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This Train Tough Tuesday (#TrainToughTuesday) is a little different, seeing that I 100% failed at my training last week. In light of what happened in with three female runners being killed recently in Queens (Karina Vetrano), Massachusetts (Vanessa Marcotte), & Michigan (Alexandra Brueger), I am dedicating this post to them. I know something this sad isn’t what I normally talk about on this blog, but I feel compelled to talk about making running safer for women. As a woman who runs mostly alone, I can seem vulnerable to a person who is looking to harm a woman. I’ve always been a cautious person, making sure I keep aware of my surroundings, and if I have a bad “gut” feeling, I listen to it. Women as a whole can be strong, fight back, and defend ourselves against this horrible people who mean to do us harm. Here are some tips for keeping yourself out of a bad situation.
#1: Lower the music & leave one earbud out.
I am an avid music listener, I’ve tried running without it and I ended that run extremely early. But, when you have your earbuds in, you are unable to hear anything going on around you. I blast my music: loud, blaring, and drowning out the outside world. But, now I have one earbud in and one out, so I can hear the sounds going on around me. I can hear a car driving, the leaves ruffling & whatever is going on around me.
#2: Do not post your route on social media.
I’m also guilty of this and I never thought about the “harm” in it. However, the only profile of mine that’s private is Facebook. Everything else is public so all you have to do is click on it and you can see exactly where I ran, where I started and stopped. If you run similar routes, or have a routine of routes you do, this could be a way for someone to “follow” you.
#3: Be aware of your surroundings.
This is a big one. Just look around, take note of any cars passing you: the make, color, what direction they were going. If you’re in a neighborhood make sure that you look at all the people that are passing you and the houses you pass. If you want to go in a certain direction but get an “off” feeling, don’t go that way! If you see a car pass you more than once, change your running route or go a different way. If you need to cut your run short, cut it short. I run in neighborhoods with plenty of passing cars, houses, and sometimes shops. Identify places where you could go to if you ran into an issue. Make eye contact with people that you run past or people who pass you in car.
#4: Bring your phone & use ECrumb from Road ID
I know some runners who don’t run with music (or use their iPod), and just have their running watch on them. I’ve always carried it on me, because what if? What if I got hurt, if someone didn’t go past me, or if I couldn’t move, how would anyone know where I was and that I was hurt. This is why I use Road ID’s ECrumb Tracking & Stationary Alert. It’s a GPS app that tracks your runs. You can select up to 5 people to receive a text when you begin your run, how long it’ll be, and provides a link to show your exact location. There is also a notification that will alert people with the link if you’ve been stationary for longer than 3 minutes and provide them your last location.
#5: Carry Mace.
They make small cans that have a strap for your hand, so you’re not really “holding it”, and less likely to drop it. Check Amazon for purchasing as they’re decently priced and will help you feel more protected on your runs.
#6: Run in a group or with someone.
I know it’s not always convenient, but safety in numbers right. Join a running group, get a friend to run with you, or your significant other.
#7: Your Knee, Elbow and Foot are your friends.
Worst case scenario: put up a fight or show the attacker you’re ready to hit back. If your attacker is male, knee to the groin, and run in the opposite direction. Kick the shins, they’re extremely sensitive to any person. Elbow to the neck, ribs, head–just stun and RUN.
If these tips help just one woman that reads this, it is worth it. The women whom lost their lives should not lose them in vein. As women, we can be strong, powerful, fight back & protect ourselves. Be safe out there and look out for yourself and each other. Talk to you next week!
I’ve never heard of ECrumb before but I really like that idea. I’m not a runner but I do like going for walks and I never used to worry before until recently. I hate that we have to be so worried to go out alone. We should feel safe enough to go for runs or walks without worrying all the time 🙁
These are all great tips to remember when we are out running alone. Thank you for posting this important information. I will be forwarding your post to a few friends. Thanks.
thank you for sharing, I’m finding and installing Ecrumb asap. I run and go for walks alone and with my dogs. So true to follow your gut! I’m sharing this info. really important.