A week or so ago, the Pittsburgh Marathon brought in a guy who was a former cop to teach women how to make better decisions about their safety when running alone, or in secluded areas.
I know several people who wanted to attend, but could not. I agreed to take notes. The representative of the Pittsburgh Marathon who was the coordinator for the event graciously permitted me to post my comments here, on this board.
But, the information was too voluminous for this board. So, Erok has graciously made ie available via google docs. Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwJPHGvVEgz9YVg2WDYtUjJnd1k/edit?usp=sharing
It was a good session. There are plans to do additional sorts of safety training in the future, but I haven't seen the details yet.
swalfoort
2013-02-26 16:13:07
Thanks, that's useful for everybody, not just women.
BTW this made me think of the detour around construction across from Bakery Square in Mellon Park. If you enter from the Fifth Ave side and then turn left at the T you end up at a locked gate to the apartment complex. That should be signed. And if you follow the detour around the construction and then follow the sign to Shadyside you enter a narrow fenced corridor that is also pretty isolated. That strikes me as a particularly good place to get mugged, since there's no way to turn and run in the narrow space. Something to be aware of.
jonawebb
2013-02-26 16:27:09
Hey, Jonawebb, could you make a specific thread about that construction issue, and put the location in the title. People who don't read about safety in general might still like to know about an issue at a location that they visit frequently.
And, it is JUST the sort of information that Craig Douglas was getting at when he said that running in a place that is familiar is generally safer than varying your route to discourage anyone from targetting you based on behavior. Not knowing about that locked gate could be a big deal.....
swalfoort
2013-02-26 16:33:27
Thanks for taking notes, Sarah. I really wanted to attend this but couldn't.
pseudacris
2013-02-26 20:34:03
Sara,
Do you mind if I share this at the Velomuse board?
or you can go and please share it yourself? :)
bikeygirl
2013-02-27 14:21:47
Bikeygirl;
Yes, post the link to Velomuse. I this is an important and empowering message, and I think the folks at the Pittsburgh Marathon would like to see the message get distributed widely.
One important note. I say something wrong in the notes. When talking about permitting oneself to become engaged at the top of page three, I wrote ".... you want to stay alert…..the less you have to THINK about your response, the more distracted you likely are....."
Obviously, the less you have to think about your response the LESS distracted you likely are! More thinking = more distracted = bad. More automatic/rehearsed=less thinking=less distracted =good.
I mixed my mores and my lesses when taking notes, I am afraid!
swalfoort
2013-02-27 15:47:18
I think this is great information to share with everyone. Thanks, Swalfoort!
Why market it to women, though? Why not just "Safety for Runners," as was written here? Grr.
jeg
2013-02-27 18:48:30
