Posted on www.shutupandrun.net/

 

 

Sarah, age 31, had started out running with her sister, but turned back alone when she did not feel well.  She was robbed and killed on her way back.

 

Earlier this year, Sherry's story motivated runners to be more careful and to be more aware of their surroundings. Many people stopped running alone altogether, or withdrew inside of the safety of their treadmills. Some took self defense classes in Sherry's name. I know that I started to feel scared of evil lurking in a way that I had not before.

 

I think it's important to say that Sherry did nothing wrong or "unsafe." She was running along the streets of Sidney, Montana, a small town where she had grown up. A town where she knew most everyone. She had run like this countless times before. On this particular morning in January, two men had driven into town from Colorado. They parked on the side of the road and as she jogged by, she greeted them with a simple "Hi!" in her usual cheerful way. That's when she was struck down and choked. Her story is one of those horrific, horrendous, random tragedies.

 

Could her situation have been avoided? What if she had slept in? What if she had gone with a friend? What if she had crossed the street? For me it's too painful to play that "what if" game. We can do that all day long, for our entire lives. The point is that things happen and we can't go back and orchestrate what is done. One of the most important and healing things we can do for ourselves is to accept, learn and move on.

 

The way I see it, there are three common denominators of these two incidents:

 

Running alone
Being a woman
Running in an area or at a time of day when not many people were around.

Makes me mad. No, makes me furious.

 

I'm going to make a confession here. Even after Sherry was killed, I still run alone - only about half of the time, and not in isolated areas or when it is dark. But, still alone. And, I know for a fact that MANY of you do too.

 

I also drive a car even though 110 people are killed daily in car accidents. I go to Target alone even though women have been abducted in such parking lots numerous times.

 

I may be going against the grain here, but I'm not going to stop running alone. I will take every precaution that I can. I do this when I drive by wearing a seat belt, by not being distracted, and by assuming everyone else on the road is stupid. In other words, I'm aware of my surroundings and I drive defensively. I also run defensively.

 

Let's face it, we are never totally safe. We do what we do to minimize risk, then we go on living, unafraid.

 

Here are some other things to do to be safe - not just while running, but in general.

 

Always tell someone where you are going.
Stay on well travelled and well lit roads. Don't take short cuts 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% aware of their surroundings.
Consider taking a self defense class. You never know when you might need these skills.
Reconsider the pony tail. This is an easy thing to grab and pull.
Have an air of confidence. Walk or run tall with your head up.
Trust your gut. If something/someone doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
Bring pepper spray, but keep in mind it can be used against you too.
If attacked, do everything in your power to not be taken to another location.

People say it's not fair that women have to be more careful and are easier and more frequent targets than men. Fair or not fair, it's a fact. Let's deal with it the best we can while continuing to make efforts to take back our streets.

(Editor's Note:  On Tuesday I spent several hours on the Swarthmore trails with hedge trimmers and a machete.  During that time, three women, running individually and alone, past me at various times.  Just saying.  It isn't fair but be aware.)

5K Races (4/19, 5/17, 6/21, 7/19, 8/16, 9/20 - Sep race starts at 6:45) 

Location: Trooper Thorn's Irish Beef House, 451 Morgantown Road, Reading, PA 

Website: www.pretzelcitysports.com

Contact: Ron Horn 

Phone: 610-779-2668 

 

Friday, June 22, 2012 

7:05 PM 

Chichester Business Association 5K 

5K (3.1 mile) course with hills and hills - Benefits SIDS of PA Cribs for Kids 

Location: Upper Chi Rec Center, Chichester, PA 

Website: www.runtheday.com

Contact: Thomas Brazill 

Phone: 610-494-5411 

 

Saturday, June 23, 2012 

10:00 AM 

3rd Annual Bouncing Buns 

Clothing Optional 7K Trail Run 

Location: Sunny Rest Resort, Palmerton, PA 

Website: www.pretzelcitysports.com

Contact: Ron Horn 

Phone: 610-779-2668 

 

Sunday, June 24, 2012 

9:00 AM 

Run For The Ages 10K Trail Race 

Age-Graded 10K Trail Race 

Location: Nolde Forest, Cumru Township, Berks County, PA, just south of Reading PA. The race will start and end near the Nolde Mansion. 

Website: www.pagodapacers.com/races/rfta

Contact: Ted Andrus 

Phone: 610-763-7714

Pattie and Bill