How safe do you feel........

[Rowey]

On the other side of this discussion, as a man, I have felt very wary coming up behind women runners when out on a long trail run. Quite a few times in Canada in 05 I would meet and pass a woman running on the Ottawa River trail, both of us very alone, and I would be thinking should I say hello to put her at ease ( or something equivalent to ringing a bike bell as you pass someone on your bike coming from behind.. ??...) ........ I cetainly dont mean in any sense to make light of your concerns, and wish you all safe and happy running........



cheers



rowey

[beetroot face]

Gosh - I hadn't expected this thread to generate so many responses. And from women who do plan their safety.



Reading the responses, I realised that although I thought I ran safe, I don't tell my husband my route. Until I get back. Mmm. Not entirely helpful.



I hope that other women have taken away some tips for further improving their awareness when out enjoying themselves.

[Billy]

This thread has definitely got me thinking too...



Up until now I also only told my husband about where I was running once I had already run it... Der!



I'm now trying to get into the habit of leaving a note on the bench saying where I'm going and when I expect to be home. Being in the country I probably have a little less to be concerned about than the city folk... but still, it's best to be safe - afterall there are weirdos everywhere!

[DuckGirl]

Hmmm...I'm a bit slack about telling people where I am going to run too! Unfortunately tho even if I did, I tend to change my route based on how I'm feeling day to day, so it may not be too much help anyway. I do however always have a I.D. band with contact numbers etc.

[Punch]

Hey Rowey, how considerate! I think just a pleasant 'hello' is great.



As a woman runner, I actually don't get stressed about other runners as much as non-runners, especially men who stop when they turn around and openely stare (yes, freaky exercise lady, whoa call the police). Doesn't happen half as much when I'm with my running buddy (who's a bloke). Just nasty. Looking is fine - openly oggling is yuck.



An attack and rape happened on a local run path last year (a place I run), they caught the bastard 'yay'! But I tend to definitely run in open places when by myself, along main roads etc...



I tend not to dwell on it too much, vast majority of abuse is within the family unit/people who know each other. Certainly good to be wary - but not scaredy.

[Rowey]

...........that's a very nice response thanks , Punch......thank you........it's great when good topics get rolling along on the forum..........



ps .....I am loving the rain here in Melbourne.....v nice to be running wet again......... I actually went through a favourite park this morning for the first time in many months, because up to now it has been as dry as the moon....



rock and roll





rowey

[beetroot face]

I'm inclined to respond to a male runner.



I never make eye contact with men when they're out walking, but do if they're running, so I guess I'd say Hi! back to you Rowey.



Not sure you'd hear me from Perth though

[deege]

FWIW I don't mind male runners either. I do find that often male runners don't say hi to me unless I say it to them first, so maybe they are all feeling nervous about this very issue.