Women runners, do you run with a weapon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My morning breath keeps me well protected...never brush your teeth before leaving the house!

Seriously, no. But, I do not wear headphones/listen to music when I run. I also tend to run in the middle of the street and I like to look at houses so while I run in Rock Creek some not a ton.

One factor in my favor is that I am a morning runner. I have also had this theory that the muggers/rapists aren't out at 6 am, when it's pouring rain or super cold.

But, I pay attention to my surroundings and the people around me. If someone looks out of place, I go the other way, give them a wide berth, etc. I don't worry about seeming rude or strange. And no - this isn't race/class - mainly it's why is that guy wearing jeans and uncomfortable shoes in the middle of the park? It's late at night and there's a male of any type on one side of the street but none on the other. Cross the street. I lived in Dupont in the early 90s when you didn't cross 16th street and I was the only person I knew that didn't get mugged. Be aware. Be prickly. Be safe. But, get out there and run!

Your theory about early morning is unfortunately incorrect.

[Anonymous]

Rapists are most likely ready to pounce in early morning

[Anonymous]

Only when I lived in Chicago and ran alone in winter at night do it was dark.

Like others, I don’t wear EarPods. Stay on busier roads and only run a trail during the day and if it’s well traveled.

I would never run a wooded trail by myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I only run in well trafficked areas, though. I would never run on an isolated trail on a weekday by myself.

+1
I am the weapon. I stay aware of my surroundings (no airpods) and let my family track me on a running app

I actually never thought about having a family member track someone as they are running so you can be located while out running, so thanks for this.

[Anonymous]

No - there are always tons of people on the trails I run on. Even during the quieter times I rarely go more than a minute before passing another person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My morning breath keeps me well protected...never brush your teeth before leaving the house!

Seriously, no. But, I do not wear headphones/listen to music when I run. I also tend to run in the middle of the street and I like to look at houses so while I run in Rock Creek some not a ton.

One factor in my favor is that I am a morning runner. I have also had this theory that the muggers/rapists aren't out at 6 am, when it's pouring rain or super cold.

But, I pay attention to my surroundings and the people around me. If someone looks out of place, I go the other way, give them a wide berth, etc. I don't worry about seeming rude or strange. And no - this isn't race/class - mainly it's why is that guy wearing jeans and uncomfortable shoes in the middle of the park? It's late at night and there's a male of any type on one side of the street but none on the other. Cross the street. I lived in Dupont in the early 90s when you didn't cross 16th street and I was the only person I knew that didn't get mugged. Be aware. Be prickly. Be safe. But, get out there and run!

Pro tip: if you have to make the disclaimer that your comment isn’t racist or classist, that means that it is.

[Anonymous]

I have a small pepper gel spray. It's really not for people. At least once a week where I live people see a bobcat or mama bear and cubs walking down a street. Since I also go running on paths, I know I can encounter coyotes and wolves too.

[Anonymous]

Don’t go out with any weapon you haven’t spent serious Tim training with. Anything else will only make you overconfident in situations you’d be best served avoiding or running from.

Even if it is just pepper spray for an aggressive dog, make sure you’ve tried it out, practiced making sure you can pull it out quick, pointed in the right direction, have a good idea of what it will do in different wind conditions, etc.

[Anonymous]

unfortunately, you have to be realistic that an attacker could easily take the knife or pepper spray from you and use them against you. Unless you happen to be stronger than most men, which I definitely know I am not.

[Anonymous]

I do recommend the Glympse app for having a loved one know where you are when running.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do recommend the Glympse app for having a loved one know where you are when running.

No one is actively watching you run. All this will do in helping find your remains.

[Anonymous]

Yep - mace and a mini zapper

[Anonymous]

I normally go on paved trails in our state park with my kids. I carry a pepper spray and a knife and my phone. And I remain aware of my surroundings. However, I have seen strange guys follow us and behave weird around us. I don't even let my teen son go alone anywhere. With the crazies, criminals and racists...USA is not a safe place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep - mace and a mini zapper

I want a mini-zapper.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone bought that “Birdie” super loud personal safety device that is all over Instagram ads at the moment? I’ve thought about it, I go on stroller walks in broad daylight with my 1 year old on the Cap Crescent trail and occasionally feel sketched out.