Jogging and Safety

A

Ancalagon

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
18,207
Reaction score
3,678
So, last year I bought myself a pair of dumbells, so that I could exercise at home. What I've been doing is going to the gym for a bit of cardio, and then coming home to do weights while watching TV. There is a surprisingly large variety of exercises that you can do with just a pair of dumbells, so I can do enough to work out all or most of the muscle groups. Plus I plan to acquire one or two other things, such as a medicine ball.

Recently I've started thinking that I am still paying all this money for gym, and I only use it cardio. Nothing else. I don't even need the Discovery Vitality points - the points I get from buying healthy food from Pick n Pay and from doing Parkrun every week will be more than enough to get me to gold again this year. Because I was bad with gym attendance most of last year, it is costing me R370 per month. Even if I can get it down to say R200 per month, I just don't see the point.

So I want to start jogging during the week, but I'm concerned about my safety. Those of you that do jogging during the week, are you concerned about safety? What precautions do you take? What time of day do you go?

Obviously I'll wear high vis gear, and will buy a head torch for winter. I live in Bryanston, if that helps. I'm not female, so although it isnt impossible for me to be raped, it isn't likely.

Is morning better than afternoon? Evening?
 
Ancalagon said:
Is morning better than afternoon? Evening?
Click to expand...
The idea of running down the main road in rush-hour traffic with all those emissions hanging thick like syrup in the air freaks me out just a little. If that's the kind of place I was gonna run - probably morning when the night breeze has cleared the air somewhat.

What kind of area are you going to be running in? Are there any parks nearby?

Also: http://www.parkrun.co.za/bryanston/
 
Last edited:
I already do that parkrun, but it runs on weekends only. I want to replace gymming during the week with running during the week.

The only park that I know of is where the parkrun happens, but that is far enough away that I would have to drive there. However, what I can do is run on the suburban streets which are a bit quieter.
 
Surely the safest time to jog differs from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
 
When I see women running alone in the early hours of the morning but mostly 5ish I think they must be quite brave.

I think you have to choose a common route, where you always visible to passing motorists or the public.
 
I am not worried about safety with regards to muggings - other then my running watch, there is nothing to steal.

I run at 5 am in the morning which gives enough time for a 10km. Only in winter do I need a headlamp and wear reflective gear.

Most issues I have are cyclists trying to run me off the emergency lane. Strangely enough I never had an issue with taxis and it seems to be always the SUVs trying to run me over. I find early morning runs the best as the air is still fresh. I run against traffic in most cars on the emergency lane.

Aside from some drivers and cyclists being complete jerks, I have never had any incidents or was worried about safety. I think the risks are higher for female runners though.
 
I have no issue with safety in our area. Lots of people jog, and walk their dogs.


I've even walked home at 3am without even a hint of feeling uneasy.
 
I used to run in a closed off community. That was safe. Without that I'd rather go to my old school and run there than run on the open Street.
 
Get a running partner.
Buy a teargas bottle. You get small ones for runner
Run when other joggers run e.g. early morning / late afternoon
Also, join Run for LIfe / Walk for Life. A group is better than running alone
Don't run in secluded areas
 
Why run when nothing is chasing you?
Prehistoric man would have thought you are silly.
 
This time of year is perfect for beginner runners. You can run in the morning or early evening. It's up to you really. As has been suggested already, watch out for other runners in your neighbourhood and note when they run. Try and go out there at the same time, on the same days. Catch one (if you can) and ask them if they'd like a running partner. Also talk to people at the park run events. Find out who lives near your home and would like to join you for runs. Lastly, you can always join a run club. A year's membership fee for a typical run club in Jhb is about the same as what you're paying for gym every month. Though the dumbells make me think you're more interested in shorter distances like 5k?
 
