So I feel like I should give up running outside during daylight hours...

[munkysea]

... because I'm sick to death of men beeping their horns and yelling abuse at me. It's happened twice in the last seven days and I know it's only a matter of time before it happens again.

I'm serious considering take my chances with darkness, tripping over kerbs and cars not seeing me as I cross roads instead, thank you very much.

Wave your little finger at them (universal sign for small willy syndrome i.e. you are a knob get a life)

Please don't run with an IPOD in rural or poor road areas. My friend was killed by a car because she could not hear it.
They also make it harder for you to hear potential muggers or other low lifes. You are rendered so insensible. Sexually harassing men will still be shouting at you. Better to know what is being said then either report it or photograph them or their reg numbers. If they ask why, tell them it is a crime to sexually harass or use sexually unpleasant language and as far as their behaviour is concerned, they are low level sex offenders and a complaint will be made about them.

Yes, I know there'a a chance they will get aggressive. But sometimes it will make them think again.
Stand up to these silly little creatures. Please don't render yourself insensible via an IPOD.

I have just got in from running. I ran along a busy dual carriageway and at least a hundred cars passed with no beeps, so it is a minority and we shouldn't let us stop us going out there.
I also ran past two lots of building works and was bracing myself for the comments.
I did get a cheery 'morning' off one chap, I can live with that.
I think wearing a big black coat is a bit extreme.

Don't give up or give in!

Don't give up, run whenever suits you.

When I first got into running as a teenager I was a bit self-conscious about anybody seeing me and ran at dusk but I quickly developed a thick skin, based on a smug but wonderfully liberating feeling of freedom and superiority, essentially 'yeah, but I bet you couldn't run five miles'.

I used to get these sort of shouts and noises when running alone or with other women. These blokes are idiots demonstrating their idiocy, I pity them really.

Of course they are trying to intimidate you, so, ignore. The sort of men who shout comments from cars, building sites or anywhere will always claim it is 'appreciation' and complementary but it is only ever done from a safe distance. IME it has nothing to do with attractiveness, everything to do with me being in a position of vulnerability. It is all about power and intimidation. They are cowards.

I've never felt physically intimidated when running, I have when cycling and when walking past drunks. In fact I do feel very free and powerful when running. Keep on running!

I think the best advice is try and get the number plate and report this sexual harassment to the police (and hope they take it seriously)... we shouldn't have to put up with it. Even once out of thousands of miles covered is too much.

When it's happened to me when I've been running I've fantasized about confronting the perpetrator and challenging them: 'would you like it if someone said that to your mum/ partner/ daughter/ sister so why is it acceptable for you to say it to me.'

On a slightly different subject: I cycle daily and have been confronted by men on two seperate occasions who've stopped their cars and got out to 'speak' to me about my cycling. On one occasion I 'd shaken my fist at the man who stopped as he drove past because he came so close in his car as he over took... he stopped because he took acception to my fist shaking which he saw in his rear view mirror. On the second occasion a man stopped (he'd actually come looking for me- I stick out like a sore thumb as I have knee length dreadlocks) as I'd apparently caused his wife to nearly crash the previous day (she'd overtaken me at the brow of a hill so couldn't see the oncoming vehicle, which apparently was my fault?!). Although I have no evidence to back this up - I can't help thinking I wouldn't have been confronted in person like this if I was a man on a bike in either scenario. Fortunately I'm not intimidated by it and on both occasions I was able to make both men look and feel daft by challenging the dangerous actions... but if I am rite in my suspicions such behaviour could deter other women from cycling or cause them to give it up (as if bad driving, ignorance of cyclists needs and poor provision for cyclists isn't already enough of a deterrent/ reason to give up). I reported both to the police as harassment and bad driving and they went and had words on both occasions.

Also, sort of off topic but I've had positive heckling too!

Once when running down a street towards home, a young woman shouted at me 'hey, you're not fat you know, you look good, you don't need to be doing that'! As if weight loss was the only possible reason for wanting to run but, a positive sentiment I thought.

I've also had children running down the street trying to race me, which I thought was sweet. I like the sense that by being visible I'm setting some sort of good example to children (many played in the street where I used to live).

ive just got in from running too! not a whisper from anyone or any car - and i ran along a busy main road, then right through town and back around - a dog walker stepped aside and everyone i pass i smile at and they smiled back! (probably thinking "poor cow, but at least shes trying" )!!

it is a minority of idiots that heckle. if ive ever been heckled then ive not heard it (due to said ipod!)

They said that they would follow it up but i dont know whether they actually did. But im still glad i made that call. I felt i had to make a stand.

Lol at vicar, I'm always a little affronted by how much room people give me to get past, feel like saying "im not that big am I?"

I get regularly beeped on a footbridge over a busy motorway when walking the dog over the fields. I can only think its boredom on their part.

It makes me jump, although it doesn't frighten or intimidate me.

If i was shouted abuse at then i think i would take it more seriously.

I've seen women in cars shout things at male cyclists before. I don't think the same sexual threat is there though.