Being safe as a woman jogger

[Merkuri]

In an attempt to burn more calories, I've been walking/jogging before work a few days a week. My neighborhood seems fairly safe, but as a woman the idea of going out alone in the early morning hours (well, 7:30-8AM) creeps me out a bit. I listen to an iPod, but use it for audiobooks, not music, and I only wear one headphone so it's very easy for me to hear my environment, so I don't think that's much of a problem.

But this morning during my walk/jog (more of a walk at the moment) I heard small noises and saw a shadow of a person coming up from behind me. I was walking on the sidewalk of a busy street, but it still creeped me out a bit to realize someone was following me. I half-turned my head to let the other person know I had noticed them, but didn't know what else to do and just kept walking. It wasn't until the other person had crossed to the other side of the street and began passing me out that I saw it was an older white-haired woman and I felt safe again.

I don't know if there are any other women joggers on EN World, or men who know such women, but what should one do in this situation? Today it was harmless, but what if a real stalker had been following me, waiting for me to turn off into a not-so-busy street?

It didn't occur to me until after I knew who was following me that the best course of action probably would've been to completely turn around and say "hi" to the other person. If it's a random passerby they'd just think I was being friendly, but if it was a real stalker I now have a clear view of their face and they know I've seen them. Do you guys think that would be the best thing to do?

 

[Blackrat]

Wow. I'm sad that there is even need to worry about these kind of things, but reality is that you can't be to careful. I'd suggest on getting whatever legal measures are needed and invest in a pepperspray. I don't know what is needed in US to get a right to carry one, but here in finland our laws about firearms are somewhat more strict (and yes, out here the pepperspray is actually considered a firearm ) but I still know couple of girls who have gotten the right to carry a pepperspray, and do so when jogging.

 

[RangerWickett]

I have no advice other than to be careful and jog where there are other people. However, when I first read this thread's title, I thought it said, "Being safe as a woman logger." I suppose carrying a lumberjack axe would deter the stalkers.

 

[jaerdaph]

I recommend you try to find a running partner, either male or female. There is safety in numbers. Also, try to stay in well lit areas with people traffic.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

If possible, make sure somebody knows you are out for a jog, what your route is and how long you should be out.

A tip if you feel someone is following you: if possible jog into a public building. If you are in a residential neighborhood, you can pick up the pace a little to gain some distance and head for a public area, or turn up a driveway to ask for help.

One website I saw with jogging tips actually suggests running in the morning hours as being safer because most "scumbags, deadbeats and slugs will still be in bed."

Finding a partner or partners is the best idea of all.

 

[qstor]

I jog a lot and I know one of the safety tips recommeded for women joggers is not to listen to music while running. I'd check out runnersworld.com for articles on jogging and safety.

Mike

 

[Harmon]

Back when I was jogging, I found myself jogging behind and catching a women that was jogging with half a pool que, not wanting to scare he I called- "passing on your right in about 30 seconds," or something like that. When I got to a point where I was about to pass her she turned and swung at my head! I caught the que in my hand, and wrenched it from her hand knocking her down (more by accident then anything else).

She started yelling and I snarled at her- "that hurt," shaking my hand. "Next time just turn and say Hi, or slow and let me pass," I dropped the weapon and continued on my jog shaking my hand.

I didn't run away, I jogged. She yelled some stuff at me and I kept on. A week later she saw me and did as I suggested- stopped and watched me pass. I nodded and said- "hello," she returned the gesture.

We saw each other a few more times, but that was the extent of our interaction.

My point is that you never know who you are running into while jogging, do not assume (not saying you did) that everyone is out to get you, some people are just out doing what you are doing (getting into better health).

My suggestion- take a self defense course- they will teach you want to do and maybe even give you access to training with mace, or a tazer or something like that.

Best of luck and keep up the jogging.

 

[Umbran]

Not long ago, there was a serial rapist in my town, and I was worried for my wife. So, some hints are fresh in my head...

Yes, turning and specifically noting the person with a "Hi" is often a good idea. An attacker probably doesn't actually immediately reason it as, "Crap, I've been seen and can be identified!" But it does snap them out of being in the proactive phase of attacking into a reactive one - the element of surprise is lost.

Don't listen to music, even through only one ear. That still leaves you mostly deaf on one side.

Carry a whistle, or other noisemaker. Noise is your friend, it gets eyes on the street. It is better to blast a small air horn in someone's face and have to apologize than to get mugged.

Don't follow a regular pattern - vary your routes, so the bad guy's can't predict where you'll be and when.

Pepperspray is only useful if you can get it out for use very, very quickly. It is usless buried in your purse somewhere you have to dig for it. Legally - in Massachusetts, you need a low-level form of a firearms permit to carry, and it can only be legally bought from real firearms dealers, but anyone without a criminal record can legally carry it. Laws vary from state to state.

Take your cell phone - when you feel you're being followed or otherwise at risk, call someone - anyone, and start talking. Tell the person on the other end where you are, and chat away. It sometimes doesn't matter if there's even anyone on the other end of the line - the attacker doesn't know that, but he certainly expects that cutting you off in the middle of a conversation means someone knows something is up.

Don't run right near parked large vehicles. Cross the street and look behind you when you fear you are at risk.

Of course, you can also go run at a gym...

 

[Merkuri]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think there's not much more I could do than I could already be doing now. I do have mace, but do not have a permit for it, so I don't carry it. I bought it when I was living in Rhode Island for a short while, and there was one night when I found myself having to walk home through unfamiliar territory at midnight, and I found it comforting to walk with my hand in my pocket on the spray, ready to shoot, though nothing happened. Now, though, I don't have any pockets, and I don't want to jog holding a cannister of mace, even if I did have a permit.

Don't listen to music, even through only one ear. That still leaves you mostly deaf on one side.

While I do listen to an iPod, it's not music. It's an audiobook, all speech. I've been doing it for years now, and find it very easy to hear the environment through the book. I think the fact that I heard that little old lady this morning on the side of a busy, loud street is evidence of that.

Unfortunately I do not have anyone who would be willing to jog with me that early in the morning, though I'm sure that would be helpful for more than just safety. I've found that when jogging with someone else I try to go further and run faster because I'm conscious that the other person is there, watching me. When I'm by myself I go from jog to walk quicker because nobody cares but me.

I do carry my phone, though, and that's a very good idea to call someone, or pretend. My bf, Awayfarer is usually on a train at that point of the day, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind a little conversation if I'm feeling creeped out.

My point is that you never know who you are running into while jogging, do not assume (not saying you did) that everyone is out to get you, some people are just out doing what you are doing (getting into better health).

Just like on the road, most people are considerate, good drivers, but every once and a while you get someone who is a real jerk. If you assume everyone is a jerk waiting to happen you are a defensive driver, and will be able to avoid accidents easier. I like to be a defensive jogger, and assume everyone is out to get me until proven otherwise. That said, I'm not about to hit anyone with a pool cue.

My suggestion- take a self defense course- they will teach you want to do and maybe even give you access to training with mace, or a tazer or something like that.

I actually did take karate for four years in high school. A lot of it stuck with me, but it's probably not a bad idea to get back in the habit.

 

[Umbran]

I actually did take karate for four years in high school. A lot of it stuck with me, but it's probably not a bad idea to get back in the habit.

Both my karate instructors and my local police agree - martial arts classes and self-defense classes are not the same thing. They teach very different habits and skills, for different uses.

You might want to ask at your local police station - they often run free or heavily subsidized self-defense training, that may teach you more in what you need to know as a jogger on the street more quickly.