My runs usually take place at about 4:30AM and I run in a city. I do try wearing something reflective like others and being a guy and the fact that there are plenty of cars on the road I do not worry as much about personal attack.

I highly recommend anyone running to purchase an ID that you can bring with you. I was running for a while with the only thing in my pocket being an apartment key. One of my fellow runners on this website works with dead people (I am not kidding here) and she said the amount of people that have to come in as Jane or John Doe until family comes looking for them is amazing. There are many runner's ID's that you can carry with you and I recommend and never leave home without my RoadID http://www.roadid.com/. Mine fits on my wrist and has my name, emergency phone numbers, and blood type on it. There is also a 800 number that first responders can call and get more detailed information about me. The reason I chose a wrist model is because 1st responders are trained to look at wrists for medical alert bracelet. They would normally not look at your shoes and ankles for this. BTW - I do not work for this company in any way, I am just a happy customer.

Mike

Yes I have been thinking of what to take with me

Our weather is not so great just now, snow in march!! I have been getting used as target practise
from all the useless teenagers in our area, But it has made me think what if?

pepper spray is a good one. I just completed W4 D1, thought I would not be able to do it
but being confronted by one of these nasty teenagers seemed to help my run as my addrenalin
was pumping, seemed to make the first 5 min run almost easy.

on a serious note though, I really enjoy running on my own and would rather do it at night
so no one can see me but in todays world its not the best idea but a treadmill just does not compare
to the real thing.

I run early in the morning as well. When I started, I always ran on the indoor track at the Y because I was worried that I would feel funny running in my neighborhood before it was light out. One day I decided to try it and it was fine and actually kind of peaceful to be running outside at that time of day. I have a reflective vest with an ID pouch that I wear over my shirt. I also add a blinky light for extra visibility. So far, I haven't carried pepper spray and haven't had a need for it, but I do carry my cell phone and a whistle. There are other people out running or walking in my neighborhood in the early morning and I also usually see the paper delivery person when I'm out.

Marilyn

Thanks so much for this info. I'm going to order mine right now.

Sandy