It is a shame that fitness and health cannot be the primary reason a woman runs. It must be her safety first. When I say safety, I am not talking about running in traffic. I am talking about her life.
It is sad in this day and age; women cannot run the streets or trails alone. It is not chauvinism. It is a horrific and grim reality. Unfortunately, Eliza Fletcher was the latest victim of such tragedy. She was only 34 years old, and her early morning 4:20 a.m. run was the last time she was seen.
Fortunately, investigators were able to find surveillance footage that showed a black SUV passing Eliza. As it passed, it waited for her to run by. A man jumped out of the vehicle, ran toward her, and forced her inside the car’s passenger door, abducting Eliza. The vehicle was parked for about four minutes before it drove away.
Eliza was a kindergarten teacher and mother of two. Her body was found lifeless behind a vacant building.
I know it is unfair, and it should not be this way. However, you must do the right thing when you run and protect yourself.
Did You Know?
Did you know that 69% of the women who run do not feel safe?
Did you know that 79% of women who run have been victims of harassment verbally and physically?
Did you know that 31% of women have stopped running due to safety concerns?
Here are some basic and highly effective things you can do to protect yourself when running. And if you like to run alone, then they are necessary!
Self Defense
I have to say self-defense is probably the number one thing a woman can do to protect herself. For example, many self-defense classes teach women how to fight in specific abduction and kidnapping situations. In addition, they provide the information, knowledge, and training on how to get away quickly. Also, how to inflict as much damage as possible.
Another critical technique taught is to prevent being pulled into the car. Furthermore, if you are pulled into the car, there are techniques to use inside the vehicle to your advantage to destroy your attacker. It is a step-by-step process to try to escape first. But if that is inevitable, you must be prepared to go to the next level of attack.
The thing about self-defense is you don’t have to be super strong. You just need to know pressure points and vulnerabilities and how to strike them. Krav Maga is a specialty in these types of situations.
Also, what’s important about self-defense is that even if you can’t beat your attacker, you can delay him. His attack needs to be swift and efficient to abduct you. But if you delay his abduction, if you can hold him off, the likelihood is that he will flee.
Change Your Route
Changing your route is important. You never know who is stalking you when you’re running. So, changing your course can help. You don’t have to change your route drastically, but you can make different turns down different streets or run another way around your neighborhood. So, this way, if somebody is stalking or watching you, they are likely to give up. In addition to changing your routes, change your running times as well. This is important because your attacker has rehearsed his attack for when to grab or assault you.
Run With Different Earphones
We all love to have music when we run. But unfortunately, you do have to be prepared for dangerous situations. So, running with earphones and listening to music is OK. However, try to use earphones that allow you to hear the outside noise around you. Use earphones that do not noise cancel so you can listen to traffic, people, and so forth.
Stay Alert
Stay alert, mindful, and aware of where you are, who is around you, and what’s happening. Just like somebody may be stalking you, you need to have the foresight to see them as well.
Be Seen
Running in the daylight hours is probably the best time for your run. Unfortunately, Eliza was running at 4:20 AM, which was perhaps dark outside in the wee early morning. And since it was a Friday morning, she probably was running before school. So, ladies, avoid the dark areas and dark times to run. Wear bright and reflective clothing. And also, try to run in areas where there are people in case you need to scream or contact help.
Protection
Now you don’t need to carry a gun with you. You can carry a small pepper spray container that will fit in the palm of your hand that is not so inconvenient to carry, and have it ready when you’re running. If you don’t like holding things in your hand, use a utility belt or vest. It is easier and more comfortable. For example, you can have pepper spray, a sound horn, or even a small pocket knife that can do some damage. You want to avoid big weapons like guns and tasers because they could be used against you. So, think of small weapons that can be put into the palm of your hand quickly to do maximal damage.
Don’t Run Alone
It’s not that you don’t need to run alone. It’s just that don’t run alone at vulnerable times. For example, don’t run alone when it’s dark, or light is not visible. Don’t run on trails where there are no people. You can fix this by trying to find a partner to run with during those vulnerable times and places. Or you could find a running club. Running clubs run at all times of the day and in desolate places. Therefore, you are safe running with the multitude. But even so, you can meet someone in the club to be your running partner who runs at the exact times you do.
Scream
All in all, if you don’t have anything available, scream. No one knows who is around. Don’t assume; just scream. Screaming will stun the attacker. And from the more noise you make, he will probably take off. Using the power of your voice can be one of the most effective things.
Grow Your Nails
My friend from a long time ago loved running trails. However, she said sometimes she was a little scared. I asked her if she was attacked and how she would protect herself. She showed me her nails. She learned in self-defense to put her fingernail in the eye or claw deep. She also said she understood the trail where she ran in case she needed to veer off to escape.
The best thing you can do is prepare. By being prepared, you increase your chances of survival and escape dramatically.
