I know what you mean jacquiema. I run in the local woods and on my own, I sometimes feel I`m being irresponsible but then I feel why should I be `chased` away from something I enjoy by some pervert that may be hiding in the trees. I run a regular route but at irregular times and always take a rape alarm with me and a phone. That way god forbid anything happens I can at least try to scare them off and in case of accident I can phone for help. I guess as the days get darker I will have to start road running but I will still be taking precautions against these sort of people. I think you have to way up the situation and go with it, whatever you dicide you have to feel comfortable with it as it will effect your running and maybe your life. Take care out there.

Not sure i can offer any guidance, but im beginning to worry about where im going to run when the nights start getting dark.

At the moment im not travelling very far distance wise while i build up my stamina. I run laps around the small park near my house as soon as i get back from work so there tends to be lots of dog walkers and kids in the play area, so i feel pretty safe. my worry is when the nights start getting dark and the kids arent playing out im not sure ill feel safe on my own.

The other half is considering joining me on my fitness kick so that could solve my problem or i might start running at lunch time (we have shower facilities in the office). I havent quite decided yet.

Could you find a running buddy or join a club?

ali

thanks rb and allmc, i think im going to get an alarm and just get on with it, i have tried running the roads but its just not the same is it, i love the mud ,the tree roots and the hills... a perv will just have to take his place in the long list of running hazards wont he. by the way rb i got a verry nice nike running jacket for my birthday, its a nike clima-fit. light weight wind and rain proof, and the sleeves come off! safe running girls x

Hi Jacquiema!
SNAP! I`ve got the very same jacket - havn`t tried taking the arms off yet but it`s great for running in!

I tend to run on the roads when I`m by myself (feels safer) but I run with a running buddy around the local water park (I wouldn`t feel happy there on my own but feel great running with someone else.) She`s also a better runner than me, so it spurs me on to run a bit quicker. Have you anyone you could run with?:)

sadly bramther i dont have a running buddy, im one of thoes lucky ones that can run any time i like(ish) so tend to go mid am or earley pm, so i dont get to meet real runners. iv seen them dash past but by the time i get my breth to join them they are long gone. im happy on my owne, its sad that its just not safe isnt it. dont you just love that jacket, i took the arms off today so that i wouldnt get too hot, and it hid my boobs! bless it. i ran 5.5 miles today and that was after the grandchildren, how goes it with you?

Hi Jacquima!
Not quite as well as it`s going with you, by the sound of things! You`re WAY ahead of me!;) Went to the gym yesterday and was doing 1K sprints on the treadmill, plus quite a lot of upper body stuff (which has left me feeling a touch on the achy side today.) Going for a run at the ungodly hour of 8.30am tomorrow morning with my running buddy and both of our dogs (my dog`s only little but LOVES coming for a run with me - it can be a touch worrying though when, at the end of the run, the dogs are looking bright-eyed and bushy tailed and we`re looking hot, pink and in need of a lie down!!;))

I run on the roads up to 11pm.
I just don`t go to (semi)dark places.
I think it is a life changing experience to be assaulted.
Hopefully this will not happen to any of us!

Hi everyone i was running the other day and thinking how dark it was already at 8.15 i usualy run at the back off my house past quiet surbarban streets and the park and i thought no more running in the parks anymore soon but im not stopping running past the houses or the main roads i think as long as the lights good i think it should be fine most off the time your mind makes you feel scared but i do worry that with my ipod on i wont hear anyone behind me and i cant run without sound imagine just listening to your own heavy breathing for an hour,anyway hears to making it through a long winter be safe everyone xx

Many thaks for the tip on the jacket J will look for one locally as I think it`s time to seriously think about winter time. Take care.

god what are we like, middle (well end of august) and here we are all geting ready for winter, ibet the sun comes out again in sept . and we have a heat wave! yes please. still it wont stop dark mornings and evenings,so we will just have to cope with thoes, but do we think perves come out in the cold and wet? maby not eh. im turning my i pod down a bit now just incase. x

It`s safer to run without an ipod so that you`re aware of what`s going on around you. People say they find boredom a problem, but I don`t as once I`ve got the first few minutes out of the way, I let my mind drift to pleasanter things than running.

Ladies....When I run I look like an asexual blob that raided the oxfam shop for clothes.The wooly hat is the icing on cake.

Keep on running ,wear something bright,keep to well lit roads, against the traffic ,keep ipod as discreet as poss.

Hello Lou lou !!!!!! xxxx

do you know what sagey, sadly, i dont think i need oxfam or a hat to make me look like an asexual blob!!!!!x

Rubbish...YOU ARE FABULOUS!!!!!!!!...We are running godesses...!!!