Women runners, do you run with a weapon?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rapists are most likely ready to pounce in early morning

FBI crime statistics directly contradict this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP. Unless you are a regular on DCUM and are familiar with the usual DCUM accusations and are trying to preempt them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rapists are most likely ready to pounce in early morning

FBI crime statistics directly contradict this.

Depends on where you live. When I was in NC, yes.
Here (DC metro) not so much.

I carry pepper spray.

[Anonymous]

Our local LEO recommended carrying a weapon. Especially if you run a route or trail and someone can become familiar with your patterns. If you run at the same time, the same place, someone can notice. They can make a plan to harm you because they know where you are alone and defenseless. A predator will do that. I do not carry a weapon though.

I carry gel pepper spray. Depending on the breed and aggressive behavior of the dog that may be troubling you, pepper spray may just pi$$ it off. (That’s advice from the LEO as well.)

When we lived in CO a woman running was attacked by a mountain lion. She was running alone on a high school track. We lived near the mountains, but not that close. I believe she was killed but I can’t remember 100%. I was extremely upset because I ran on the same track with my happy yappy little dog alone, too.

You never think it will be you, I’ll tell you that. I would be very uncomfortable running with a weapon but the more I read about women abducted, raped and killed while running/jogging, the more I want to join a gym.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is pepper spray effective against dogs?

Just returned from Costco and saw a multipack (of course) but didn't buy...no mention on package about dog defense.

Awful to admit, but I used to take a heavy shovel with me on stroller walks to our suburban neighborhood's school bus stop.Crazy neighbors had a Rottweiler behind an electric fence in their front yard.


-newer runner

Lunatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As long as you aren’t having an affair with a congressman you are fine

You have to be of a certain age (and I am) to know this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As long as you aren’t having an affair with a congressman you are fine

You have to be of a certain age (and I am) to know this one.

Yikes, good point.

Signed, 42 yr old

[Anonymous]

I carry wasp spray. Doesn’t expire unlike pepper spray (expires in one year). But it’s nasty stuff, wouldn’t use it unless I knew I was 100% in danger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I carry wasp spray. Doesn’t expire unlike pepper spray (expires in one year). But it’s nasty stuff, wouldn’t use it unless I knew I was 100% in danger.

You run with a large can of wasp spray?

[Anonymous]

No - I don’t run armed but I also have a rule that I don’t run in the dark either. Been a runner since the mid-90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our local LEO recommended carrying a weapon. Especially if you run a route or trail and someone can become familiar with your patterns. If you run at the same time, the same place, someone can notice. They can make a plan to harm you because they know where you are alone and defenseless. A predator will do that. I do not carry a weapon though.

I carry gel pepper spray. Depending on the breed and aggressive behavior of the dog that may be troubling you, pepper spray may just pi$$ it off. (That’s advice from the LEO as well.)

When we lived in CO a woman running was attacked by a mountain lion. She was running alone on a high school track. We lived near the mountains, but not that close. I believe she was killed but I can’t remember 100%. I was extremely upset because I ran on the same track with my happy yappy little dog alone, too.

You never think it will be you, I’ll tell you that. I would be very uncomfortable running with a weapon but the more I read about women abducted, raped and killed while running/jogging, the more I want to join a gym.

This is ridiculous advice. Better to alter your route regularly than carry a bulky weapon that can be used against you. I feel like this LEO is a donut-scarfing desk jockey who’s never run a mile in their life!

I was concerned to read in another thread how many women run without their phones, though. That seems very risky to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our local LEO recommended carrying a weapon. Especially if you run a route or trail and someone can become familiar with your patterns. If you run at the same time, the same place, someone can notice. They can make a plan to harm you because they know where you are alone and defenseless. A predator will do that. I do not carry a weapon though.

I carry gel pepper spray. Depending on the breed and aggressive behavior of the dog that may be troubling you, pepper spray may just pi$$ it off. (That’s advice from the LEO as well.)

When we lived in CO a woman running was attacked by a mountain lion. She was running alone on a high school track. We lived near the mountains, but not that close. I believe she was killed but I can’t remember 100%. I was extremely upset because I ran on the same track with my happy yappy little dog alone, too.

You never think it will be you, I’ll tell you that. I would be very uncomfortable running with a weapon but the more I read about women abducted, raped and killed while running/jogging, the more I want to join a gym.

This is ridiculous advice. Better to alter your route regularly than carry a bulky weapon that can be used against you. I feel like this LEO is a donut-scarfing desk jockey who’s never run a mile in their life!

I was concerned to read in another thread how many women run without their phones, though. That seems very risky to me.

No, actually he teaches safety and self defense for women at the university our daughter attends. Daughter took class and she enjoyed it very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our local LEO recommended carrying a weapon. Especially if you run a route or trail and someone can become familiar with your patterns. If you run at the same time, the same place, someone can notice. They can make a plan to harm you because they know where you are alone and defenseless. A predator will do that. I do not carry a weapon though.

I carry gel pepper spray. Depending on the breed and aggressive behavior of the dog that may be troubling you, pepper spray may just pi$$ it off. (That’s advice from the LEO as well.)

When we lived in CO a woman running was attacked by a mountain lion. She was running alone on a high school track. We lived near the mountains, but not that close. I believe she was killed but I can’t remember 100%. I was extremely upset because I ran on the same track with my happy yappy little dog alone, too.

You never think it will be you, I’ll tell you that. I would be very uncomfortable running with a weapon but the more I read about women abducted, raped and killed while running/jogging, the more I want to join a gym.

This is ridiculous advice. Better to alter your route regularly than carry a bulky weapon that can be used against you. I feel like this LEO is a donut-scarfing desk jockey who’s never run a mile in their life!

I was concerned to read in another thread how many women run without their phones, though. That seems very risky to me.

No, actually he teaches safety and self defense for women at the university our daughter attends. Daughter took class and she enjoyed it very much.

So, exactly what weapon did he recommend women carry? I can’t fathom anything actually useful not getting in the way of a good run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is pepper spray effective against dogs?

Just returned from Costco and saw a multipack (of course) but didn't buy...no mention on package about dog defense.

Awful to admit, but I used to take a heavy shovel with me on stroller walks to our suburban neighborhood's school bus stop.Crazy neighbors had a Rottweiler behind an electric fence in their front yard.


-newer runner

Lunatic.

Taking a shovel is kind of weird.

Pepper spray bothers humans more than dogs, so you’re likely to hurt yourself more than the dog. Stun guns work on dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No - I don’t run armed but I also have a rule that I don’t run in the dark either. Been a runner since the mid-90s.

I run during the day, too. I run with my dog. It’s a German Shepherd. Nobody really wants to mess with my dog.