Safety tips for runners

Sunday, 21. January 2018 02:55 Uhr

This German television show demonstrates how difficult it can be to escape when being attacked while running.
You will see Sifu Thommy and hs team demonstratign helpful tips to stay safe on your daily jogging round.

Aside from not running alone, staying inside the gym to use the treadmill and taking constant self-defense classes, it’s important to continue to find ways to keep yourself safe while running. Unfortunately there are three common denominators when people are attacked on the run: being alone, being female and running in an unpopulated area.

Despite the fact that attacks on runners has significantly increased ovr the course of the last few years, most runners are not going to stop running alone—which is why we want to help them take every precaution possible. When you drive, you take precautions by wearing a seat belt, not being distracted, and, honestly, assuming everyone else on the road is stupid. In other words, you’re aware of my surroundings and drive defensively.

Here are some precautions to take to be safe—not just while running, but also in general.

Always tell someone where you are going.
Stay on well-traveled and well-lit roads. Don’t take shortcuts through woods, poorly lit areas, etc.
If possible, run with a dog, a group or at least one other person.
Ditch the headphones.
Bring your phone.
If someone looks shady to you, cross the street or go the other way.
Vary your routes. Don’t be predictable.
Know where you’re going. Looking confused and lost can make you a target.
Don’t be distracted. Perpetrators specifically look for people who aren’t 100 percent aware of their surroundings.
Consider taking a self-defense class. You never know when you might need these skills.
Reconsider the ponytail, which is an easy thing to grab and pull. Opt for a bun or something harder to grasp onto as you go.
Run confidently, meaning tall and focused, to display confidence.
Trust your gut. If something or someone doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
Bring pepper spray.