Street Creepers and other Obstacles...

With day one of the semester behind me, I've found a few early morning minutes to get in a blog entry for this week.  As things become routine, I'm sure I'll find a more scheduled time to write!  Today, my morning run was cancelled by my aching feet.  Though heels might have seemed like a great idea on the first day of class, the after effects have shown otherwise.  Once again comfort will win out over fashion in the long run.

At any rate, today's post is something that I've been thinking about for the past week or so, and kept meaning to write up: My thoughts on running safety.  

You've read my rants about wearing the right gear and probably even wearing a Road ID bracelet, but there is more to running safety than just being properly outfitted for your run.  There are also "obstacles" to look out for, such as "street creepers."

What do I mean by street creepers?  Well, a while back...maybe a couple of months now...I noticed a large car slow to a stop in front of me while I was out running around the country roads.  The car then waited--for what I don't know--but the "suspicious me" was able to take a quick side jaunt around the lake drive to my left and duck into a wooded driveway for a moment until the car took off again.  It seemed a bit strange at the time, but I passed it off as my own paranoia and never saw the vehicle again.

However, the topic came to mind again recently when I ran into a running buddy who lives just down the road.  We often run the same route, though in opposite directions, and pass each other on our morning runs.  He told me he had a weird run-in with a van a couple times over the past few weeks, and thought he better pass the details along to me.  Basically, Rich saw a van do the same thing my car had done--in about the same location--as he was out running, but as he got closer, the vehicle took off.  The first time, he shrugged it off, but the second time it occurred to him, that from a distance, running, maybe he looked like me.  

Now, this is pretty darn creepy.  Yes, it could just be happenstance and confused people out driving and getting lost in the country--this does happen frequently as well...but what if there is something more to it?  What can I do?

This prompted me to think of "run safety" beyond just gear.  When I went to Louisville I took pepper spray with me for my morning runs.  I never had to use it, but it brought me peace of mind in an unknown city.  I hate to think that out here in the country I need to do the same, but I probably should have some sort of protection, just in case.  Until Glock makes a viable running holster, pepper spray it is--or I could start carrying a hammer like the one woman I always see out walking--both a nifty weight and protection.

Crime shows and 24/7 news coverage has led America to believe that the world we live in is much more dangerous than it used to be decades ago.  Studies have shown, it's actually far safer.  Television and society have played a mental trick on us, however, and we generally want to believe the worst.  This is not to say there aren't plenty of weirdos out there, however, so be cautious.

Upon reflection, I recommend a few things on this front.  Foremost, if you run

alone, carry protection.  Pepper spray is probably your best bet, and you can get a little can like the one I have, which straps onto your hand, so you barely think about carrying it, for around ten bucks.   That's pretty cheap for something that might save your life in the ultimate unthinkable scenario. 

Secondarily, carry a cell phone with you.  Now, I haven't done this in the past.  I have an iPhone and for all its technological wizardry, it's big.  Summer running gear doesn't generally have the greatest of pockets for that sort of thing and I can barely manage with my iPod strapped onto my arm, let alone the giant smart phone.  I always run near houses and generally figured I knew enough people along my route that if I ever ran into a problem (I was always thinking, injury), I could go to one of their houses for help.  Running into a creeper, however, is a different scenario where having a phone might be more immediately useful.  What to do?  

One could invest in one of those running belts with the gear pocket to store things like a cell phone, car keys, money, etc., but I'm beginning to think about all this stuff I'm strapping onto myself as over-complicating the pleasure of running.  Instead, I'm thinking about getting a TracPhone--the cheapo, tiny, flip model.  Perhaps they're not just for terrorists, murderers, and adulterers after all?  With the prepaid TracPhone, I can just get minimal minutes for that emergency call if I ever need it and the phone will "fit" on me somewhere, unlike the iPhone.

Finally, prevention is the best protection.   Best to avoid any situation where you'll need that pepper spray and phone if at all possible.  I'm certainly not saying to toss the running shoes in the closet, lock your doors, and flip on the police scanner--but to be aware of your surroundings while running.  

Turn down your music so you can hear cars and other things around you.  I'm all for sound quality, but that should not be confused with LOUD (Are you listening to me People driving around in Toyota Corollas with the bass turned all the way up?)  You should always be able to hear rear approaching cars and get out of the way.  Even if you presume that they'll see you in your neon yellow running onesie and orange Nikes--people are stupid.  Trust no one and look out for yourself. 

Likewise, take note of where you are running.  Is it a safe route?  Are there people/houses around?  While I could imagine running in the middle of nowhere to be a great mental relaxation, it also means that if that one car creeper rolls up, you've got nowhere to go.  Plan an "escape" per se.  Additionally, don't always run the same exact route at the same exact time.  Mix it up.  This will not only benefit your own sanity, but also disallow anyone that *might* be keeping an eye on you to plan something around your routine.  I always run in the same general area--around my house--but rarely at the same exact time each day and often different distances each day.

Also, don't ever assume it'll never happen to you.  Just because you're ____ age or ____ sex and believe you're not what creepers are into, I can tell you from seeing nearly every episode of 48 Hours Hard Evidence that there is a creeper for everyone...people with all different "types" they are interested in.  Scary, right?  Yes, it is a bit scary to think about--but thinking about it ahead of time will save you from that nightmare scenario and save your friends and family from fighting over your diamond earrings.  The world is a scary place...but it's also a fantastic place with lots to see and enjoy.  Plan ahead and avoid the undesirable part of reality--or at least give those street creepers a run for their money and make sure your episode of 48 Hours Hard Evidence is the extended two hour-long version.