I've recently began running. I've found it is my favorite form of exercise, especially when it is nice weather outside. We have a super nice trail right by my apartment and it is the perfect 2 mile loop.
Ever since I started running this trail my boyfriend has been on me to buy some mace. I always brushed it off and laughed at him. We don't live in a high crime area and it's always daylight when I run.
However, I had an odd experience today. I was running down the street that leads to the trail and an SUV pulled over right where the trail starts. I didn't really think anything of it, ran by, and got on the trail. I ran about a mile (the trail is right in the city) and I noticed two guys walking through a field that was between some banks and the trail that are right off a major road in town. It made me nervous and I began to walk. The guys disappeared and I turned around and ran the opposite direction. I finally heard one of them say "I told ya so!" and I could hear them talking behind me. I continued to run in the opposite direction and decided I would just go home that way instead of making the loop.
When I got back up to the main road they were walking through another field in my direction. They would have had to get back in their car and drive to beat me to that side of the trail. This made me nervous enough to call my boyfriend and have him come pick me up.
I could just be paranoid. I'm generally not the paranoid type, but it really seemed as if these guys were trying to cut me off. This trail is usually a high traffic area, but there was hardly anyone on the trail today due to the heat.

So here is the question. Do any of you carry mace when you go for your runs? How am I supposed to carry mace and my phone. Any tips would be helpful, I don't want to stop running the trails because of this incident.

I usually keep my phone in my sports bra! and mace you can get a clip on for your hips.. also you could take some self defense classes. Great workout. My boyfriend was an instructor for the Marines and he taught me some great moves incase someone tries to hurt me or what.. no matter what FIGHT BACK!

After a string of attacks where i was living (though for many years and the most part i ran alone/and far too often at night. not the best choices) my roommate got me this itty bitty thing of mace and i tied it in my laces.

That had to shake you up, glad your looking to watch out for yourself.

Don't feel paranoid. Trust your instincts. They are the best protection you have.



A little thing of mace gives me some peace of mind. Check local laws and make sure it's legal where you live.

wow, that would freak me out. I'd probably get the mace just in case.

I don't carry any myself, but I only run during daylight hours and it's in a very busy area

My brother in law is a police officer. He is going to check the police supply and see if he can find me a small can and some sort of strap to either go around my waste or ankle. Just to be on the safe side
I'm not going to quite running because of a couple of douche bags. And, before long there will be more people on the trails as the weather is cooling down.
I REALLY want a bike, but that's a whole other subject

Mace is tricky because it can be used against you and it isn't too accessible unless you run with it in your hand (and the wind is blowing in the right direction).

The best defense is to take a sef-defense class and always be aware. It was good that you noticed exactly what they were doing. Also, it is recommended to not run with headphones on so you are most alert, but that's not very realistic. I have paths that I run during the busiest time of day, but avoid when it's dark. I have paths that I can run at night (usually in the street through the neighborhood). When I lived in the city I was pretty limited to well-lit streets, so it wasn't a big problem. The reality is, an attack can happen anytime and anywhere. In fact, I hear of most runner attacks around here in broad daylight. You just gotta be aware and sensible whenever you run.

I agree with everyone else and whenever possible see if your boyfriend can come with you!

I think you also have to be careful that even if you are taking/do take in the future self defense classes, that doesnt mean that you will win a fight if you are ambushed From 9+ years of martial arts training, I say the best fight is the one you avoid lol. So if you want DO take those classes, but also make sure you try to minimise chances of attack- dont run alone, run during the day in busy areas, let someone know where you are running and how long you are going to be, etc etc. Or be a pu*sy like me and run at the gym

I run after dark, only because I'd die in four and half seconds should I try to run during day light here in the depths of ****, I mean, Florida. Fortunately I'm very comfortable in my neighborhood and the streets are well lit.

I'd suggest finding a running buddy if possible. If it isn't, I also fully support arming yourself in whatever way you feel comfortable. Some states allow small pocket knives.. some people may balk at actual weapon ideas, but it is up to the individual. Of course make sure you are fully trained and COMFORTABLE with any method you choose, even the mace.

Lastly, familiarize yourself with the Cooper Color codes, and strive to be aware of your environment. You may well have been paranoid that day, or it may well have saved your life. Awareness can be your best weapon sometimes.

a guy I know carries a taser, I would make fun of him, but the other week a 22 yr old boy was murdered right off campus at the university I go to, just a mugging and the guy stabbed him and kill him for 20 bucks. Guy was caught, it was on security camera, but that doesn't bring the kid back.

While I can't say my city is the nicest city in the world, we don't usually have murders, this would be the first one that happened near/around our campus in the five years I've been there.


One of my friends told me a cop told her wasp spray is a really nice, cheap effective alternative to mace. I went and bought a can, but....my purse is huge and I couldn't find a small can of wasp spray at WalMart LOL! She said you can spray them directly in the eyes from a LONG distance away though!

Have you tried running with a fanny pack or something unfashionable like that?

I use to run three miles after dark here in my own residential neighborhood before I had my third baby, then something freaked me out, nothing in particular, I just got a creeped out feeling even though I'd been doing it for a year or so. Now I walk the dogs 1 mile a night and I haven't gotten the "creeped out" feeling. So I might try running again soon.

I'm a huge believer in ALWAYS listening to your gut feeling and ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. (I personally don't like listening to music because I think it blocks out the surroundings and makes me less alert to things around me)

I never take my iPod when I am running outside. I agree, I like to be aware of my surroundings. Plus I like the sound of nature. I don't think I would have been creeped out by those guys if it wasn't for the SUV pulling over. That just gave me a strange feeling and put me on edge. I just had an instinct to turn around and go the other way.
I've never heard of anyone getting attacked or murdered on our trails, but that doesn't mean it has never happened or could never happen. Even in the middle of the day!
Thanks for all of the advice. My sister will have a small can of mace for me when I come visit her this weekend.
And, Amanda I have no idea what the Cooper Color Codes are, so I will be googling that!

Sorry! I meant to include a link.. you should find it pretty quickly googling. Most of it is in relation to carrying a weapon and determining when to use it, but the in between stuff is pretty useful in helping you to learn to be aware of the surroundings. My husband made me get familiar with it and use it in daily life.

I have a keychain size pepper spray that I wear on a cord around my neck. I don't really have to be concerned about human attackers on my route, but I like to have it for dogs (never had to use it, but it makes me feel better to have it in hand when a strange dog comes bounding up to me).