Friday Fives: Five Ways to Defend Yourself on a Run

In the last week we've seen the heartbreaking stories of women runners killed on their runs.  This time of year it seems like barely a week goes by when the news announces a runner (in general, regardless of sex) has been attacked by a person or an animal.  Being able to defend yourself when running on your own this time of year is incredibly important.  Having a form of ID is important in case something happens, but you also need to be able to defend yourself.  I'm not saying you need to do all of these, but it may be helpful to have at least a couple of different options.

Before deciding on a specific product, I definitely recommend looking into your local and state laws to see if the item is legal to own in your state.  (It's illegal to buy mace in several states, and others are strict about the container size.)

1.  Self Defense classes!

Taking a self defense class is a fantastic way to learn how to protect yourself and make you confident that if you are attacked you can get away safely.  A simple Google search for self defense classes and your city can bring up lots of different options.  Many of these places offer group discounts so get a few people together and learn how to defend yourself together!
Runner's World also has a short video on some basic self-defense tactics, but keep in mind this is NOT a good replacement for a class.  In classes you're able to actually try out the different moves so you know what will work best for you.

2.  Pepper Spray

An old standby and is super easy to find on Amazon, and can also be found at auto parts stores.  Some options to look for include foam, gel and UV dye.  The foam is less likely to blow back onto you, and gel sticks to the attacker and has a longer range (25 feet vs 6-7 feet with foam.)  The UV dye makes it easier for the police to identify the person if they catch the criminal since they just need a blacklight to see the dye.  They are mostly found as keychains but there are many different variations on keeping it secure for easy access like arm bands and straps that go around your hands.
Definitely keep an eye on the expiration date on the container because it DOES have a shelf life, usually of about 4 years from when it was made.

3.  Go Guarded

This is essentially a ring with a sharp point and a rubber cover.  When you make a fist the point goes out over your knuckles so you're able to injure your attacker.

For more information, visit their website!  The product is also available on Amazon.

4.  Tigerlady Self-Defense Claw

This device has a somewhat similar idea as the go guarded ring above, but is a little more discreet.  It used cat's claws as an inspiration.  Essentially you carry it in your hand and when you need to defend yourself, you just squeeze your fist and the claws come out between your fingers to protect yourself.

Currently it is available on the Tigerlady website for $29.

5.  Monkey Fist Keychain

There are several different keychains on the market that you can use for self defense.
One option is a monkey fist keychain like this.

It looks pretty unassuming, but it's a small steel ball wrapped in paracord.  You can find them on Amazon or a range of different colors here.

What do you carry with you for self-defense on runs?