The recent news of Eliza missing and presumably found dead is unthinkable. I am heartbroken for her family. I am praying for them.
I am a female and often run alone at 5 am. To be honest, I don’t really take any extra safety precautions besides bringing my phone with me. This has really shaken me, and I am wondering what others do to feel safe when running alone?
1. Live somewhere nice. Memphis is one of the most dangerous cities in TN.
2. Run on trails, I try to limit running on cities streets as much as possible mainly because of cars. While this recent news has hit the mainstream. What doesn't hit the mainstream news as much is how dangerous the US is for pedistrans and cyclist compared to other developed countries. It doesn't help either that drivers in America if they do get caught injuring or killing a pedistrans or cyclist typically just get a slap on the wrist.
My main recommendation is to use common sense. Don't run late at night or so early in the morning that no one is around. Try to run in places where there are always other people. Don't run by yourself in secluded areas. Be aware and just recognize that there are predators and creeps out there.
I have an idea. They make self defense sirens about the size of a half pack of gum. You pull the pin and it emits an ear splitting siren that won't go off until you replace the pin. You'd attach the device to your clothing and just pull the pin if you needed an alarm. A perp would have to get it off you and then crush it to stop its alarm. If you had two, it would be really hard to shut them both off.
I have no idea if this is a good alarm, but I'm including a link so you can see what I mean.
amazon.com
Amazon.com : Personal Alarm Keychain for Women Self Defense - USB Rechargeable 130 dB Loud Safety Siren Whistle with LED Light – Panic Button or Pull Pin Alert Device Key Chain by WETEN (Black) : Electronics
I have been running and cycling outdoors, usually alone, all my adult life (well over 40 years) in many different towns and cities in the U.S. and also abroad when on business travel. In that time I've experienced plenty of verbal abuse (much less now that I'm an old lady) but have only twice been really scared by someone following me and have never been a victim of anything. All my life I've done most of my running between 5 and 7:30 am and I have never carried any weapon or taken any special precautions besides the obvious: pay attention to my surroundings (no music), don't be afraid to change a planned route if something doesn't look right,, and carry myself with confidence.
Yes, there are occasional attacks on women out running, but I've chosen to consider that risk small enough to not rule my life.
I have an idea. They make self defense sirens about the size of a half pack of gum. You pull the pin and it emits an ear splitting siren that won't go off until you replace the pin. You'd attach the device to your clothing and just pull the pin if you needed an alarm. A perp would have to get it off you and then crush it to stop its alarm. If you had two, it would be really hard to shut them both off.
I have no idea if this is a good alarm, but I'm including a link so you can see what I mean.
This looked okay when I first posted it, but after reading the reviews, I would NOT buy this siren. One reviewer said it was easy to turn on and off. You don't want it to be easy to turn off! We had one that was impossible to turn off without replacing the pin in the slot. That's the one you want.
Another reviewer complained that it could be louder. The one we had was so loud you wouldn't want to be in the same room when it went off.
I'd probably attach the alarm inside the shorts or shirt and tie a piece of shoestring to the pull tab. If you need it, just pull the string and drop the string and pull tab. The alarm goes off and stays on you.
I'm female, and I'm honestly not trying to be PC when I say this--everyone needs to take safety precautions. Not just women.
The only two stories I know of where someone was attacked during a run happened to men, who were mugged.
I'm a woman. I live in a metropolitan area and I try to run in the day time--not sun rising, or sun setting, but daytime. (this can be hard for those who live in hot climate). I run on a paved trail that usually has a lot of bike and foot traffic. I always bring my phone and I've never felt unsafe.
I'd say try to find a buddy, or a space that you know will be populated. Honestly, running in populated areas is important for a lot of reasons. You could have a health issue, or need help. Not good to be out in the woods miles away from anyone or any cell service.
Switching up your routine is important too. Don't do the same runs every time you go out.
It's also not just on women to keep themselves safe. There are ways for everyone to make others feel safe too.
--Be sure to give everyone space on the trail. Don't run up too close to others you don't know. If you're passing, give as wide a berth as possible. Don't give the impression that you are "sneaking up" on someone.
--Men--please leave women you don't know alone as much as you can when they are running. Don't flag women you don't know to ask questions or ask "directions" or things like that. Don't ask for the time or for anything strange. Don't try to make comments or jokes to women you don't know even if you mean nothing by it. This has happened on the trail, and truthfully it's been innocent every time, but it does get you a little scared because you never know who you are talking to. Please remember that there's an added fear/need to protect oneself for women.
It's also not just on women to keep themselves safe. There are ways for everyone to make others feel safe too.
--Be sure to give everyone space on the trail. Don't run up too close to others you don't know. If you're passing, give as wide a berth as possible. Don't give the impression that you are "sneaking up" on someone.
