · 23/09/2021 23:11

Society drums into us that doing things like that are reckless, risky, foolish, etc. And most women have internalised this.
I used to ignore the 'rules' when young but I knew what they were. I knew that if anything happened that doing xyz would be a big thing for anyone I told etc.

Yes I think some of my fear comes from the fact I would be blamed or questioned if something did happen which of course is wrong.

NiceGerbil · 23/09/2021 23:15

It's so pervasive.

I have a big green space near me which is sort of wild. Trees bushes hills etc.

I had wandered around on it my whole life without a thought.

One day a friend said would you walk off the main part alone?

And just like that. Something shifted. I hadn't thought for a minute about anything like that. Her mentioning it put it in my head iyswim.

Imo the 'rules' are disproportionate to the risk which is essentially about women being attacked by men because sex offences / or just hates women.

The other risks- men getting assaulted, tripping and knocking your head and no one around, your bike getting nicked by some random young men... Never mentioned.

There are many risks of all sorts of likelihood. Men are more likely to be attacked walking at night according to stats. Where are the warnings for them to get a cab etc?

It's women/ girls/ sex offences and ones by strangers outdoors that get all this stuff and that's not logical. So there are other reasons.

BlueberrySugar · 23/09/2021 23:17

No.

Ever since I got grabbed I hate walking anywhere on my own day or night.

NiceGerbil · 23/09/2021 23:17

Wellards and with that knowledge and the warnings it means for many women even when they do stuff that is against the 'rules' it's often hard to relax while you're doing it.

And that is rubbish tbh. Esp given the risk of serious this is vv low. And given the common stuff creepy men comments shouts even flashing is not seen as a problem. That's pretty inconsistent.

Original poster
Pineapplepyjamas · 23/09/2021 23:19

@MuckyPlucky

When I could run (pre-injury) I enjoyed trail running in the countryside at night with a head torch. Running over the moors and fells in the dark silence is better than any meditation app.
Wow, this sounds so relaxing - but I’d be terrified. Would love to try this with a bodyguard in tow.
OP posts:
wellards · 23/09/2021 23:19

growing up it was very much you don't cut through that estate after X time or you don't go down that road after dark etc but it was legit good advice for either sex so I guess I've always had an awareness & I can't shake it.

wellards · 23/09/2021 23:21

Wellards and with that knowledge and the warnings it means for many women even when they do stuff that is against the 'rules' it's often hard to relax while you're doing it.

Yes I couldn't relax & no way could I have earphones on for example. And I know I should be able too.

Hamsteronrollerblades · 23/09/2021 23:22

I do. I think the risk is lower to end at night than from inhaling all the daytime traffic fumes. It’s not risk free but I find a freedom to running in the dark whether over fields or through town.

Original poster
Pineapplepyjamas · 23/09/2021 23:22

@wellards

Society drums into us that doing things like that are reckless, risky, foolish, etc. And most women have internalised this. I used to ignore the 'rules' when young but I knew what they were. I knew that if anything happened that doing xyz would be a big thing for anyone I told etc.

Yes I think some of my fear comes from the fact I would be blamed or questioned if something did happen which of course is wrong.

Absolutely this. Two close friends have told me not to run. Now I’m picturing them shaking their heads at how foolish I am when I’m murdered on a 7pm jog down the main road.

I am livid at the world (not at them)!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pineapplepyjamas · 23/09/2021 23:24

@BlueberrySugar

No.

Ever since I got grabbed I hate walking anywhere on my own day or night.

This sounds horrible, I’m sorry!
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