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Another runner attacked
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running clubs arent the only answer - i walk and plod very slowly around my local golf course because iam frankly far too slow and uncommitted to join a running club and many people will share that experience
staying out of the parks and other spaces wont make this individual go away or help catch him -it will just make other runners suffer and why should they/we - runners/walkers who wish or need to run alone are not the criminals here so why should they be punished
but doing positive things to make the areas safer will allow people to go about their business and find solutions to fear
It's educating for one thing.
hand weights could make a nasty hole in someones face
but more seriously perhas local authorites should be putting on self defence /self preservation classes on for people who want to go about their lives unrestricted
why is always the people who may be victims of crime the ones who have to change and be inconconvenienced
why do we pander to the very very few who stop us from doing what we are legally entitled to when they do what they are not legally to do
im not going to start a feminist diatribe - but its mostly women who get twice punished by these people - by being the targets and then by having to change their behaviour when they are not the ones in the wrong
It's a shocking thing to have happened to any one - the fact that it's a second runner to be attacked in this way brings it closer to home. We should regard this as an attack against ALL runners.
Don't think I can add to what's already been expressed - anger, fear, outrage. Even after they've caught the lowlife responsible for these attacks the fact that things like this can (and sadly do) happen will have all except the most oblivious of us looking over our shoulders. What a sad sad world we sometimes live in.
On a practical note I can't be the only person who lives alone, and it isn't always possible to tell someone where or when I am going out, or to run with someone else.
GDL, I think someone else has mentioned that this is the third woman to be attacked by this man. I remember reading about a second woman being approached, but I think she got away. Let's hope this is the last.
When they catch this little sh1t then have him lie across the finish line @ FLM so 33,000 pairs of feet can tell him how the running community feels about him!
This has been a shocking event and whilst it is not made any less so by the fact that the same attacker appears to be responsible for both of the most recent attacks the chances are someone will have seen the attacker before the assault took place.
This current fear will only be lifted when the man (and I suppose we must assume it IS a man) is caught so lets all keep our eyes open and if we see something not quite right, tell someone: a park-keeper, a policeman, anyone. Also if someone is making you uncomfortable, warn other people, be they runners, walkers, whoever.
This forum already seems to be a large family, especially the London contingent. Extend that family. Be a nosy bugger because dollars to doughnuts, this fellow will be caught because someone sees something suspicious and reports it.
Snail, I still go back to the point that this fellow seems to attack from behind. In the circumstances, a Kalshnikov might not be any use, let alone a knife.
A further problem with carrying knives (and other deterrents) is that you are tempted to go into areas where common-sense probably tells you to stay away from.
A final problem of couse is that if you get pulled by the police, you'll be well in the klarts, though hopefully London police would be more sympathetic in the circs.
I will not run on my own as I have to pass areas where I do not feel comfortable running (ie shrubs and underpasses). I usually run with friends or my husband but this does make running sporadic as we all have such different jobs, however I really do not want to join a club.
It is a shame that we are having to do things like this because of some perverts who like to pray on others!
I'm a faster runner so have little to worry about but both my mum & sister run so I'm please when they run where it's safe. I've female friends that run too.
This forum is excellent for getting people together so they can run in safty.
I'm happy to do my bit by running with others. It's possible for me to do a recovery run with friends so they can enjoy the sport too.
So we can all help each other to run safer.
Snail, really pleased you don't carry that knife when we train together :-)
Be safe!
My running club is excellent about making sure everyone is safe (in fact, there have been emails today on this very topic, asking the guys to make sure that all female runners are safe, etc - though in my experience, they don't need to be asked).
BT - how do you know for sure that I don't?!? ;-)
About 5 metres behind!
I carry a can of deep heat in my hand whilst running - just incase! Never had to use it but guess it would hurt eyes if sprayed in them!
Keep as safe as you can out there runners!!
I don't carry a niffe any more because I though that if I carry one I must be able to use it and I am not too sure if I could use it. One thing is to punch somebody (which I had to do once) but another is to stab..
Otherwise it can be turned against you.
The best defence is to avoid dodgy areas, run where you can see openly if somebody is approaching you at least from 20 meters.
I wish I could listen to music and relax but no, unfortunatelly I live in London.
As for people running with personal stereos, espically women, I want to stop them and point out the obvious dangers but then they would just think I was a werido and attack me.
I don't like running machines.
sorry for my spelling though
What part of London do you live? (Not to much detail) I'm sure there will be some fellow runners nearby, just have to turn over a few stones first!
The police usually advise women to carry a samll can of hairspray that can be sprayed in to the eyes of an attacker.
Only problem is where exactly to put it if you are already carrying a water bottle in one hand and a personal alarm in the other!
I live in Brent.
Or am I being too pessimistic? Is there hope?
Forensically, they can do AMAZING stuff. Maybe he touched her clothing? Maybe they can tell stuff from dagger wounds...I don't know, but we can't give up hope, or morning runs on the Heath are a thing of the past!!!
Just wonder how the lady is...
I accept that there's a bit of straw clutching in the above, and that I've probably seen too many Crimewatch reconstructions to be truly objective, but I believe that we have to stay positive and keep hope. Otherwise, we may as well give up altogether.
Your right there does appear to be a lack of running clubs in your area, nearest would be Queens Park Harriers in NW10 but dont know if they are still going, I'm sure someone can let us know. Otherwise it would mean looking for a club further out such as Metros who are based around Harrow/Greenford.
Of course there maybe a few fellow forumites in or near your area?
A Utility or bum bag as they use to be known would be a good idea, would suggest takiing a mob phone if that's the case.
I have got into about 5 or 6 fights or other "situations" in recent years without me doing anything very much to cause or provoke them, and I am long past the point where I believe there will be a policeman or anyone else around to help me when I need someone. I consider I have a right to defend myself and to carry the means to do so.
Wise people nowadays should consider carrying their own effective protection, in my opinion, for use by way of self-defence. Not to be used unless you have to, but at least then it's on your person if you need it, not on a shelf back home where it's useless when trouble comes.
Self defense classes can be more trouble than they are worth, I train for 6+ hours a week in a particularly obnoxious martial art, and still feel I would rather avoid a fight. On that note, I would agree with chimp, that no protection method should allow your judgment to be clouded as to were is safe. The old saying is 'The best victory is the battle never faught'
Also practice how you would use it with a friend, and make sure you have it easily to hand.