Is it safe to run alone?

I'd be more concerned about that garbage you're drinking.

What do you mean by "On the bigger side" you're a runner by definition weak .I usually get out of from bed at 3am after a abusive nightmare, and head out the door for a run on pure unadulterated hate, when my vision ceases to being red I usually head back home.

Props on the level of motivation for your age. Running alone is perfectly safe and we'd all do it anyway even if it wasn't.

But god damn, son, at least switch to coffee.

Louisville wrote:

I'd be more concerned about that garbage you're drinking.

Although it doesn't make much of a difference I drink the zero calorie one. It's probably my only daily indulgence. Everything else is just oatmeal, bran, vegetables, that kinda stuff.

The Original P.i.m.p. Baller wrote:

Props on the level of motivation for your age. Running alone is perfectly safe and we'd all do it anyway even if it wasn't.

But god damn, son, at least switch to coffee.

Haha. Yeah, sadly I have to work almost twice as much as my same-age counterparts. Believe it or not, one kid dropped a 4:30 off of 20 miles a week. Insane. I can get similar results but only because I have to put in the work. Does coffee really work for you? I've tried a lot of things like just drinking water, maybe a banana, but nothing really gets me going like the caffeine. Maybe I'll try coffee.

ok yeah i get this wrote:

What do you mean by "On the bigger side" you're a runner by definition weak .I usually get out of from bed at 3am after a abusive nightmare, and head out the door for a run on pure unadulterated hate, when my vision ceases to being red I usually head back home.

Props to you for the funny post. I meant "on the bigger side" as I'm tall. A lot of times people will shout at you stuff like "run forest run" or that shtick, but if you run beside them, look them in the eye, and keep going you'll likely not have any problems. Or you'll get stabbed but that hasn't happened yet.

I am supremely impressed that you run at 5 AM in the morning - if that is the truth.

So, you started off with Monster too huh? I remember I went to my university's gym and could only run for 2 minutes straight without taking a break. Then I bought one of those Green full-calorie Monsters and then I ran 21 minutes straight. It was that day that I swore that energy drinks help me.

Now I drink Rock Star because it's cheaper but... It is cool to fantasize about getting sponsored by Monster. Then you can always say you're a Beast or something because your sponsored by Monster.

It's not safe to run alone during the night. You need lights and reflective gear.

Also it's not safe to run on crowded streets.

Always stop and run slow if little children are nearby.

Name in Hiding wrote:

I am supremely impressed that you run at 5 AM in the morning - if that is the truth.

So, you started off with Monster too huh? I remember I went to my university's gym and could only run for 2 minutes straight without taking a break. Then I bought one of those Green full-calorie Monsters and then I ran 21 minutes straight. It was that day that I swore that energy drinks help me.

Now I drink Rock Star because it's cheaper but... It is cool to fantasize about getting sponsored by Monster. Then you can always say you're a Beast or something because your sponsored by Monster.

It's not safe to run alone during the night. You need lights and reflective gear.

Also it's not safe to run on crowded streets.

Always stop and run slow if little children are nearby.

Makes sense, I usually avoid running at night but because of where I live it can pour until 8 PM so sometimes if I want to get another run in I'm forced to at night. I don't own any reflective gear, but any run that isn't very, very early it is run around my neighborhood where it's a lot more safe. About the monster thing, I agree. It would be awesome to be sponsored, and it is in fact a dream of mine.

I hope you just didn't get inspired from what I just wrote because I want to get sponsored by Monster for running...

Hopefully our T&F events don't coincide...

Name in Hiding wrote:

I hope you just didn't get inspired from what I just wrote because I want to get sponsored by Monster for running...

Hopefully our T&F events don't coincide...

Dude I thought you were joking. Monster only sponsors bikers and surfers.

So I'll try to give a serious answer to your question. I'm a 59-year-old woman, on the small side, and I've been running outdoors, in a number of different cities, alone, early in the morning (around 5 am) pretty much all my life. I have a couple of times been briefly "followed" by shady looking characters but have never had a real problem (I do not consider lewd comments to be a problem). In my experience, most of the bad guys are in bed sleeping it off my 5 am.

Use some sense, even if you're a guy on the bigger side. Try to stay out of the worst parts of town. But your main danger is from traffic, not abductors or muggers. Wear reflective clothing, run facing traffic, and be aware of your surroundings. Beyond that, don't stress out. The world is not nearly as dangerous a place as the media would like us to believe it is.

:(

Monster also sponsors MMA fighters but I really like energy drinks.

Thank you for this.

Name in Hiding wrote:

:(

Monster also sponsors MMA fighters but I really like energy drinks.

You have to be trolling. No MMA fighters are sponsored by monster. Only the actual association is. Sorry man, I'm disappointed too. You can check on their website who is sponsored and they only have BMX bikers, skaters, surfers, that kind of thing.

If you are worried about it, grab some pepper spray with a key ring attached. You can put your pinkie through the key ring and let the pepper spray rest in your hand so you don't have to actually "hold" it.

Or, grab one of these:

https://northamericanarms.com/product-category/firearms/pug-mini-master-black-widow/black-widow-pug-mini-master-black-widow/

thejeff wrote:

If you are worried about it, grab some pepper spray with a key ring attached. You can put your pinkie through the key ring and let the pepper spray rest in your hand so you don't have to actually "hold" it.

Or, grab one of these:

https://northamericanarms.com/product-category/firearms/pug-mini-master-black-widow/black-widow-pug-mini-master-black-widow/

People actually use pepper spray? Also, I myself do not own firearms but my parents do under their license. As I am not legally allowed to express my rights to carry a concealed weapon, that is out of the question.

I always run alone. It's dangerous running with others on the mill

TM master wrote:

I always run alone. It's dangerous running with others on the mill

Unless you have the revolutionary Spreadmill! It can have up to 5 runners on the mill at once!!

There are lots of "standard" advice that will decrease you're likelihood of having any problems while running alone.

As stated before, your biggest concern is traffic. Make sure you can see traffic, and traffic can see you--especially when crossing streets or running in a roadway versus sidewalk or a parking lot.

Try to run in areas where you won't conflict with traffic.

Don't wear headphones--ever.

If you are running at dark, mornings are better than nighttime for sleepy or impaired drivers. Also, reflective clothing and a headlamp help.

Carry a cell phone with you. Also tell your parents the route you plan to take and when you will return.

Try to run where other people often run at the same time (e.g., a park).

If you are concerned about other people or animals, carrying pepper spray is a good idea.