Do you jog alone in the early morning?

[GreenPapaya]

Omg, mugged while cycling? What did they do? Knock her off her bike? That is super scary. I hope she is fully recovered. I'm so sorry. The cyclists this morning ride very fast. It's impossible to cross the street, I can't imagine getting mugged going at this speed.

Hahaha at this point, maybe wear a full body armor complete with helmet and a rucksack? I used to do runs and marches in full armor and only have bad things to say about it.

Those are beautiful photos! And this is NJ??? The only places I've been to in NJ are AC, Wildwood (awful place lol), Newark, Hoboken and Jersey City. And various farms and amusement parks. It doesn't look anything like that

Enjoy your jog. I went jogging this morning and you inspired me to jog for 3.6 miles lol. That's .1 mi more than last week.

 

[missy]

Just because you *can* run doesn't mean you *should* run ... particularly if your doc said no running ... maybe shoot him an email or phone call to let him know you are running 5 miles per run X times a week ... see what he says?

Thanks Mary. I spoke with my new orthopedic surgeon and she’s all for me jogging. She did say a Pilon fracture (the kind I had) is a brutal fracture but luckily I had an amazing surgeon and did really well in rehab.

 

[missy]

Omg, mugged while cycling? What did they do? Knock her off her bike? That is super scary. I hope she is fully recovered. I'm so sorry. The cyclists this morning ride very fast. It's impossible to cross the street, I can't imagine getting mugged going at this speed.

Hahaha at this point, maybe wear a full body armor complete with helmet and a rucksack? I used to do runs and marches in full armor and only have bad things to say about it.

Those are beautiful photos! And this is NJ??? The only places I've been to in NJ are AC, Wildwood (awful place lol), Newark, Hoboken and Jersey City. And various farms and amusement parks. It doesn't look anything like that

Enjoy your jog. I went jogging this morning and you inspired me to jog for 3.6 miles lol. That's .1 mi more than last week.

Yes. She was riding a bike. Can you believe it? She’s not the same. It was over 20 years ago. She broke a few bones in the attack and it’s been a heartbreaking downturn. Disgusting what happened to her just so they could get a few dollars.

We’re at the jersey shore. It is beautiful here. It’s the only place I would want to be if I’m not in Brooklyn. Anytime you want to come down the shore please let me know.

And woohoo! You go girl!

 

[TooPatient]

Is there a local FB or MeetUp group you could join? Doesn't even have to be a jogging group. A lady in our area wanted to hike with others so set up a neighborhood hiking FB group. Usually a few at each hike and often up to 20. You might do the same with jogging. (That said, be careful! My cautious mind says that setting up such a thing and saying when& where you will be (even Ina private group) could be dangerous.) Anyway, just an idea.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Haha my neighbors already think I am crazy probably lol I could just imagine running up and down the street 500 times



Thank you Sharon! You know what? I totally forgot the surgeon told me not to run anymore. OMG. But I guess if I can run without pain it is OK right? I cannot believe I forgot he told me no more running. See what we can do despite what our doctors tell us? There are no limits. Only self imposed ones.



Thanks Karl! I ordered the set that has the practice pepper spray and I also tried the one I have today and it works. Appreciate the info and links.



Exactly. Bad things happen at all times of day. I feel safe jogging in the early morning here. I really do. Thanks Daisy.


It was a beautiful morning jogging today. I saw a gorgeous egret (photo in an above post) and it was a serene morning.

Back in the day at the beginning i used to run a lot at the beach
Its kinder to the feet
We lived very close to the beach at St Kilda (Dunedin) but once at the beach suburban is hidden by sand dunes it becomes very remote
Except on hot days our long beautiful white sand beach was pretty deserted - nothing between us and Antarctica
And what wasn't sandhills was reserve, the golf links and the cemetery
My freind used to walk daily just after lunch
Once she got approached by a young man who came out of the sand hills with pornographic pictures
We were always awear
As younger kids mum never let us go to the beach or the playground on our own but once we became teenagers we went everywhere !
But this, when we were in our early 20s just reminded us to be careful

Moving to Wellington's hard concrete footpaths and working on a concrete floor just killed my running
What is the surface you are running on ?
Good Jersey soil ?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks Mary. I spoke with my new orthopedic surgeon and she’s all for me jogging. She did say a Pilon fracture (the kind I had) is a brutal fracture but luckily I had an amazing surgeon and did really well in rehab.

