Personal protection while jogging, what would you do?

[SuzanneG 1]

I want to ask your opinion. I have started jogging down my road in preparation for my 5k this weekend and beyond. If I jog 1.5 miles from the house then a round trip is 3 miles.

I did it Thursday night and about 1/2 way up my country road, I started to feel a little vulnerable. There were no houses in sight and lots and lots of woods. I was thinking about that black bear we saw last year in our neighborhood and started to worry that some animal, dog, bear, whatever could come out of the woods and I would be defenseless. There aren't many cars going by that time of night and no cell phone signals on that road.

A guy in my vanpool suggested I carry some kind of protection, which I agree with. He also pointed out how many murders have resulted in someone jogging alone.

Having said all that, I'm trying to decide what is reasonable and smart.

I already bought some mace, called "the jogger". It has a holster that straps onto your hand for easy carrying. I haven't jogged with it yet to see how it makes me feel, but it's kind of small and I have to be 8-10 feet from my assailant.

Another option was a taser, but you have to TOUCH your assailant for it to work and I am not about to approach an angry dog or attacker to zap them.

My third option would be to carry a small handgun. Some folks are saying I absolutely should carry it and it would send a clear "don't mess with me" message to any potential attacker and would provide distance from any animal attacker. We have a small 38 special revolver with a holster at home. Part of me feels like an idiot even thinking about it, but the other part of me doesn't want to be foolish either.

What would you do?

[Jachut 487]

Sheesh, I'm glad I live where I do! Nobody in Australia would even think of carrying things like that around, the thought is bizarre to me, to be honest. And people just dont own guns here.

I run either at about 7 am or about 5.30 pm, safe times. I dont go out alone in the dark. I live in a built up suburban area and I stick to the main roads. I wouldnt run in deserted areas, such as parks, reserves or roads with no houses on them. If its late and dark, I run on my treadmill.

I have a little laminated card laced onto my shoe with my name, address and phone number on it, in case I get hit by a car or collapse or something. And I take my phone in a little waist pouch.

I'm usually quite vocal about just doing it, not making excuses not to run. But in a situation where you would actually consider carrying a gun (my jaw hit the floor, I must admit) then really that's a fair indication that its a bit too dangerous.

[MacMadame 81]

Are there often people up your country road? I don't go out on the road from twilight on but that's because I don't want to be hit by cars. I don't like to carry things when I run either and wouldn't carry anything that had to be held in my hand.

[SuzanneG 1]

I wouldn't be running at night, but around 7pm, it gets dark around 8 right now. There are fairly long stretches of road with no houses and there is no cell service out there either. It's not a "bad area", just very remote.

I do love that run though, it's nice view, quiet and pleasant and mentally, the out and back is so much easier than circles or time on the treadmill. It's just a little too secluded for me to feel safe alone. DH and I ran it Sat morning and really enjoyed it.

I think I've just about decided that I will either find someone to run with me or I'll just drive over to DD's neighborhood and run there. The problem with that is that it will add about 30 mins to my total routine and I don't even get started until 7pm. I go to bed between 9 and 10 and get up at 4am.

The treadmill has become really hard for me mentally since I completed the C25K. When I was focused on that, I didn't mind it, but once I got to straight running, the boredom really gets the better of me. Even with an iPod.

[Libbyjane1976 1]

If you are up against those kind of obstacles (nature) I would just drive to my local school and use the track. It's much safer that way.

[circa 0]

This is actually something I have a lot of experience with. I do carry, depending on where I run. If I were to run at the school track, I wouldn't. If I'm running down the country road or in another area that is isolated you bet I do - and with good reason - we have wild animals and even the issue of the rare attacker that I've actually experienced. I don't take chances. Its also a good idea to only have one headphone on/in your ear if you're listening to music when running.

That being said....DO NOT CARRY A GUN IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

Also, as far as the pepper spray or mace goes, talk to a DNR or forestry ranger - see if its effective on animals in your area. Some bears eat that stuff like its a seasoning. You don't want to have a false sense of security.

[want_so_bad 0]

have you looked into bear spray? i used it on some dogs that would not stop bothering me on my walks and they never bothered me again. i do recommend making sure you move away quickly after spraying it though! even the tiniest whiff of the stuff chokes you up fast! lol, and yes, i am telling you this from experience. but man, those dogs caught sight of us and would run! it was great. and we didnt fear walking by that area anymore on our nightly walks.

i hope you find a solution to your problem. the thought of not being able to do something that you so enjoy would really be a bummer. good luck.

Edited May 6, 2009 by want_so_bad

[SuzanneG 1]

I did look into bear spray but that can is ginormous! I think it would be easier to carry the gun.

I do have a shoulder holster for it and I'm comfortable with guns, just never ran with one before.

My local school is also quite remote and oftentimes has young guys out there playing basketball. I feel more comfortable staying close to home.

I came up with the idea to find a running partner. DH goes with me on Sat, but the only fit guy on my street (there are only 20 houses on my street) has asthma and can't run. DSIL lives near by, but is going to school and working full time, so he'll only be available once in a while.

I think I may just practice with the gun a little bit and then give it a go.

Thanks for the advice!

[circa 0]

haha they do make small keychain sized ones for joggers - but if you're comfortable with the firearm and all - why not?

[SuzanneG 1]

Small BEAR one's? The only one I saw for bear was about the size of a hairspray can. I did get a keychain sized one, but figured it would do nothing against a bear and even question how far it might get me with an angry dog.

A coworker, who lives in MD, just told me a story about a husband and wife her were jogging down a rural road at 6:30 in the morning recently. A van pulled over, shot and killed the husband and raped and beat the woman and left her for dead. What a sad sad thing.

I hate that I feel like I need protection, but everyone says I'm crazy if I don't do something.

[want_so_bad 0]

the bear spray i had was just the small can, key chain size one. fit into the palm of my hand while i was walking. it worked great on the dogs i used it on and i barely pressed the trigger. i was kinda scared of using it. i was afraid of using it, i didnt want to hurt them (stupid i know, here i was, scared they were going to bite me, and i was scared to hurt them). they took off running and yiiping and wimpering. and my friend and i took off coughing and gagging gagging because at that same time a light breeze blew it back at us just a little. i mean, we barely got a hint of it and it was horrid!

if you are interested in the small can pm me and i can see about getting you a can from the store here that i got mine and sending it to you.

i am comfortable with guns too. if you are worried about something like you talked about happening i think by all means you should do some target practice and start caring if it makes you feel better. i live out in the country, but not as remote as you it would seem.

[SuzanneG 1]

Thanks, I may take you up on that. Where do you live? I live in VA.

[want_so_bad 0]

i live in wyoming. let me know if you would like me to. it wouldnt be a problem at all.

[SuzanneG 1]

I think I would. Can you tell me how much it costs and how I can pay you? Do you have a paypal account?

[Malaika 50]

I think I've just about decided that I will either find someone to run with me or I'll just drive over to DD's neighborhood and run there. The problem with that is that it will add about 30 mins to my total routine and I don't even get started until 7pm. I go to bed between 9 and 10 and get up at 4am.

The first thought that came to my mind was a co-worker who was running in a park early evening with headphones on and someone came up behind her and stabbed her 17 times -- she did live -- however it was iffy for quite some time.

The second thought that came to mind was what is more valuable to you -- your life or your time -- in my opinion, if adding 30 minutes to your total routine will put you in a safer environment where you don't have to worry about attacks, then the 30 minutes it worth it to me.

Hope you find a happy solution that makes you feel comfortable and less vulnerable so you can enjoy your evening run.