In my running experience I've had several very uncomfortable encounters with strangers that I felt posed a threat to my well-being. Lucky for me no danger ever materialized but I don't believe that would've been the case had I not taken precautions when I sensed danger. Other threats to my personal safety came from dogs and motorists. With regards to motorists, some were drunk, some were negligent and others were just too excited to be on the road. Despite close calls, nothing serious ever occurred and I'm thankful to God for that. As they say, God helps those who help themselves and I consider taking precautions helping myself while God does the rest.
Many runners take pride in their appearance and go out equipped with fancy looking clothes and gear. An early morning runner is likely to meet with thieves on their way back from 'work'. I recall numerous incidents that involved me meeting what I felt were unscrupulous characters. Let me tell you about the time I believe instincts saved me from a trip back home naked. This is how it went down: I got up very early one morning fired up for a planned run. I took out my gear and flashy shoes and took off into the darkness just before dawn. It was early days in my running adventures so I didn't equip myself with accessories to enhance visibility like head torches. Basically, I couldn't see further than five meters but I persisted. It didn't take long before my instincts and the fear they triggered improved my vision dramatically. Suddenly silhouettes became more pronounced 50 meters away. Initially, I was too proud to acknowledge the fear I felt on a solo run on a narrow road with what was 5 or 6 adult males headed in my direction until it happened. I saw things unfolding ahead of me. What was initially a closely grouped together clique of individuals abruptly split in two with the other group going across the road. At this point it was clear what they were up to and my big boy pride deserted me. I stopped advancing and swiftly took off in the opposite direction. In the end, I made it back home safely with the help of adrenaline. I don't know what would've happened had I continued to run towards this clique but you know what? I wasn't willing to find out. I wasn't willing to get assaulted and find myself trekking back home naked because my flashy gear had been taken from me Here's my advice to enhance personal security on a run:
Always trust your instincts and take all the necessary precautions before and during every run.
2 Comments
Zamiwe
10/20/2020 10:01:25 am
Super useful! Thanks for sharing these tips.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Nicholas MajulaCategories
All
Archives
August 2023
|
Photos used under Creative Commons from Wilka, OLCR, SqueakyMarmot, ella.o, shixart1985, frank.shepherd, orlandofringe, Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, MattysFlicks, Tobyotter, wuestenigel, Andrew Gustar, Artotem, wuestenigel, aqua.mech, homegets.com, wuestenigel, shixart1985, DVIDSHUB, wuestenigel, focusonmore.com, wuestenigel, quinn.anya, airdrie.m, htomari, denisbin, One Way Stock, shixart1985, The Nutrition Insider, planetlight, volkspider, wuestenigel, Ray in Manila, M McBey, Jodiepedia, Ivan Radic, middlekidd, The National Guard, twm1340, stoneysteiner, wuestenigel, focusonmore.com, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, mobilyazilar, wuestenigel, byzantiumbooks, Geometric Medical Animation, wuestenigel, thedailyenglishshow, TipsTimesAdmin, wuestenigel, f097653195018, LucĂola Correia, MassiveKontent, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, Matt From London, @Yancy, Cold, Indrid, wuestenigel, wuestenigel, Doctor4U_UK, rockindave1, wuestenigel, Alan Cleaver, blue_j, Jenn Durfey, wuestenigel, Rennett Stowe