Is there a good way to keep men from approaching you a run??

Probably just sternly say “Not now” and move on. That will indicate you are serious about maintaining internal focus. Interesting though that some people are totally opposed to any conversation, while others appreciate a little talk mid race. It can be much more awkward if you are at the same pace as someone else on the trail for a while and no one says a word. Creepy.

Also remember that someone engaging in a conversation is not necessarily hitting on you or interested in anything more than a minor friendly chat with a fellow runner while legs and lungs are burning. Pretty soon one of you will probably not be able to match pace with the other.

If you actually feel threatened, that’s one thing. If someone’s approach is frightening to you, maybe that’s warranted or maybe it’s just fear. Sometimes I feel more fear on the trail, especially at night, mostly of snakes and mountain lions...someone with a gun.

Some people are just annoying, and that can’t be helped. If only you could use pepper spray mid-flight on your chatty airline neighbor!

Interestingly women from about 38-50 are the most likely to initiate any sort of conversation when you cross paths on the trail.

Don't flatter yourself...

Fart

Sole woman here wrote:

I'm open to suggestions. Even when I make very visible the pepper spray can I take on every run, still there's always a stupid incel that wants to strike up a conversation. Should I just spray them without warning?

.

Wear one of those police shirts that sez Stand Back

Spray them with what? I just watched the movie Prefontaine and he met his girlfriend by commenting on her stride. Not sure if it's true or not.

Wear something political. Major turnoff for most men and women. Wear one of those disgusting pink "anatomy" hats?

Women, while running, are an elevated group of proteins. Don't bother them. Allah Akbar said so.

Sole woman, at Cornell University they have an incredible piece of scientific equipment known as the tunneling electron microscope. Now, this microscope is so powerful that by firing electrons you can actually see images of the atom, the infinitesimally minute building blocks of our universe. Sole woman, if I were using that microscope right now, I still wouldn't be able to locate my interest in your problem.

In my experience, I have seen... *punches numbers into calculator*... 0 women get chatted up while working out

"Liquid ass" for $5 on Amazon. Unbearable.

For what it's worth, there's good and there's bad.

I run at night commonly, and have changed my route many times so that i can double back and make sure a solitary women, whether running or walking, gets safely past some isolated stretches of road and past a rather ominous park.

I've never approached one of them in that i have no reason to.

I'm sure you're aware of it, but sometimes good things happen, too.

seattle prattle wrote:

For what it's worth, there's good and there's bad.

I run at night commonly, and have changed my route many times so that i can double back and make sure a solitary women, whether running or walking, gets safely past some isolated stretches of road and past a rather ominous park.

I've never approached one of them in that i have no reason to.

I'm sure you're aware of it, but sometimes good things happen, too.

That's nice. I'm a woman and usually feel secure with anyone in running clothes just running by, or anyone with a dog. I watch out for other women too. But I get scared with lone men in street clothing on a trail, esp when they're drinking something out of a brown paper bag.

thank you for understanding the spirit in which the observation was made.

As a guy in an urban area who crosses a ton of women runners, i can tell you what sends a message to me. When the other runner absolutely does not make eye contact and looks straight ahead, that sends a message. And the message is even a little cold, but i figure that's the woman's way of telegraphing that they DO NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED. Alternatively, the eye contact and smile is interpreted exactly the opposite way.

Either way, I am the last person on this planet that seeks conversation or anything of the sort - i am just saying how it's interpreted by this guy, anyway.

And in that vein, running with earbuds is just a built in excuse to ignore everything, half of which you may never know ever happened. Not only does it send a message that you are in your own world, you can also pretend that you have no idea that that other person was trying to interact.

Happy runs to you, and i hope that they never become something you have to think twice about embarking upon.

If your junk hangs out the bottom that may scare them off haha. Yeah, I gots nothing better.

If an obese or unattractive woman approached you during your run and tried to talk to you, how would you feel? If Andre the Giant attempted to stop you during your run, how would you feel?

This is how women feel when you thirsty dudes approach them while they are running.

We live in a different age. You can't randomly approach people in public anymore. Tough luck. Get involved in non-running social activities outside of the house if you want to meet members of the opposite (or even same) sex.

Dont dress like a slut, ie: underboob and nips showing from your sports bra, camel toe from your too tight shorts.

Reply with I'm only into men who like to be pegged.

Ask-hole wrote:

Not every man you see on the trail is an incel.....I usually wish every person I meet on the trail a good morning (5am) and is usually returned in kind.

You know, not everyone wants to be spoken to ... just give a barely noticeable wave and/or a nod. And keep moving. No coaching tips or 'looking good' or 'nice pace'. Just STFU and run your workout.