Awsome news !
(its winter here)

 

[Jambalaya]

While nothing really bad has happened to me, I've experienced enough threatening behavior to put me off ever being in deserted areas alone. Men sneering at me from their cars, flashers following me, curb-crawling, and more, and this stuff started when I was about ten, with the latest incident being the last time I took a walk alone in a deserted area approximately two years ago.

It was a dirt track and the guy was in a white truck, and there wasn't room enough on the track for both of us, so I stood aside to let the truck pass. His window was open and he said something really sneeringly at me as he passed. I couldn't make out what he said in the least, but his tone was pretty nasty. It seems to happen to me often if I'm ever in a deserted area alone, which is rare. Personally, I wouldn't enjoy the jog at all. I'd be too worried about this kind of thing. I mean, even if nothing actually happens, low-grade incidents like this ruin it anyway.

ETA: Imagine a world where women felt totally safe to run in deserted places of natural beauty early in the morning. It would be completely amazing.

Except, it probably wouldn't be deserted because if we felt safe, many of us would probably be out there doing it!

 

[Jambalaya]

Sometimes I take the lanes where I am more visible (though more likely to get hit by a car or tractor as there are no pavements & the lanes are very twisty with poor visibility) but mostly i head into the fields & bridle tracks. I run through woodlands & up & down steep embankments

Alex, your morning runs sound wonderful. And you never come across a lone man who does something to frighten you, as is my experience above? I wish I could run in nature alone, too, but there just seem to be so many weirdos around. Are you not a little concerned after the two high-profile recent murders in the UK, Sarah Everard and Julia James?

I'm kind of envious that you and Missy are able to put the fears aside and experience the wonder of early-morning nature. I'm pretty scared about being in deserted areas alone, so I just don't think I would enjoy it, being on my guard all the time and probably heart in my mouth if I spotted a lone man. I wish I could, though. Good for you and Missy!

 

[Jambalaya]

Bear spray?

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

While nothing really bad has happened to me, I've experienced enough threatening behavior to put me off ever being in deserted areas alone. Men sneering at me from their cars, flashers following me, curb-crawling, and more, and this stuff started when I was about ten, with the latest incident being the last time I took a walk alone in a deserted area approximately two years ago.

It was a dirt track and the guy was in a white truck, and there wasn't room enough on the track for both of us, so I stood aside to let the truck pass. His window was open and he said something really sneeringly at me as he passed. I couldn't make out what he said in the least, but his tone was pretty nasty. It seems to happen to me often if I'm ever in a deserted area alone, which is rare. Personally, I wouldn't enjoy the jog at all. I'd be too worried about this kind of thing. I mean, even if nothing actually happens, low-grade incidents like this ruin it anyway.

ETA: Imagine a world where women felt totally safe to run in deserted places of natural beauty early in the morning. It would be completely amazing.

Except, it probably wouldn't be deserted because if we felt safe, many of us would probably be out there doing it!

I read somewhere the differences between a man and a womam is a man can go for a run alone at 11pm

mind you bad stuff still happens out there

 

[Ally T]

Alex, your morning runs sound wonderful. And you never come across a lone man who does something to frighten you, as is my experience above? I wish I could run in nature alone, too, but there just seem to be so many weirdos around. Are you not a little concerned after the two high-profile recent murders in the UK, Sarah Everard and Julia James?

I'm kind of envious that you and Missy are able to put the fears aside and experience the wonder of early-morning nature. I'm pretty scared about being in deserted areas alone, so I just don't think I would enjoy it, being on my guard all the time and probably heart in my mouth if I spotted a lone man. I wish I could, though. Good for you and Missy!

Hi lovely. I am so saddened to hear of the experiences you have had. Definitely enough to put you off being out alone - make sure you stay safe.

The advantage i have running where I do, is that I live in a really rural little village surrounded by working farm land. The tracks & fields i run through connect my little village to the next one along. In the middle, between fields that get ploughed & planted, there is dense woodland with a stream, which is the only area I feel could be a potential hazard, as the rest is very open. I run quickly through the rough & do always have my wits about me. But thankfully I know the farmers & the only people I generally see are either from my village or the next, out walking dogs or riding horses. Quite often I can be stopped for 15 minutes chatting, which is lovely in the sense that I have met people from the other village I wouldn't ordinarily have met. There are also 3 properties dotted along there that I pass, one belongs to my eldest daughters best friend & we know them, one belongs to one of my best friends, and the other is a family who's daughter is in my youngests class at school & her mum runs too - we've just passed each other going in opposite directions this morning.

Occasionally I will see a strange man & that does get my spidey senses tingling a bit, so I up my pace & am VERY aware of how far behind he may be & where he is heading. But generally you wouldn't be out walking this way if you weren't from the area.

