iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour, Ontario

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette, Carp, ON

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker, Etobicoke, ON

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams, Ontario

iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie, Yukon

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx, Ontario

iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott, Qu�bec

iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw, New Westminister, BC

iRun for health, iRun for life – Pat Cheung, British Columbia

iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier, Gatineau, QC

iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas, New York

iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas, Ontario

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton, British Columbia

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua, Caledon, ON

iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley, Stittsville, ON

iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre, Ottawa, ON

iRun because it�s fun when it�s done – Sue Matte, Ontario

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel, Calgary, AB

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis, Ontario

iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing, Saskatchewan

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava, Calgary, AB

iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde, Alberta

iRun for me – Kiza Francis, Ottawa,ON

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew, Ontario

iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp, Ontario

iRun to my happy place and some days it�s very – Doreen May, Alberta

iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop, Yukon

iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza, British Columbia

iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston, Alberta

iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston, Nunavut

iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail, Ontario

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier, New Brunswick

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk, Calgary, AB

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer, Quebec

iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch, Ottawa, ON

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard, Ontario

iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey, New Brunswick

iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan, Brampton, ON

iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris, Winnipeg, MB

iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall, Alberta

iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird, Ontario

iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase, Nova Scotia

iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua, Ontario

iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham, Avonmore, ON

iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent, Qu�bec

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard, Alberta

iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes, Ontario

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter, Alberta

iRun so I don�t say never ever again – Linda Klaric, Manitoba

iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher, Alberta

iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins, Alberta

iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith, Manitoba

iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello, Ontario

iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur, Quebec

iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang, Alberta

iRun because it�s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney, British Columbia

iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie, Ontario

iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar, Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor, Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil, Lombardy, ON

iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur, British Columbia

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson, British Columbia

iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts, Ontario

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan, Ottawa, ON

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling, Ottawa , ON

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan, Brampton, ON

iRun because it�s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey, Ontario

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe, British Columbia

iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby, Saskatchewan

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka, Alberta

iRun because I can�t dance – Mario Javier, Ontario

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville, Ontario

iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt, Halifax, NS

iRun because I�ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly, Ontario

iRun because otherwise I�m grumpy – Alexandre Charest, Quebec

iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott, Ontario

iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan, Ontario

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell, Nova Scotia

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick, New Brunswick

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie, St-Antoine, NB

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell, Quebec

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn�t – Heidi Abbey-Der, Saskatchewan

iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy, Ontario

iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin, Manitoba

iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean, Ontario

iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra, Ontario

iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen, Manitoba

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter, Clearwater , BC

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu, Ontario

iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon, British Columbia

iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh, Nottingham, UK

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan, Alberta

iRun because it�s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson, Ontario

iRun iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou, British Columbia

iRun because I live – Georges Schneller, Laval, QC

iRun iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle, New Brunswick

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey, British Columbia

iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire, Nova Scotia

iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve, Ottawa, ON

iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk, Vancouver, BC

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury, Newfoundland

iRun because it�s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter, Alberta

iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman, Manitoba

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn�t – Peter Cicalo, Ontario

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie, Ontario

Warning: include(includes/right-side-banners.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /magma/users/u94/irunnat/public_html/includes/home-sub-content.php on line 1

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'includes/right-side-banners.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/share/pear') in /magma/users/u94/irunnat/public_html/includes/home-sub-content.php on line 1

Cover photo from the current issue of iRun Magazine

Photo of Mark Sutcliffe's new book - Why I Run

Back to Table of Contents

Get Smart: Safe Running for Women

By Lora Shinn

Runners have many hazards to avoid, like wayward drivers, loose dogs and ankle-breaking cracks. But women face a few more hazards than the average runner - like creepy guys in long coats and slowly-cruising cars.

Sheri Allain, a young mom from Toronto, knows all about those creepy guys, or at least one of them. As she ran solo at dusk in midtown Toronto, she saw a man standing in a trench coat - his personal parts waving in the wind. "It wasn't particularly scarring or scary, just gross," she recalls. "Luckily it was dusk, so I didn't have to see his glory in full light."

Today, Allain runs alone only in the early morning. "My theory is that crazies come out at night," she says. Although runners frequently wave at one another when passing, she feels she's become wary of strangers' gestures. "Every young man is an unknown threat," she says. "It's sad but true."

Flashers don't just limit themselves to twilight or urban landscapes, however, as Lori Baird can attest to. An avid runner from Montreal who leads female running groups, Baird was flashed, twice, on quiet Sunday mornings in a Montreal suburb.

