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Running is a fantastic way to exercise that doesn’t require any special skill set. The following are some safety tips I’ve gathered from my own experience and from some of my running friends. I received Sabre safety products in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click through and make a purchase.
I picked up running in Middle School originally because that’s the sport my brothers were in. Eventually, I realized that I wasn’t going to be good at other sports. Running was something I could do by myself that a team wouldn’t need to rely on any athletic abilities. It’s also a good exercise as an adult since I don’t have any time to join a sports team. Something I’m guessing most of us Mom’s don’t have time for.
Unfortunately, I put off running too frequently because I didn’t feel like it would be safe. Part of it was just an excuse to not get up and move, but it was also a valid excuse. I don’t want it to be a valid excuse anymore. I went asking around to my avid running friends to see what they do to motivate and stay safe while running.
Safety Tips for Runners
Take Pepper Spray or a Personal Alarm. Thanks to Sabre I recently acquired some pepper spray and a personal alarm. Now when I go running alone I feel much safer. The pepper spray has a pretty comfortable strap that wraps around your hand and fits right into your natural runner’s fist. If you have to run alone, this is a great option that makes you not feel alone.
Run with friends/kids/dog. The best option for safety I would say is to run with a partner. Whether that be your best friend, husband, kids, or a pet. It also makes the run more enjoyable if you have someone to talk to. Don’t live near anyone you know that likes running? Find a group with either Road Runners Club of America or a local Meetup.
Run somewhere familiar. Never run alone in an area you are not familiar with. Stick to trails and roads you’ve been on. Knowing the area means you can get help if needed. You’ll also be aware of your surroundings. By being more aware of your surroundings you’re less likely to become a target.
Run in the Early Morning. I had to laugh out loud when I asked my brother in law, who said between 4 AM and 6 AM is a “magical and safe time of day, when all the criminals have finally gone to bed and the rest of society hasn’t woken up yet.” If you choose to run in the early morning I would make sure you still follow the other safety tips.
Run in a busy area. The more people around the less likely you’ll become a victim of an attack. Check what times of the day trails are the busiest and run during those same hours. This is also beneficial if you become injured.
Tell Someone where you are. Before heading out to run alone, make sure you let someone know where you are going, and about how long you plan to be gone. Running or not, this is just a good safety precaution before you go out anywhere alone.
Run on a Treadmill. Of course if you want to run, but just can not find the time or the peace of mind to run outdoors, you can always run inside on a treadmill.
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