The running community is small and generally tight knit. We are a community of people who have shared experiences brought on by the highs, lows, demands and exhilaration of running. Regardless of our differences in age, gender, race, religion, location, politics and faith, running is a unifying sport that brings us all together. We take action to improve ourselves and those actions create shared experiences. Two runners can sit down at a Café and instantly have a shared connection. While I never knew Eliza Fletcher personally, I know many women who are runners and are dedicated to themselves and the sport. They run in the early morning and at night. They ought to be able to run in safety. We all should be able to run in safety.
However, the world can be a dangerous place. Some places in America are safer than others, some places in America are just downright dangerous. This was a horrendous and devastating event committed by a lifetime criminal and psychopath. The reality is that some people in this world have no respect for life, no respect for themselves and no respect for others. Eliza Fletcher did nothing wrong. She did not bring this upon herself. She was a runner, doing what runners do, doing what my friends do on a daily basis.
This heartbreaking murder has sent shockwaves through our running community. I’ve read stories how runners are apprehensive to get outdoors and on the trail again. A random act of violence like this can be scary and may seem like it’s out of our control to prevent or stop it. While a random act of violence is unpredictable, there are many steps, actions and measures a runner can take to increase their safety.
Reference
The RRCA has compiled a great list of Runner Safety Tips. I recommend everyone look over these and familiarize yourself with them. https://www.rrca.org/education/for-runners/runner-safety-tips/
For my job I travel around America and run in many different cities, streets, parks and locations. I pre-plan these running routes, conduct research, gather intelligence data about the area, course and generally drive the course before running it. I’ve deployed to Iraq three times as a Leader and have led multiple combat operations where safety, situation awareness and vigilance was a way of life. I’ve traveled abroad to multiple countries with known threats to Americans. Staying “In the Yellow” is something I’ve trained myself to do.
I am writing this blog because I care about my community. I care about my running club. I care about my friends and family. My hope is, after reading this you are more aware and can run in confidence that your actions and vigilance can and will help to keep you safe while doing something you love.
Awareness
Mindset / Understanding: I use Cooper’s Color Code everyday in my life. This is especially applicable to running safety.
White: This is when I am home, in my own house. I can control who has access to my house and have the devices and tools to prevent and repel evil and danger from accessing my family.
Yellow: I am “In the yellow” every time I leave my house. This is my state of awareness while running. No matter how many times I’ve ran the route or how comfortable I am with the area. Always stay in the yellow.
Orange: When someone or an event puts you in the orange. Report it. Tell someone, a leader in the Run Club, the Police, a Parent, Sibling or Friend. Report it.
Red: As referenced in the RRCA list above, you can take self defense classes. You are taking action! Do everything to stay alive, get safe and do not fade to Black.
Black: Train and prepare to avoid fading to black. You can fight your way back to Red, then get safe and take action.
Run Safe
Know the route and the area you are running. Share that route with someone.
Don’t run alone. Join a Running Club, make some runner friends and don’t go solo. There is strength in numbers.
Wear high-vis clothing in low-light conditions. Let someone know what you’re wearing. Get in the Run Club photo.
Carry your phone or data connected device (running watch) that will report your location to friends and family.
An Apple Air-Tag is a great alternative. It’s lightweight and can fit in a small pouch in your running shorts, bottle or pocket. Your friends and family can track your location.
Check your privacy settings on your running apps (Strava, NRC, Map my Run, etc.) Ensure the Start / Finish locations are hidden and only known and trusted people have access to the routes you run.
Know areas of safety you can retreat to for safety along your route. Stores, Buildings, Houses, etc
Trust your instincts if something seems out of place or raises suspicion.
Don’t drone-out on music. Try open-ear music options (Bone Conduction) in order to stay aware of the sounds around you.
Carry a defensive tool. Mace, Pocket Knife or Firearm. Whatever tool you carry, you should train on how to use it and implement it in a manner that will protect and preserve life.
Firearms: I have a Conceal Carry license and run with a lightweight pistol in my running vest on my long runs. If you choose this option, educate yourself, train and stay proficient. Understand, know and abide by all laws applicable to firearms in your city, county and state. A quick Google Search will result in a myriad of solutions to running with a firearm. (Holsters, Pistol Types, Ammo, etc)
Be prepared to FIGHT should the need arise. Take a self defense course or find someone to train with. In a fight for your life there is no “right or wrong”. You gauge eyes, rip nostrils, kick in the balls, throat punch, etc. The outcome is to live another day by any means necessary.
Keep Running
You are in control of your life and have control over your actions and emotions. Please do not let this horrible event strike enough fear in you that you stop doing what you love. You can take measures in your life to make yourself a harder target to attack. Stay vigilant for yourself and your friends.
It would be great if every community in America was safe enough to run in whenever we wanted. The reality is that just isn’t the case and we must be aware of current and emerging threats to runners. These threats could be the weather, snakes, floods, traffic patterns, dogs, animals and of course other people.
For my running community, rest assured that myself and other men like me will spring into action should we see someone in distress or danger. I run past many people on the Greenway that are strangers and we’ve never met, but that won’t stop me from helping should the need arise.