Run at night in DC?

[Anonymous]

I find this all very depressing, in part b/c I agree with much of what people say about being very careful.

I'm a runner, who lives in NoVA. I try to run with buddies but it is not always possible. There have been 2 instances of attempted assaults on runners in and around where I live (a very "Safe" zip code) in the last week. One was during the day and one at night.

I have the road ID, which I recommend.

I don't have much else to offer, other than commiseration.

[Anonymous]

Try 5 AM runs. The bad guys are asleep then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try 5 AM runs. The bad guys are asleep then.

Maybe shoot for 6am, when it's lit and there are people out walking their dogs or on their way to the gym or work? Think at 5am, the bad guys are still out roaming about looking for trouble before calling it a night.

[Anonymous]

Another comment: don't run the same route, same time, all the time. Mix it up. If there DOES happen to be a nut out there scoping out lone runners, if you have a consistent pattern you're much easier to jump. It's a known fact that you'll be passing by "X" secluded/quiet area, etc.

[Anonymous]

You should check out the website seemommyrun.com. It's free and I don't get any money for telling you about it! My friend (who I met through running) started this several years ago and there are groups set up that help women connect with other women to run with. I have a group I run with out here in Virginia on M, W, and F. I'd recommend, if possible, that you find at least one other person to run with you.

If you can't find that, I agree with PPs about running in the morning. My husband's family is in law enforcement and they repeatedly tell me the bad guys are usually asleep at 5:00 or 6:00 in the morning when I run and they'd rather me do that than at night. Don't get me wrong, they still nag me if I run by myself anytime but I do think there is more of a chance of criminal activity at night.

[Anonymous]

Why would you even consider doing this? It's not safe.

[Anonymous]

Why risk it if you belong to a gym?

If you want to run outdoors, for now, stick to weekends and days off.

During the summer when it's light out until 8, go right after work.

not saying to live in fear but you've got to admit to being a little scared

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the feedback (OP here). I agree with the comments as what i felt but wondered if i was just being too cautious. I would rather run outside than gym now that it is nice and may do 6am if I can get on that schedule. I am going to try to come up with a plan. I ran today w/o headphones at daytime and missed the music but felt much safer and aware of surroundings. I will chekc out that webiste too to find other moms to run w/. thanks

[Anonymous]

OP - you are being too cautious. Running at 8:30 downtown is not dangerous - stay where the people are, and you'll be fine. I presume your husband is at home waiting for you and that he'll know when to expect you

The jogger who was hit on constitution ave was not only wearing headphones, but was apparently crossing against the light. David Rosenbaum probably would have been attacked even if he weren't wearing headphones.