While the experiences didn't stop Baird from hitting the dirt in Mout Royal Park or on Montreal's back-country roads, it did make her more aware and take precautions for future runs. "I think running by oneself is just like any other safety issue as a woman - be smart, be aware, and have an exit plan or strategy."

Here are a few safety running tips from fellow runners.

SMART AND SAFE RUNS

KNOW YOUR PATH.Check maps and seek fellow runners' advice for finding well-traveled paths. Do your research: Is the trail frequented by other users, such as runners, families on bikes or urban hikers? Are phones located anywhere along the route? Drive along new-to-you courses and assess any safety concerns, before hitting the dirt. Avoid deserted streets, garbage or weed-strewn trails, parked cars and shrubbery.

TIME IT OUT.Skip the late-night runs; go for indoor tracks or the gym instead. Alter routes or time of day to throw off possible stalkers.

BE AWARE."Trust your instincts," says Baird. If you size up an individual, group or situation and don't like what you see, cross the street, track back or run in a different direction. Baird is cautious about people asking for directions, because that's how her flasher approached her. "Don't get too close to the car, and be ready to run off," she suggests.

Lisa May Huby of Barrie, ON, agrees. If something or someone makes her feel uncomfortable, she moves to a highly-visible spot. "The more public the place, the less chance there is of someone being brave enough to try anything," she says.

USE HEADPHONES JUDICIOUSLY.With music pounding in your ears, you won't be able to hear a car or attacker approach. Take out the ear buds if you're on paths in remote areas, whether urban or city. Huby runs with music, but takes extra precautions. "I make sure I'm aware of what's going on around me - who's approaching, who's following and undue attention from anyone." If you must wear headphones, try wearing only one - leaving your other ear free for your environment.

BUDDY UP.Run with a pal or pup, both for company and to deter people looking for easy targets. "Nobody bugged me when I had my big black lab," says Baird. If Baird isn't sprinting with a friend, she implements a clever idea, called "tagging" another runner - staying close enough to prevent being completely alone.

STAY CONNECTED.Unlike some, Huby acknowledges fellow runners, because she feels it helps establish a safety support system. "You never know when you may need assistance during your run, and it's good to build camaraderie with other runners, even if it's just in passing," she says. Before heading out, call or text-message a friend with your running route.

BE ASSERTIVE."My feeling is that people who seem fearful or unsure of themselves are more easily intimidated than those that have confidence and carry themselves well," says Huby.

"Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving," agrees Lori O'Connell, a runner and third-degree black belt in Can-Ryu Jiu-jitsu who has taught self-defense in Vancouver, BC, for almost 15 years. Ignore verbal harassment, O'Connell adds, and don't give your harasser the luxury of your time. Instead, hold your head high and project poise.

GET OUT YOUR GEAR.Bring a whistle, wear reflective clothing and stay visible. Bring your I.D., a cell phone or change for an emergency phone call. "A whistle can be useful for alerting people when a woman is in need of help," says O'Connell. "Whistles are much better than the expensive personal alarms. Personal alarms are often confused with car alarms, which we all know go off by accident most of the time."

SIGN UP FOR SELF_DEFENSE.Learn how to protect yourself in a one-day defense workshop offered through a community centre or a longer martial arts class. The skills you pick up can be used wherever you are, whether that's on the trail or in parking garages.

CALL THE POLICE.If you notice anyone acting suspicious or are assaulted, inform authorities immediately. "Be prepared to provide the best description of the suspect as you can," O'Connell says. This will help the police to prevent a flasher or attacker from hurting other women.

STOPPING AGRESSORS

Running, shouting and striking frequently results in interrupted attacks, according to the Queen's Bench Foundations Project. If a woman is assaulted and needs to defend herself, O'Connell offers the following advice:

MAKE NOISE

Yell "FIRE!" right away. It's unconventional and will attract attention immediately.
Make as much noise as possible using your surroundings. Shout and bang.
No attacker wants to be detected. Noise can be the key to your escape.
Use the words NO or STOP loudly and repeatedly.

GET AWAY

Know and use available escape routes in and around your route.
Run, if possible, particularly toward houses with lit windows, other people or escape routes.
Put barriers between you and your attacker.

ATTACK THE ATTACKER

Don't freeze: Instead, breathe, flare your nostrils and maintain eye contact. Turn your fear into anger. Fight as though someone were assaulting a loved one, such as a child, mother or sister.
Position yourself. Turn and face the attacker so they can't attack you from behind.
Take a defensive stance with your weight balanced over both feet and your hands up to protect yourself. Protect your head.
Strike back at your attacker, shouting "NO" or "STOP" with each strike.