3 Ways To Protect Yourself When Running On The Street

8 Tips for Running Alone Safely

If one of your favorite forms of working out is running, it’s very likely that you don’t find a lot of pleasure running on a treadmill. Rather, many people who enjoy running like running out in the open air of the trails or streets much more. However, doing so can open you up to certain risks. So to help you learn how you can mitigate these risks, here are three ways to protect yourself when running on the street. 

Run In Areas Where You Feel Safe

When running around where you work or live, you probably have a very good idea of what areas are going to be safe for you and which areas might be a little questionable. 

With this information in mind, it’s best to plan your routes so that you stick to the areas where you already feel safe and will be comfortable running. If you’re going to try running through a new area that you’ve never been to before, it’s best to do this with a running buddy until you feel like you know the vibe of the area and are comfortable there. And in most cases, even if you’re running in an area you know and love, Nicole Spector, a contributor to NBCNews.com, shares that it’s always best to run in areas where there will be lots of other people and lots of daylight to keep you safe and visible. 

Plan For Self Defense

While this isn’t something that most people want to spend a lot of time thinking about, if you don’t have a plan for your own self defense before you set out on a run, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation that you may have been able to otherwise avoid. 

As part of your self defense plan, Christine Luff, a contributor to VeryWellFit.com, recommends that you wear clothes that are reflective and easily identifiable as well as carrying something like pepper spray or your keys that you could use as a weapon. Or, if you’re wanting extra protection, you can look into getting a concealed carry firearm to keep with you on your runs. 

Keep Yourself Visible

In addition to wearing clothes that are easily seen by people on the street and vehicles driving around you, it can also be beneficial to make yourself more visible so that it won’t be as easy for someone to sneak up on you and catch you by surprise.

One great way to do this, according to Danielle Myles, a contributor to Medium.com, is to run in the middle of an empty road or run so you’re not too close to buildings or bushes that someone could jump out of. This way, if something were to happen to you, it won’t easily be missed by the people around you who could jump in to offer help. 

If you love running on the streets of your city but don’t always feel safe doing so, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you better protect yourself from harm.