So in a nutshell, i would say for 90% of the time I feel perfectly safe & happy, 8% of the time I am aware of a stranger & 2% of the time I will feel anxious to get away from someone. I have GPS on my phone & Mr T always knows which route I'm taking & when to expect me home. If i were to fall & hurt myself, there would be somebody I know passing with a dog within maybe 10 minutes. I guess I feel safe enough to go, as I go 5 mornings a week & I enjoy it.

 

[Jambalaya]

Sounds really idyllic, Alex! I wish I could come with you!

 

[Arcadian]

I'm out early with my dogs, I still don't go out without at least pepper spray. I usually won't ccw so early in the morning because it can sometimes be a chore (gotta have the license, gotta make sure its all secure and hidden) but it can be done. When I worked out super early I did, and I wore a fanny pack to carry it all.

And even though I'm in a great neighborhood, I've had to use my pepper spray on stray dogs that would try to attack (never discount that part!)

I'm in huge favor of fanny packs @missy as they can help to keep your hands free should you need them to be.

 

[Ally T]

Sounds really idyllic, Alex! I wish I could come with you!

If you ever get over to the UK you can come & join me! Walking around here is just as peaceful as running & we drag the girls out with us at wkends & school holidays for a stroll. My youngest is convinced the Tooth Fairy must live in the base of one of the trees (there are hundreds & hundreds of trees) so she's always mooching in the trees. And they both end up in the stream - wellies are a must no matter the season!

We are very lucky to live here. It's good for the soul out there!

 

[Jambalaya]

Alex - it sounds like something out of Wind in the Willows! Do you have bluebells? Would love to see some photos of the stream and the nature around you.

 

[Ally T]

Alex - it sounds like something out of Wind in the Willows! Do you have bluebells? Would love to see some photos of the stream and the nature around you.

Wind In The Willows

But we DO have bluebells & they're currently in full bloom! I stopped to snap these pictures yesterday morning as the early sunlight was so pretty. These are in the woodland & you can see the stream cutting through. My girls get in & walk the length until they get to the Reservoir. I have heaps of pics from my morning run, from early mist blanketing the fields to snow to torrential rain. I love being out here.

 

[Jax172]

No. I live in a “safe” area and we had a guy attacking women on the running path a few years ago. It’s unfortunate but as a woman we are never really safe. Now I run with my husband or only mid day through neighborhoods. Not in wilderness areas.

I would say if you are going to keep doing it than don’t follow the same paths or go on the same days every week. If someone is looking for an opportunity you could be making it easy for them to track your habits and plan an attack.

Bring your pepper spray. Learn how to use it. It’s good for a human attacker but as someone mentioned wildlife and dogs are also a concern. I got bit by a dog on a leash. The owner had pulled him off into the grass so I could run by but apparently she was unable to hold her large dog and he lunged and bit me on the hip. So imagine what a wild animal you are not expecting could do.

Having a tracking device on such as a GPS watch or an app on your phone is a good idea too. Make sure someone knows when you should be getting back so if you are late they can check in on your tracker.

I know it sucks but the burden of being a woman means we have to imagine all the horrible outcomes for simply doing a normal activity.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'm out early with my dogs, I still don't go out without at least pepper spray. I usually won't ccw so early in the morning because it can sometimes be a chore (gotta have the license, gotta make sure its all secure and hidden) but it can be done. When I worked out super early I did, and I wore a fanny pack to carry it all.

And even though I'm in a great neighborhood, I've had to use my pepper spray on stray dogs that would try to attack (never discount that part!)

I'm in huge favor of fanny packs @missy as they can help to keep your hands free should you need them to be.

Dogs worry me
When i walk to work i get barked out the entire way

I have made one little freind
the cutest but fattest jack russel / foxy ? You ever saw
when she sees me she exercises her tail

 

[Jambalaya]

Alex T - thank you so much for the photos! I was wondering what it looked like, and it's beautiful! I'm so glad you enjoy the peace of nature and that you don't let the VERY rare weirdo and TINY chance of anything happening to you spoil it. I'm just a Nervous Nellie, that's all. It makes me happy to know of at least one woman who is out there enjoying it all and not letting news stories hold you back! Of course, the reason these stories make such a splash is because they're so rare. It sounds as if you live in a pretty upscale area, and while not wanting to sound like a snob or anything, I think that helps a lot.

 

[Rhea]

In addition to a couple of these things, I also wear a dog tag on my shoe, threaded through a lace and tucked so it faces out. On one side is my name and an emergency contact number (not my phone number) and on the other side is allergens.

