Personal Jogging Safety - Look Out!

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And, if you're a jogger, you might notice that joggers are victims of...

• dog attacks,
• stranger attacks
• drunk drivers or
• distracted drivers such as those who text while driving.

Your life and those of your family can change immediately from one of these moments.

• Know your surroundings.

  It's particularly important for jogging women to be aware of their personal jogging safety since we're most likely to be assaulted.

  If you travel out of town and and still want to jog talk to the people at the front desk of your hotel.

  Find out what they know about the area.

  Also, check out the area with a rental car. Do you see lots of dog walkers, pedestrians or families around?

  Exercise your best judgment. But, if you're unsure, play it safe. Stay in and use the hotel's treadmill.

• Be aware. Regardless of what's on your mp3player, don't be a target. Jogging lends itself to deep thought. It gives you alone time to reflect. Music, while motivating is distracting.

  Your personal jogging safety depends on your awareness. Stay alert and attentive to what's going on around you. Scan your eyes to know what's in front, to the side of you or coming up from behind.

• Face traffic while jogging. You need time to react. Many jogging victims are hit by distracted or drunk drivers.

  Stay as far on the side of the road as you can. Keep you personal jogging safety in mind whenever you share the road.

• Beware of dogs. Joggers and dogs are not always a good mix. One is a moving target and the other chases moving targets. It can be dangerous. Keep pepper spray handy or a dog whistle to quickly use if necessary.

If you run into a dog off leash (and even one on a leash) don't look at it in the eyes. He/she may think you're challenging him/her.

If possible, back track. The dog may lose interest. You're not a threat.

It's wise to keep your voice firm like you would be with a naughty child. Tell the dog "no" or "go home".

Report the dog and owner to the police. You may save not only yourself but someone else from being attacked.

And, while irritating, it may be best to rethink your jogging route. There's no reason to risk life or limb to stay fit.

• Let someone know where you're going. Tell someone where your jogging route. They may need to look for you. And, if you don't return in a reasonable time, you'll have someone out looking for you.

• Carry your cell phone. Slip the cell phone in an arm band, a thin fanny pack or a zippered pocket.

A few years ago while jogging along a bike path I lost my keys.

When I finished jogging and headed to my car, my keys were not in my pocket.

I had jogged five miles and had no idea where my keys landed.

Of course my cell phone was in the car.

I was panicked. How would I get home?

I searched as much as I could without success. I did get lucky though. A woman jogger from the neighborhood saw my distress and offered me a ride home.

Take home lesson:

• use zippered pockets,
• an arm band with a zipper, or a
• fanny pack or shoe wallet with a zipper.

• Wear identification. Get a shoe tag, wrist or ankle band. Put your name, phone number and person to contact in case of emergency on it.

Your safety is important. By knowing what's going on around you you'll have time to react and possibly prevent a personal disaster.


Cartoon copied with permission from www.mchumor.com.

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