I agree that it simply isn’t completely safe everywhere for running, particularly for certain people (e.g. women). And I don’t see that magic wand appearing anytime soon to fix it. So a couple of things I’d like men (or other people who don’t have the same fears or reasons to be wary) should know:
- when you’re going to pass me (esp ther…
I agree that it simply isn’t completely safe everywhere for running, particularly for certain people (e.g. women). And I don’t see that magic wand appearing anytime soon to fix it. So a couple of things I’d like men (or other people who don’t have the same fears or reasons to be wary) should know:
- when you’re going to pass me (esp there aren’t a lot of people around), please call out to me well in advance that you’re coming up to pass me (“on you’re left” works just fine). That way I know you’re there and we can both acknowledge your presence and I can give you room to pass without feeling like someone is chasing me or going to grab me.
- when I don’t want to engage with you, it’s nothing personal, just another way to keep my guard up and protect myself. That doesn’t make me a b**** or rude or some other unkind word. You know you are safe, but I don’t.
- if you notice some other person that is potentially threatening to me, be aware that your best way of helping me may still be at a distance, like just putting yourself in between us, rather than getting up close and “protective”. I can’t always tell if you’re part of the problem or part of the solution.
- and if you’re my friend, partner, etc and I tell you a story of my fear that seems overblown, recognize that not only is not overblown, but I’m probably understating it so as not to freak myself out more. I greatly appreciate just feeling heard.
I wish there was a magic wand that would render the bad guys out there powerless and small ... but, alas ... this is not a cartoon, it’s reality. I have come to love the running community both through this blog and at every race I attend. I look at the runners and walkers and joggers and feel bad that these folks have to take extraordinary precautions in today’s world.
I agree that it simply isn’t completely safe everywhere for running, particularly for certain people (e.g. women). And I don’t see that magic wand appearing anytime soon to fix it. So a couple of things I’d like men (or other people who don’t have the same fears or reasons to be wary) should know:
- when you’re going to pass me (esp there aren’t a lot of people around), please call out to me well in advance that you’re coming up to pass me (“on you’re left” works just fine). That way I know you’re there and we can both acknowledge your presence and I can give you room to pass without feeling like someone is chasing me or going to grab me.
- when I don’t want to engage with you, it’s nothing personal, just another way to keep my guard up and protect myself. That doesn’t make me a b**** or rude or some other unkind word. You know you are safe, but I don’t.
- if you notice some other person that is potentially threatening to me, be aware that your best way of helping me may still be at a distance, like just putting yourself in between us, rather than getting up close and “protective”. I can’t always tell if you’re part of the problem or part of the solution.
- and if you’re my friend, partner, etc and I tell you a story of my fear that seems overblown, recognize that not only is not overblown, but I’m probably understating it so as not to freak myself out more. I greatly appreciate just feeling heard.
I also do this when I bike on the trails... people want to know you're coming up behind them...
I wish there was a magic wand that would render the bad guys out there powerless and small ... but, alas ... this is not a cartoon, it’s reality. I have come to love the running community both through this blog and at every race I attend. I look at the runners and walkers and joggers and feel bad that these folks have to take extraordinary precautions in today’s world.