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It is a shame that fitness and health cannot be the primary reason a woman runs. It must be her safety first. When I say safety, I am not talking about running in traffic. I am talking about her life.
It is sad in this day and age; women cannot run the streets or trails alone. It is not chauvinism. It is a horrific and grim reality. Unfortunately, Eliza Fletcher was the latest victim of such tragedy. She was only 34 years old, and her early morning 4:20 a.m. run was the last time she was seen.
Fortunately, investigators were able to find surveillance footage that showed a black SUV passing Eliza. As it passed, it waited for her to run by. A man jumped out of the vehicle, ran toward her, and forced her inside the car’s passenger door, abducting Eliza. The vehicle was parked for about four minutes before it drove away.
Eliza was a kindergarten teacher and mother of two. Her body was found lifeless behind a vacant building.
I know it is unfair, and it should not be this way. However, you must do the right thing when you run and protect yourself.
Did You Know?
Did you know that 69% of the women who run do not feel safe?
Did you know that 79% of women who run have been victims of harassment verbally and physically?
Did you know that 31% of women have stopped running due to safety concerns?
Here are some basic and highly effective things you can do to protect yourself when running. And if you like to run alone, then they are necessary!
Self Defense
I have to say self-defense is probably the number one thing a woman can do to protect herself. For example, many self-defense classes teach women how to fight in specific abduction and kidnapping situations. In addition, they provide the information, knowledge, and training on how to get away quickly. Also, how to inflict as much damage as possible.
Another critical technique taught is to prevent being pulled into the car. Furthermore, if you are pulled into the car, there are techniques to use inside the vehicle to your advantage to destroy your attacker. It is a step-by-step process to try to escape first. But if that is inevitable, you must be prepared to go to the next level of attack.
The thing about self-defense is you don’t have to be super strong. You just need to know pressure points and vulnerabilities and how to strike them. Krav Maga is a specialty in these types of situations.
Also, what’s important about self-defense is that even if you can’t beat your attacker, you can delay him. His attack needs to be swift and efficient to abduct you. But if you delay his abduction, if you can hold him off, the likelihood is that he will flee.
Change Your Route
Changing your route is important. You never know who is stalking you when you’re running. So, changing your course can help. You don’t have to change your route drastically, but you can make different turns down different streets or run another way around your neighborhood. So, this way, if somebody is stalking or watching you, they are likely to give up. In addition to changing your routes, change your running times as well. This is important because your attacker has rehearsed his attack for when to grab or assault you.
Run With Different Earphones
We all love to have music when we run. But unfortunately, you do have to be prepared for dangerous situations. So, running with earphones and listening to music is OK. However, try to use earphones that allow you to hear the outside noise around you. Use earphones that do not noise cancel so you can listen to traffic, people, and so forth.
Stay Alert
Stay alert, mindful, and aware of where you are, who is around you, and what’s happening. Just like somebody may be stalking you, you need to have the foresight to see them as well.
Be Seen
Running in the daylight hours is probably the best time for your run. Unfortunately, Eliza was running at 4:20 AM, which was perhaps dark outside in the wee early morning. And since it was a Friday morning, she probably was running before school. So, ladies, avoid the dark areas and dark times to run. Wear bright and reflective clothing. And also, try to run in areas where there are people in case you need to scream or contact help.
Protection
Now you don’t need to carry a gun with you. You can carry a small pepper spray container that will fit in the palm of your hand that is not so inconvenient to carry, and have it ready when you’re running. If you don’t like holding things in your hand, use a utility belt or vest. It is easier and more comfortable. For example, you can have pepper spray, a sound horn, or even a small pocket knife that can do some damage. You want to avoid big weapons like guns and tasers because they could be used against you. So, think of small weapons that can be put into the palm of your hand quickly to do maximal damage.
Don’t Run Alone
It’s not that you don’t need to run alone. It’s just that don’t run alone at vulnerable times. For example, don’t run alone when it’s dark, or light is not visible. Don’t run on trails where there are no people. You can fix this by trying to find a partner to run with during those vulnerable times and places. Or you could find a running club. Running clubs run at all times of the day and in desolate places. Therefore, you are safe running with the multitude. But even so, you can meet someone in the club to be your running partner who runs at the exact times you do.
Scream
All in all, if you don’t have anything available, scream. No one knows who is around. Don’t assume; just scream. Screaming will stun the attacker. And from the more noise you make, he will probably take off. Using the power of your voice can be one of the most effective things.
Grow Your Nails
My friend from a long time ago loved running trails. However, she said sometimes she was a little scared. I asked her if she was attacked and how she would protect herself. She showed me her nails. She learned in self-defense to put her fingernail in the eye or claw deep. She also said she understood the trail where she ran in case she needed to veer off to escape.
The best thing you can do is prepare. By being prepared, you increase your chances of survival and escape dramatically.