If I fall or become hurt and am turned in they could ID me or my body, call my contact, and know what not to treat me with. I got mine made up at a pet store for just a few bucks years ago and move it when I change shoes.

 

[Ally T]

Alex T - thank you so much for the photos! I was wondering what it looked like, and it's beautiful! I'm so glad you enjoy the peace of nature and that you don't let the VERY rare weirdo and TINY chance of anything happening to you spoil it. I'm just a Nervous Nellie, that's all. It makes me happy to know of at least one woman who is out there enjoying it all and not letting news stories hold you back! Of course, the reason these stories make such a splash is because they're so rare. It sounds as if you live in a pretty upscale area, and while not wanting to sound like a snob or anything, I think that helps a lot.

Thank you. What you said here is lovely & it really touched me this evening. I really do live in a wonderful part of the world & now we are looking for a bigger house, the list of mandatory things does include plenty of outdoor fields & woodlands. This was added to Mr T & the girls' request for a cinema room & my only request so far: a wine fridge

I just wish every woman out there was safe & that it wasn't mandatory training from a very early age that we must be on our guard, we must learn self defense, we must never walk alone & especially at night, we must carry keys in our hand to use as a weapon. Yuk.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

In addition to a couple of these things, I also wear a dog tag on my shoe, threaded through a lace and tucked so it faces out. On one side is my name and an emergency contact number (not my phone number) and on the other side is allergens.

If I fall or become hurt and am turned in they could ID me or my body, call my contact, and know what not to treat me with. I got mine made up at a pet store for just a few bucks years ago and move it when I change shoes.

This is a very good idea

 

[jaysonsmom]

This morning while I was jogging, there was a man and a woman next to an SUV parked on the side of the road with the rear hatch open . The couple was on the sidewalk where I was jogging and seemed to be surveying something...pointing at a fence, and both had some type of long tool in their hands. Due to this thread, I'm all paranoid and ran across the street about 50ft before I reached them. I kept thinking....they seemed harmless enough, but I may be able to overpower 1 person, but with 2 people, and both holding something that could be used as a weapon....I wasn't going to change it! All worker's vans that drove by me were all met with evil glares by me (haha) not that my glares could protect me!

 

[Rhea]

This is a very good idea

Thanks!
A female coach had the girls' team do it back when I played. We spent a lot of time running and it was before mobile phones. It feels a bit redundant now but what if I'm separated from my phone or emergency services can't unlock it. Plus my allergies aren't recorded on my phone anywhere. It's a stainless tag, pretty shiny, and I like to think emergency services would notice it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks!
A female coach had the girls' team do it back when I played. We spent a lot of time running and it was before mobile phones. It feels a bit redundant now but what if I'm separated from my phone or emergency services can't unlock it. Plus my allergies aren't recorded on my phone anywhere. It's a stainless tag, pretty shiny, and I like to think emergency services would notice it.

Im going to do this !
Thank you for sharing

I have my other half listed on my phone as emergent contact - i don't have a pin on my phone

 

[missy]

Good morning everyone. I appreciate everyone's input. Nothing beats running in nature. I am in awe of all the gorgeous wildlife and flowers and ocean and all of it. I saw two egrets the other day.





@Alex T I am glad you enjoy running in nature too.

@Jambalaya thank you for your concern. I wish you could run with me and experience this too.

@Daisys and Diamonds cmon, we will have Bruce join us for ice cream


@Rhea that's a good idea. Hopefully it will never come to that.

@jaysonsmom umm yeah I would have run the other way too. I have a very cautious mindset and I would have thought the same thing...potential danger. I always remember the way Ted Bundy used to get his victims to help him before he kidnapped and murdered them.

@Arcadian thanks. Yes I carry pepper spray now thanks to the wonderful suggestions in this thread. We actually do have guns (and permits) but not carry permits and TBH I wouldn't want to run with a gun even if we had carry permits but it would be near impossible in NY and NJ to get carry permits for us anyway. I never had a fanny pack but it is a good idea and based on your strong recommendation I will look into it. I need something because I am carrying my iPhone in one hand and pepper spray in my other hand as I have no pockets.

@Jax172 thanks for chiming in and yes we do carry a burden being a woman. We can never rest easy that we are safe. We are easier targets than men while jogging for sure.

@TooPatient thanks again for the additional suggestions. I am so not a joiner. PS might be the only group I ever joined and stuck with lol. I dropped out of the brownies haha.