I tend to stick to the main roads mainly.
The only thing they can really steal is my running watch and hydration belt.
Always run facing oncoming traffic, sometimes I need to hop onto the pavement cause you can see when a car is not going to move over.
I run early mornings, generally more people running that time (Runners are friendlier than cyclists and actually say good morning).
I even run through the JHB CBD sometimes when work allows, that's a whole new set of rules there.
Good luck :)
 
I have been looking out for runners in the morning, and I see a few at around 6AM. Some running along a major road actually.

Am I silly for not wanting to run with anyone else? I just want do it alone. I don't want to join a club or anything. I don't know why.

I am interested in shorter distances such as 5KM. I'll never be a long distance runner - I don't want to. My goals are to improve my fitness and lose weight. Improving my time in Parkrun would also be nice.
 
Ancalagon said:
I have been looking out for runners in the morning, and I see a few at around 6AM. Some running along a major road actually.

Am I silly for not wanting to run with anyone else? I just want do it alone. I don't want to join a club or anything. I don't know why.

I am interested in shorter distances such as 5KM. I'll never be a long distance runner - I don't want to. My goals are to improve my fitness and lose weight. Improving my time in Parkrun would also be nice.
Click to expand...

Cool. I don't think you have much to be worried about. Max 5k running distance is too short for major incidents to happen to you. Simple, quick 2.5k out and back home. You should definitely try and improve your time just to make it worth your while. [*Cough* fartleks *cough*]
Best of luck!
 
Safety how? Cars or muggings?

Either way, I am armed when I go out. I do also wear reflective stuffies to make sure cars can see me.
 
Ancalagon said:
Am I silly for not wanting to run with anyone else? I just want do it alone. I don't want to join a club or anything. I don't know why.

I am interested in shorter distances such as 5KM. I'll never be a long distance runner - I don't want to. My goals are to improve my fitness and lose weight. Improving my time in Parkrun would also be nice.
Click to expand...

I also prefer running alone - it's about the only time you can switch off and focus on yourself. Most running buddies want to chat and I don't (especially when it is 5am in the morning). I tried the whole running partner thing and they struggled to stick with routine (i.e. I run irrespective of weather every day, and they don't). I think once you your slow runs are around 5min/km over 5k's you will automatically want to go longer. I wouldn't want to go more than 10km/day as I don't really have more time than 50min/day and leave my longer runs for the weekend.

If you do Parkruns, you do want to tick of a 10km and at least attempt a half-marathon (which I found super tough, despite having done plenty of 10k's below 50min).

Depending on where you live, running after 6am on main-roads against traffic in the emergency lane becomes a constant struggle with taxis and especially cyclists - nothing worse than having your pace interrupted and you forced off the road because someone decided to jump into the emergency lane....
 
MagicDude4Eva said:
I also prefer running alone - it's about the only time you can switch off and focus on yourself. Most running buddies want to chat and I don't (especially when it is 5am in the morning). I tried the whole running partner thing and they struggled to stick with routine (i.e. I run irrespective of weather every day, and they don't). I think once you your slow runs are around 5min/km over 5k's you will automatically want to go longer. I wouldn't want to go more than 10km/day as I don't really have more time than 50min/day and leave my longer runs for the weekend.

If you do Parkruns, you do want to tick of a 10km and at least attempt a half-marathon (which I found super tough, despite having done plenty of 10k's below 50min).

Depending on where you live, running after 6am on main-roads against traffic in the emergency lane becomes a constant struggle with taxis and especially cyclists - nothing worse than having your pace interrupted and you forced off the road because someone decided to jump into the emergency lane....
Click to expand...

Agree

My wife shared a great wisdom about running. Running is an introvert sport. And that is why so many people love it and other people can understand why. Introverts get energized being by themselves. Running is therefore the perfect sport for them. There is no better feeling when your mind switches off, your feet and breathing are in sync and all you want to do is keep running. It is only you and the road.
 
At OP (and any other hobby-runner wanting to track progress) - I suggest SmashRun for running analytics - it's free and syncs with pretty much anything (join me as a virtual running partner - http://smashrun.com/magicdude4eva/invite -- currently on a 180day streak and wanting to do a full year of hobbling around the neighbourhood).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X