12 Things To Keep In Mind If You’re Running Alone

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If you’re out running alone it’s quite possible that you could have an accident or something untoward could happen, so it’s as well to make plans for your safety beforehand. This applies whether you’re male or female, but I think it’s fair to say there are probably more safety concerns for a female running alone.

The following points are particularly of interest to women or girls, therefore, but it’s probably true to say that anyone can benefit from many of the safety guidelines below.

1. Let someone know where you’re running

If something happens to you, whether it’s an accident or an attack or something entirely different, you could end up lying in a ditch somewhere, of behind a hedge. It might be almost impossible to see you, let alone help you.

I know this might sound over dramatic (and it’s certainly not meant to scare you into not going out running by yourself), but it could happen. If it does, it’s as well that someone knows you’ve gone for a run and exactly where you’ve gone.

2. Carry identification

runner's wrist IDIt’s important that you have personal identification with you in case you get injured. It could be something as simple as an ID tag or bracelet if you don’t want to carry a wallet or any documents.

3. Stick to well-travelled routes

There’s always the temptation to veer off your intended route in the hope of finding something (or somewhere) more interesting, but if you’re a female running alone it’s not a great idea. Stick to well-used roads and routes where other runners are likely to be.

4. Carry a personal safety device

personal protection clawLadies, you need to take your personal safety seriously. Carry or wear something that can help you defend yourself if you’re suddenly in a precarious situation. Whistles, alarms, tiger ‘claws’, you name it, it’s all available and it could, if it came to it, save your life.

5. Don’t wear headphones

Stay ‘tuned in’ to what’s going on around you, rather than some repetitive playlist. It’s far more important to know what’s going on than to listen to music.

6. Be visible

headlamp for runningIt’s not a bad idea to wear something reflective so that traffic can easily see you. There are plenty of items of reflective material these days that can be attached to your running gear.

If you don’t like the idea of reflective gear, you could wear a headlamp so that drivers (and everyone else) can see you coming.

7. Carry cash

Things could always go wrong and you might be glad of a bit of cash to get you home, or to buy something essential (to treat an injury, perhaps). Whatever the case may be, you’ll be safer if you’re holdin’ foldin’! You could keep one or two bills behind your phone in your phone case, if you have one.

8. Run against the flow of the traffic

Don’t run with the traffic coming up behind you. You want to be able to see traffic in case something’s wrong and a car is, for example, out of control. If it’s happening behind you the next thing you’ll be aware of is waking up in the ambulance or the hospital bed (if you’re lucky).

Also, if a car is creeping along and the driver has bad intentions you’ll be far better off if you see it coming than if it creeps up behind you.