Update. So yesterday I had a very early AM appointment (7AM) so by the time I got home it was too warm for me to jog. So I dusted off my treadmill (Last used 7 years ago !!!) and OMG I LOVE it. I cannot believe it. I jogged 5 miles on it and it was not awful haha. I had my music (which I cannot do while jogging outside) and my creature comforts (bathroom when I needed it and I did after those tests I had done yesterday morning) and it was enjoyable actually. So now I feel like I have a good mix of treadmill inside and running outside and I am going to switch it up depending on the weather and my schedule. I am very pleased with this turn of events. And all my self defense stuff came yesterday also so now I have my personal alarms and more pepper spray and I am set.


Thanks all for chiming in with helpful suggestions. I appreciate your time and energy and your clever recommendations. PSers rock in many ways. What don't we know collectively as a group? Diamonds, colored gems, hobbies, health issues, clothing, politics, cars, cycling, ice cream, vaccines, etc.

I might start a new thread with sneaker recommendations. I need two new pairs. One for trail running and one for treadmill running.

Thank you...be safe out there and enjoy!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I would love a treadmill
Enjoy ! Missy

 

[Ally T]

Good morning everyone. I appreciate everyone's input. Nothing beats running in nature. I am in awe of all the gorgeous wildlife and flowers and ocean and all of it. I saw two egrets the other day.





@Alex T I am glad you enjoy running in nature too.

@Jambalaya thank you for your concern. I wish you could run with me and experience this too.

@Daisys and Diamonds cmon, we will have Bruce join us for ice cream


@Rhea that's a good idea. Hopefully it will never come to that.

@jaysonsmom umm yeah I would have run the other way too. I have a very cautious mindset and I would have thought the same thing...potential danger. I always remember the way Ted Bundy used to get his victims to help him before he kidnapped and murdered them.

@Arcadian thanks. Yes I carry pepper spray now thanks to the wonderful suggestions in this thread. We actually do have guns (and permits) but not carry permits and TBH I wouldn't want to run with a gun even if we had carry permits but it would be near impossible in NY and NJ to get carry permits for us anyway. I never had a fanny pack but it is a good idea and based on your strong recommendation I will look into it. I need something because I am carrying my iPhone in one hand and pepper spray in my other hand as I have no pockets.

@Jax172 thanks for chiming in and yes we do carry a burden being a woman. We can never rest easy that we are safe. We are easier targets than men while jogging for sure.

@TooPatient thanks again for the additional suggestions. I am so not a joiner. PS might be the only group I ever joined and stuck with lol. I dropped out of the brownies haha.


Update. So yesterday I had a very early AM appointment (7AM) so by the time I got home it was too warm for me to jog. So I dusted off my treadmill (Last used 7 years ago !!!) and OMG I LOVE it. I cannot believe it. I jogged 5 miles on it and it was not awful haha. I had my music (which I cannot do while jogging outside) and my creature comforts (bathroom when I needed it and I did after those tests I had done yesterday morning) and it was enjoyable actually. So now I feel like I have a good mix of treadmill inside and running outside and I am going to switch it up depending on the weather and my schedule. I am very pleased with this turn of events. And all my self defense stuff came yesterday also so now I have my personal alarms and more pepper spray and I am set.


Thanks all for chiming in with helpful suggestions. I appreciate your time and energy and your clever recommendations. PSers rock in many ways. What don't we know collectively as a group? Diamonds, colored gems, hobbies, health issues, clothing, politics, cars, cycling, ice cream, vaccines, etc.

I might start a new thread with sneaker recommendations. I need two new pairs. One for trail running and one for treadmill running.

Thank you...be safe out there and enjoy!

This is great news! I loved my running machine & know when we (eventually) move, I will be creating space for another one.

Plus variety is a big bonus. You are more likely to stick to an exercise agenda if you have options. Now that my joints are getting old & creaky, some mornings I opt to just do a brisk walk instead. It still gets me out, but there's no pressure & I can exercise however I choose.

Well done, lovely lady!

 

[missy]

This is great news! I loved my running machine & know when we (eventually) move, I will be creating space for another one.

Plus variety is a big bonus. You are more likely to stick to an exercise agenda if you have options. Now that my joints are getting old & creaky, some mornings I opt to just do a brisk walk instead. It still gets me out, but there's no pressure & I can exercise however I choose.

Well done, lovely lady!

Thank you @Alex T for your encouragement and enthusiasm! And LOL if you are old and creaky OMG what am I? : but I will take it over the alternative any day. And hugs to you my sweet and wonderful friend. XOXO.