Anyone carry pepper spray?

[no0b]

I run with it tucked in my sports bra. I never took the class and technically it's not legal to have here...unless you have a license so I have to keep it "hidden". I would like to take a self defense course. I think we live in a fairly safe area however I think it's naive to think that just because I'm in a safe spot doesn't mean that it couldn't happen. Also, I'm worried about wildlife.

[boston340]

When I was in college I ran with pepper spray very similar to what MN06 posted. I always carried it in my right hand (I'm a righty) and had the nozzle unlocked so it was ready to go if I needed it.

I do agree with others that a self defense class is very valuable. I took one last year and plan to take a refresher annually.

[clseale]

This is why I won't run in the mornings (like 5AM). I understand that not everyone has the choice (and that attacks also happen in broad daylight), but I do have the choice, so I just don't do it. I don't live in an unsafe area, but there's always a chance that someone driving by will want to grab me. My typical route, which is dark and fairly desolate at 5AM, is packed w/neighbors, cars, and students after work, and I just feel so much safer. Even in the winter, when it technically IS dark at 6PM, there are so many people out vs early in the morning. I tend to be overly cautious about these things, and DH is a huge worrier. When I had mid-week 10-12 milers, and was out in the dark for a big chunk of time, he'd ride his bike to keep tabs on me. lol

[Brit]

May 6, 2014 15:44:54 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

May 6, 2014 15:42:12 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

My friend got me some pepper spray actually 2 weeks ago for this reason. I am going to start carrying it when I run solo mainly because in my neighborhood I run early-ish or late-ish and I'm more worried of coyotes and wildlife than a human attack. It is definitely a handheld thing. It has a key chain loop and I'll probably somehow attach it to my running belt thing or water bottle somewhere. There is a safety lock though so I can't just accidentally spray myself.

I can tell you right now that unless you run with it in your hand you're never going to be able to unclip it, and then pop the safety lock before whatever it is gets you. You have 1-2 seconds max to decide what to do, not the 5-10 to unclip it.

I kind of agree with this. I used to run with bear mace, but it was in a hand pouch so a bit more accessible. It was mostly with coyotes in mind.

[Brit]

Like this.

[Velar Fricative]

I did (and probably will get another container soon) and I usually spray into the air before my run just to make sure I'm holding it in my hand correctly and can spray correctly (and quickly) if something were to happen. I'm out running at 4:30/5:00 am and while my neighborhood is not unsafe, I should still be careful. And sometimes dogs freak me out so I figure the spray may help with that too.

Thankfully while there are some residential stretches along my route, there are some 24/7 businesses that I can run into should I feel unsafe or need help.

And I gave up running with music a long time ago (except for weekend runs where I run in the daylight and there are more people out). Though that was mostly so I can hear cars because drivers around here are assholes.

[elletr13]

I run with one that has a hand strap. If it isn't longer than 4 miles, I have my dog. We just moved to a more working class/lower class neighborhood than where we were before...there is def. more crime in the area, so I'm going to look into a self defense class now as well.