I run in pre-dawn darkness every weekday in a very small town with a 'grid' layout. There are street lights at the end of each block on the north-south streets, so I have adequate light to see where I'm going.

When I first started walking and then, later, running, I always wore a reflective vest. As time went on, that made me feel more vulnerable - a 'target' if you will. Now, I don't wear a vest, and I know that I can fade into the darkness if I am afraid.

On my runs up to 7 miles, there are four or five cars that pass me on a fairly regular daily schedule, a handful of walkers/runners, and one biker. The newspaper delivery car is one of those daily cars -- I just look for it.

My town is small enough, quiet enough, and the traffic is light enough that this works for me. I can hear and see a vehicle coming from several blocks away.

Also, the town is small enough that, in an emergency situation, I wouldn't hesitate to go bang on the nearest house door -- I know someone on almost every block.

I always have my fully-charged cell phone with me when I run.

I worry more about the skunks than the people...

Ever notice that when wearing a reflective vest that vehicles tend to initally move CLOSER to you before pulling away? I think drivers are initailly drawn to the reflection (out of curiosity?) but then back off. Oh well, it beats getting hit! I agree that the danger of being struck by a car is greater than any other risk out there. Be Safe!

Pepper spray is a good thing if it is legal...carry it in hand. Once I heard something (a bunny) in the brush and could not untie or use the quick release because of the way I tied it. Carry it and be ready. Have your cel phone too.

I run in the boonies with no lights. I look at the driver when passed and wear reflective bands and cars move away much quicker. I sometimes wear my earphones on the lowest setting and only one ear in. I am aware of what is around me.

Of course the Dateline special had me freaked out the other night after I was afraid of the wild animals here.

I trained my lab to walk on my right side. When he would cross I would gently nudge him to the right. So I can now run with him the same way. He tires after 1.5 miles because of the heat here in FL. When the weather cools he'll be better longer.
You can train the dog to one side and it wont take long. Encourage and pet him/her when he/she obeys.

Good luck

Last month while running in the morning (early, but light outside) I was attacked. Let me tell you, not much can "prepare" you to be taken down by an attacker who is a couple times your size and clearly crazy. Going to your kickboxing class isn't going to help. Pepper spray might if your reflexes are sharp. A reflective vest will only (hopefully) prevent a car from running you over in the dark. My incident occurred right in the middle of the street in an urban area. I was able to fight the dude off, and am fine. You just have to anticipate that these things can and DO happen. And when it happens to you, be ready to scream and fight back.

If you´re a reasonable runner you will probabily be able to outrun your atacker. Also, you have to be constantly aware of your suroundings, so dont run with headphones or something like that.

I?ve done some personal safety instructing in the past and let me share some tips?

Run facing traffic. We all know that of course, but when it comes to personal safety, it has the added benefit of if an attack is attempted; the bad guys are in a much less 'tactical' position to chase you down if you run. Couple other thoughts:

If it a theft the guy has in mind, your iPOD is probably his target. Even the most dimwitted thief knows you're not likely carrying much cash. Having said that, if you get accosted, take your iPOD, toss it behind you, yell ?there it is?, and run forward. He?ll more likely chase the iPOD than you.

You can consider carrying ?mugger money?. Same concept as above. Toss it away, he?ll follow it, you escape. It doesn?t have to be much. A couple of dollars in a paperclip will do.

Yell POLICE or Call POLICE or Call 911. Don?t just yell ?help?. Studies show that yelling ?help? is not likely to get the same response as the other calls.

If it isn?t a theft, and it is YOU he is looking to accost, consider:

If he does attempt to chase you down, drop down next to a parked car and roll under it. Makes you rather difficult to manage. Tuck your arms in and keep away from his grabs, if he is even still trying at that point. Alternately, run to someone?s front door if available and bang like mad.

If he does get you, and this might be gross, but it might just work, urinate on yourself. If it grosses him out, it did the trick.

This might just be the most important--- Never, never, never go with the bad guy. Do not let him take you to a secondary location. Your odds of surviving being taken away, especially in a car are minimal compared to standing your ground at the point he grabs you. Better to take a beating fighting on the spot than let him take you to what will be known as the ?secondary crime location?.

In general, trust your instincts, and don?t worry about offending people. If someone gives you the ?heeby-jeebies?, stay alert and keep a distance. If they act insulted that you won?t get closer, don?t sweat it. If someone asks you directions, ect, give it to them from a distance. If they can?t hear you, shout louder. If they come closer. Leave.

Hope that helps?.


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