--Men--please leave women you don't know alone as much as you can when they are running. Don't flag women you don't know to ask questions or ask "directions" or things like that. Don't ask for the time or for anything strange. Don't try to make comments or jokes to women you don't know even if you mean nothing by it. This has happened on the trail, and truthfully it's been innocent every time, but it does get you a little scared because you never know who you are talking to. Please remember that there's an added fear/need to protect oneself for women.
completely pointless post. counterproductive even.
It's about keeping yourself safe. You might be annoying, but you won't make other people actually unsafe by doing the things you mentioned in your post.
Whoever is reading this is not the problem. The guy who killed her probably can't even read.
Completely delusional post, as it's usual here.
This can only be a troll post. Why do i still come to this sh-thole...
It's also not just on women to keep themselves safe. There are ways for everyone to make others feel safe too.
--Be sure to give everyone space on the trail. Don't run up too close to others you don't know. If you're passing, give as wide a berth as possible. Don't give the impression that you are "sneaking up" on someone.
--Men--please leave women you don't know alone as much as you can when they are running. Don't flag women you don't know to ask questions or ask "directions" or things like that. Don't ask for the time or for anything strange. Don't try to make comments or jokes to women you don't know even if you mean nothing by it. This has happened on the trail, and truthfully it's been innocent every time, but it does get you a little scared because you never know who you are talking to. Please remember that there's an added fear/need to protect oneself for women.
completely pointless post. counterproductive even.
It's about keeping yourself safe. You might be annoying, but you won't make other people actually unsafe by doing the things you mentioned in your post.
Whoever is reading this is not the problem. The guy who killed her probably can't even read.
Completely delusional post, as it's usual here.
This can only be a troll post. Why do i still come to this sh-thole...
It's also not just on women to keep themselves safe. There are ways for everyone to make others feel safe too.
--Be sure to give everyone space on the trail. Don't run up too close to others you don't know. If you're passing, give as wide a berth as possible. Don't give the impression that you are "sneaking up" on someone.
--Men--please leave women you don't know alone as much as you can when they are running. Don't flag women you don't know to ask questions or ask "directions" or things like that. Don't ask for the time or for anything strange. Don't try to make comments or jokes to women you don't know even if you mean nothing by it. This has happened on the trail, and truthfully it's been innocent every time, but it does get you a little scared because you never know who you are talking to. Please remember that there's an added fear/need to protect oneself for women.
completely pointless post. counterproductive even.
It's about keeping yourself safe. You might be annoying, but you won't make other people actually unsafe by doing the things you mentioned in your post.
Whoever is reading this is not the problem. The guy who killed her probably can't even read.
Completely delusional post, as it's usual here.
This can only be a troll post. Why do i still come to this sh-thole...
I recommend all female runners need to work out. Push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, deep knee bends, etc. Cross-training is helpful in general but cross-training may save your life. Fight to the death OUTSIDE of vehicle. I do not care if some has a knife pressed against you or if someone is pointing a weapon at you, NEVER GET IN A VEHICLE WITH ATTACKERS. Hopefully if a person fights hard enough, attacker will give up and move on. This is not only an issue for females, teenage boys face these abductions daily. If boys manage to get away, boys rarely make police reports. Boys often do not want to admit being a sexual molestation victim.
Not sure where you were going with the teenage boy molestation story but you kind left it hanging.
1. Live somewhere nice. Memphis is one of the most dangerous cities in TN.
2. Run on trails, I try to limit running on cities streets as much as possible mainly because of cars. While this recent news has hit the mainstream. What doesn't hit the mainstream news as much is how dangerous the US is for pedistrans and cyclist compared to other developed countries. It doesn't help either that drivers in America if they do get caught injuring or killing a pedistrans or cyclist typically just get a slap on the wrist.
You are no safer in "nice" places. A few years ago near me a women was abducted by a stranger and killed in Princeton Massachusetts out on a run. It's a beautiful rural town. We also had a guy murdered by a random stranger in Warwick City Park in Rhode Island.
A couple on a hike in southern New Hampshire was randomly killed on trails in a nice community.
A friend of mine was attacked in the middle of the day in Narragansett, Rhode Island in a very affluent area. She was restraint trained and was able to pin the guy. They found duct tape, rope, etc. in his car when they arrested him.
It's scary. One of the best things to do is run with friends. Pepper spray, self-defense, etc, helps. It's a shame we all have to live with this possibility.
completely pointless post. counterproductive even.
It's about keeping yourself safe. You might be annoying, but you won't make other people actually unsafe by doing the things you mentioned in your post.
Whoever is reading this is not the problem. The guy who killed her probably can't even read.
Completely delusional post, as it's usual here.
This can only be a troll post. Why do i still come to this sh-thole...
Why was this post so offensive to you?
I see the point here rrall02 made. How often is the attacker another runner?
There was an article in Runner's World about not making other runners uncomfortable if you are a guy. I can't recall a single incident regarding another person out running in running gear.
My wife has a small taser that fits in her hand. My daughters typically run with us and our large dog. All have had a couple of years of self defense classes and know a couple ways to kill a man. The perp is a POS. The left will paint him as the victim, as they have done for years. We live in an insane time where criminals are painted as victims.