Safety Tips for Runners - Let's create our own list

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Permalink Reply by zico on June 11, 2008 at 10:08am

1. Try not to run in the dark (especially in winter). If you do, wear clothing with fluorescent strips.
2. Always assume that the drivers of on-coming traffic CANNOT see you.
3. If you are doing a long run, stay off busy roads cause when you are exhausted you tend to be less alert.
4. Always leave for a run after hydrating adequately.

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Permalink Reply by Meghana Sudarshan on June 11, 2008 at 12:21pm

11.If you are listening to music dont have the volume turned high. This way, you can always hear someone approaching behind you.
12. If running at night always wear something that glows. Never wear black.

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Permalink Reply by Yogesh Rao on August 11, 2008 at 11:35am

Hi,

I am sorry to say this, but I think the whole point of discussing safety on Indian roads is moot. I am slowly getting frustrated with running in Bangalore. I cannot run anywhere > 3 KMs without hitting a slum. While I empathize with the poor people in India and feel sorry for their plight, I hate running in or near slums. They are not used to seeing a guy running wearing shorts and a wet t-shirt. Yesterday, an auto-rickshaw kept driving by my side, he would slow down when I slowed down and accelerate when I accelerated. I finally thought WTF and confronted him saying "yen ri, nanna follow madhtha ideera". The idiot then drove away.

The worst part is that there are no foot-paths and the roads are not wide enough to hold even the usual traffic. When there is a foot-path, it is either dilapidated or full of tents where poor people live. Where do I run? There is no place in our wretched country.

If this is the state of a male trying to get some exercise, what would be the fate of a woman going for a run wearing shorts?

I think all of us are headed towards obesity and poor health!

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Permalink Reply by Sabine on August 11, 2008 at 11:54am

Hi Yogesh,

I totally agree with your statement "If this is the state of a male trying to get some exercise, what would be the fate of a woman going for a run wearing shorts?".

That's one of the reasons, why I started RunnerGirlsIndia (RGI). For women, running as a group is at least one way to ensure lesser verbal harassment or worse: physical attacks.

Happy Running!

Sabine
Group Founder
RunnerGirlsIndia - Bangalore
Cell: +91 (0) 99001 72766
http://www.runnergirlsindia.com

RGI is dedicated to empowering women toward a healthy lifestyle, promoting personal fitness, increasing physical activity and emotional health, encouraging a healthy body image, providing means of communication between members, offering a support network for other runner girls and to organizing women-only-running events in a safe, friendly, fun and above all non-competitive environment that allows everyone to succeed.

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Permalink Reply by Yogesh Rao on August 11, 2008 at 2:58pm

You are right, there is strength in numbers. I have just moved back to India and hence do not still have a vehicle to move around. I cannot wait to join one of the running groups in my neighborhood for weekend runs. It is bad enough having to run on a treadmill like a hamster on weekdays.

Good luck and safe running to your group,
Yogesh.

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Permalink Reply by Sneakerologist on August 11, 2008 at 8:30pm

For women runners, I would recommend keeping a small pepper spray handy. And for runners who are annoyed with dogs, I suggest a clip-on ultrasonic beeper (you find them abroad) which generally takes care of all things barking. I usually stop running when I get to use my gadget on a dog, because watching them react to the sound is so funny. They actually 'frown' when they hear that sound, as if they are trying to think hard what the noise is :)
Best,
Sneakerologist
www.solereview.com

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Permalink Reply by Gautam Mahtani on August 12, 2008 at 11:51am

a stun gun is also a pretty good idea.. i think they are available in india..

Sneakerologist said:

For women runners, I would recommend keeping a small pepper spray handy. And for runners who are annoyed with dogs, I suggest a clip-on ultrasonic beeper (you find them abroad) which generally takes care of all things barking. I usually stop running when I get to use my gadget on a dog, because watching them react to the sound is so funny. They actually 'frown' when they hear that sound, as if they are trying to think hard what the noise is :)
Best,
Sneakerologist
www.solereview.com

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Permalink Reply by Samir on August 16, 2008 at 8:55pm

- Look out for dogs. Don't let them chase you, walk if you pass some stray dogs to not attract their attention.
- Wear a hat to protect against the sun

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dsouza on August 27, 2008 at 9:58pm

You seem to have forgotten the stray DOGS ? expecially if you are a road runner like me. Road running is far more enjoyable then running in circles on a Ground / Stadium, at times taking unknown routes is even better, but at times the stray Dogs can be very fearsom, but FEAR NOT - that is if you know the trick...

If dogs start barking & chase you. just stop and show them who is superior, charge towards them, atonce they will backoff, or at times after some experience you will know if the charging dogs mean business or just playing the fool, if this is the case just stand still, dont show any sign of fear, the dogs will just circle arround you, sniff you up & leave one by one, once this is done you can continue running.

Dogs only attack if :

1) they sence danger / fear
2) If a known person is arround
3) They are in a group.

In my 10 years of Running experience, i have been chased by dogs many times but not once i have been bitten. infact i start running within a minute of stopping due to the dogs.

Wishing U happy running >>>

Mike-thane
www.runningguide.blogspot.com

mike61@rediffmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Michael Dsouza on September 21, 2008 at 1:59pm

Dear YOgesh,
Time & again u have mentioned Slums, if you r in india u will have to get used to the slums, here in Thane i have been running on roads in shorts & wet t shirt for nearly 15 years, & believe me people look in wonder what he is up to, if you find some one looking at u just wave out & smile it will simply light up their face.

i have not once come across any difficulty or ambaresment while running.

mike-thane

Yogesh Rao said:

Hi,

I am sorry to say this, but I think the whole point of discussing safety on Indian roads is moot. I am slowly getting frustrated with running in Bangalore. I cannot run anywhere > 3 KMs without hitting a slum. While I empathize with the poor people in India and feel sorry for their plight, I hate running in or near slums. They are not used to seeing a guy running wearing shorts and a wet t-shirt. Yesterday, an auto-rickshaw kept driving by my side, he would slow down when I slowed down and accelerate when I accelerated. I finally thought WTF and confronted him saying "yen ri, nanna follow madhtha ideera". The idiot then drove away.

The worst part is that there are no foot-paths and the roads are not wide enough to hold even the usual traffic. When there is a foot-path, it is either dilapidated or full of tents where poor people live. Where do I run? There is no place in our wretched country.

If this is the state of a male trying to get some exercise, what would be the fate of a woman going for a run wearing shorts?

I think all of us are headed towards obesity and poor health!

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Permalink Reply by Yogesh Rao on September 21, 2008 at 11:40pm

Dear Mike, Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against slums or poor people.

I will definitely try waving and smiling the next time I am stared at.

Thanks,
Yogesh.

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Permalink Reply by Ram on September 23, 2008 at 5:29pm

If runners are going to carry all those things that are mentioned in this thread, while running, then how comfortable can they be?? For me, only a stopwatch would do.

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