Night Running

This week I did a little bit of running, it was kind of hard to keep to the schedule I set. Honestly, I am not too worried about it because once my job is over for the summer time, there will be no excuses for not following a more regimented exercise program.I work with high school kids and right now we are all pitching in to get grades done and to chaperone their last high school events. Doesn't leave a lot of down time for me. So I ran when I could and I am looking forward to their graduation so my life can return to its somewhat sane routine.

This week I did some night running and it really got me thinking about the importance of safety.  I have lived in my neighborhood for over 6 years now and honestly I am not too scared to go running at night. Now when I say night, I mean like 7 or 8 o'clockish and I never am out past 9. It seems as though 9 is the witching hour in my neighborhood and everyone goes inside by then. I also never hit any of the trails by my house unless it is during the day. I do follow a lot of safety precautions, but I am always wondering if I do enough.

So where did all of this come from??? Well, earlier this week I was running on one of the sidewalks and it was about 8:45. I was almost home, but this pick up truck with two men slowed up as I was running by. They both stared at me and then drove very very very slowly around the corner. Then, they stopped and got out. My spidey senses were a tingling. I turned off the music in my headphones, but kept running. I also went out of my way to run past them and closer to the sidewalk of a house where someone was home. Thankfully. they were just having car trouble (note: this sounds more callous then intended), and it was nothing more than that. But, you can see my concern. I know I have a flair for the dramatic, and that I also think worse case scenario. But being a young woman, you can never be too careful. I like to the see good in people, but I know not to be naive because there are a lot of bad people.  I believe firmly in keeping my guard up when out by myself.

So what can you do to practice safe running???

1. Run with a Buddy if you can. I am more likely to run when its dark if I have a friend with me. Given where I live, I feel as though two people would deter any potential bad guy from singling my friend and I out as potential targets.

2. Take a Cell Phone with you. If you get in to trouble, whether your hurt or having an emergency, etc. This can help you in a pinch.

3. Bright Colored Clothes or Reflectors. If running early in the morning or at night, this will help you be seen by cars. As a general rule of thumb, I run only on sidewalks when it is dark because I don't want to take the chance of someone not paying attention and hitting me.  This comes after several close calls during the twilight/dusk hours.

Road ID example. Cost $15-$30.

4. Get Yourself a Road ID. Most likely if you have been to a race, one of them has been sponsored by Road ID.  Look on your race bib, you probably have a $2 off coupon. They are inexpensive identification tags  you can wear on your wrist or your ankle. It contains emergency contact lists, medications, and allergies. If something happens to you and you are incapacitated, you have something to speak for you. Road ID Website   

5. Change up your run route. I never run the same way twice and I always vary what days I run and  the times. Not that I think someone is stalking me, but if there were then being inconsistent doesn't give them a lot to work with. This is especially important when running at night and in an area that is questionable.

6. Avoid trails when alone. Perhaps it is growing up on really bad B movie Horror movies from the 80s, but wooded trails = Creepers to me. I don't typically frequent a heavily wooded trail, even though the dirt is much better for my joints. I feel as though woods need a buddy or two, especially if they are not heavily traveled.

So there you have it. My paranoid advice! These are just some things you can do to protect yourself, but most importantly don't stop being hyper-vigilant. I am not saying you need to think every single person you pass on the street is going to hurt you, but just to keep your guard up and be on the look out for suspicious behavior. It is better to breathe a sigh of relief because you were overly suspicious of a harmless person, then to find yourself in a difficult situation. Remember the best defense is a good offense!

Until Monday my friends...Happy Running!