Running alone......

[Orangesauce1]

I know this is stupid but I really hate being a young female! I really enjoy running outside but often find that guys lear and cheer and I hate it!! I have just moved to an area which is opposite a park that is perfect for running in but am terrified that I might get attacked!! (is this a reasonable fear!!) There are parts of the park that are isolated and just feel like a target... am I alone with my unrationality or are there other fellow females that feel the same.... Fella's your opinion is also appreciated.
Is this all the hype from TV and news scare mongering the public into feeling unsafe in there own neighbour hood!!

[loobie]

Hey hun, I completely agree with you. I am now a regular runner and go alone. I always spot guys leering at me, went past some dirty old man leering at me the other day and even had some guy come up to me the other day who was a bit of a weirdo!! He started asking me for advice about the girl he loved then decided to change the way he was going and come my way instead!! i've never run so fast in my life!!! It's not just you hunni. I was convinced this man was gonna attack me in some way!!

[whiffey]

You don't say where you are, but regrettably you are right to be cautious in this day and age.

I get all my exercise from cycling where I can at least outrun trouble and weirdos. On foot, alone, you are simply too vulnerable. No friend at all to run with you ?

[whiskeysheri]

Same reason I don't run anywhere but the forest in my village, Orange. Obviously it's not the safest place to be, but at least I can get on with it and usually only go when there's a few people about. Always take my personal alarm with me, not that anyone would hear it, just makes me feel better. :o)

[whiskeysheri]

I forgot to say, I always vary the day and time I go too. :o)

[Orangesauce1]

Whiffey I live in Kent (Medway)... no unfortunately I am new to the area and know nobody :-(

I also have a few miles of fields behind my house... but also thought that was unsafe! I don't know what to do... I really enjoy it.. it makes me soooo cross!!

Loobie/ Whiskey its comforting to know that you still run alone just wish I had options.

[flipflop104]

Culd you get a dog or borrow a neighbour's dog??

[Gevs1966]

Join a running club

[loobie]

I live in quite a busy are (traffic wise) so I always run where the most traffic is. It makes me feel a bit safer!! I can't let the weirdos put me off cos i'm training for a 10k run!!!

[campbellking]

I often run alone, but had a very odd encounter with a chap on a bike on Sunday, who insisted on cycling next to me for about five minutes, while he put the world to rights. Nothing threatening about him, but it was very strange. Monday, I was running a 12 mile route which partly involved going down a public footpath along a golf course, and elderly gentlemen firing golf balls at me without warning. As a female runner training for the New York marathon in November I do have to get the miles in, but I will admit you can feel a little vulnerable at times (especially as I'm no Paula Radcliffe).
Good luck with your 10k, don't let other people put you off!