I'm a bald black guy who runs. Would this scare you?

[Anonymous]

This thread got me googling "runners balaclava" and fantasizing about running through my neighborhood dressed as a ninja. I think it's going to happen.

[Anonymous]

I’m a runner. And it would probably kinda freak me out if we were in a more isolated are. It has nothing to do with race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my middle age, I've become even more sensitive to cold - to the point of regularly wearing a hat while lounging at home - I've long conceded in the thermostat war with DW.

I run a lot and the winter months are especially hard on bald men (at least they are on me). I mostly run at a nearby park where there are other runners/walkers, but some areas of the park are pretty isolated. A friend recommended I wear a balaclava to help retain my body's heat.

I like the idea, but I am sensitive to the sometimes nefarious use of balaclavas. I don't recall seeing other runners wearing them (but I can't say I've paid attention to it, either) and I would hate to scare people away from enjoying the park. Would someone wearing a balaclava on a trail bother you, or am I overthinking this?

Thanks!

Paint a big friendly smile on balaclava and you will be fine .

Jokes aside, I am a woman and my instincts tell me exactly what the guy (even in balaclava) is up to - exercising in the park or meaning harm (to me). Wear what you want, I mean.
There are creams/ointments that people who work in cold climates use on their faces to fend off effects of a cold air. They are not warming or anything, just create a protective film on a face. Not sure what they called, just an idea.

Holy crap, if there's any way to make encountering a balaclava man alone on a trail more terrifying, this would be it.

[Anonymous]

Ohh, get the Gucci one!

[Anonymous]

Get like a turquoise one with a froofy pattern. Wear a lot of bright colors. No one will think twice.

[Anonymous]

No, you won't scare me but the light reflected off your bold head will blind me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you dress on running gear? If anyone running up behind me looked like they were exercising, I'd be more relaxed but someone was wearing regular street clothes jogged up behind me, I'd panic a bit. I'm an assault survivor and I have no qualms about crossing the street or whatever if my fight or flight kicks in.

I'm a guy who runs so not your target audience, but that's my reaction too. For a quick look, if I see someone wearing a florescent yellow or orange shirt, I figure they are far less likely to be a threat, because that's not going to help sneak up on someone or escape from the police. I also tend to wear bright clothes like that just to be visible to cars, so it's a win-win.

I was thinking the same thing. If you are desssed like a running dork, it would not worry me one bit. I suggest adding jaunty hat. But if you are wearing all dark clothes and a mask, yep, that make me a bit nervous.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you can tell the difference between someone out exercising or scoping out/stalking people. They give a totally different vibe and their behavior is very different. I wouldn't be freaked to see a person jogging/running on a cold day with a balaclave (I had to goggle this).

I think you will hate running with that material over your nose and mouth though. That seems really restrictive to your breathing. You'll wind up with damp material pressed up against your face on a cold day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably be frightened if I encountered a man in a balaclava, especially if I were alone. Race wouldn’t matter.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

I'm a white woman who runs. I actually have the same fears about wearing a balaclava. I have a lot of elderly people who walk in my neighborhood, and I worry that if I run up behind them wearing a balaclava, they'll freak out.

So I bought a hat that comes around the side of my face. It's kind of a similar thing to a balaclava, but it doesn't cover the whole face.

All that said, I live in a diverse neighborhood, and there are men and women of all races who run. I've never felt scared or threatened or anything. It's pretty obvious we are all runners. We all give each other the "man, it's cold out here!" wave and nod as we pass by.

[Anonymous]

I'm OP. I showed this thread to DW and she concurs with the race is irrelevant crowd (she's white) - adding that in many circumstances, balaclavas can be a little scary looking. This afternoon, I glanced her and our elves come home with bags from Dick's Sporting Goods and REI - I'm pretty excited!

I've enjoyed reading your responses. Happy Holidays!

[Anonymous]

Happy holidays, OP! Hope you got a good cold weather solution under the tree. I’m in the “no” camp, but I also wear a balaclava on the trail and live in a neighborhood with several bald Black guys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread got me googling "runners balaclava" and fantasizing about running through my neighborhood dressed as a ninja. I think it's going to happen.

If someone looks scared, called them racist and xenophobic.

[Anonymous]

Any man, large, small, light, dark, whatEVER would scare the crap out of me wearing a balaclava. But more than that, I would think you'd be terrified to be a black man running in one — cops will be after you in a heartbeat. It's illegal:
https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/22-3312.03.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would probably be frightened if I encountered a man in a balaclava, especially if I were alone. Race wouldn’t matter.

This