Is 6am these mornings unsafe for a woman to go running

sunflower1200

Hi quick question.
Im currently unable to run in the evenings.
I am a womanliving in Harolds X and Im considering going at six in the morning. Would this generally be considered unsafe as it is still dark. I was thinking of running along the canal on the road towards Ranlagh and back. Any thoughts? Many thanks

Rodin

sunflower1200 wrote: »

Hi quick question.
Im currently unable to run in the evenings.
I am a womanliving in Harolds X and Im considering going at six in the morning. Would this generally be considered unsafe as it is still dark. I was thinking of running along the canal on the road towards Ranlagh and back. Any thoughts? Many thanks

Do you have music in your ears?

Fluorescence

So long as you're aware of your surroundings you should be fine. Besides, I'd imagine there's cars present on the road by 6am that close to town? I know there is in my area (1 or 2 every minute) and it's pretty suburban.

Just be cautious I guess.

AnonymousPrime

Would I be right in saying the scum of the city are late risers?
And that really, all that is in play is a rational fear of the dark.

sunflower1200

Hi Rodin. No I wouldnt have music as I think thats probably not a great idea, safetywise. Thanks

robinph

Wear visible clothing and you'll be fine. Biggest danger is being scared of stuff.

runrabbit

I was up at 4.30am last weekend to bring someone to the airport and had planned to run when I got home just before 6am. However I met a few drunks on their way home when I was out driving and it made me a bit nervous so I held off til later. I wouldn't be worried during the week though - people are generally starting to rise and make their way to work at that stage

kingQuez

Wouldnt be too worried about running early in the morning, make sure you're visible and probably avoid headphones for the first few times to get a feel for things. The only thing I'd mention is that the bridges/benches along the canal seem to be a popular spot for homeless/drunks, but once you stay out on the footpaths/roads that shouldnt be a big issue..

Magnet

Being female I`m a fan of the early morning solo run - the earlier the better!
But I`m on Athenry`s country roads not Dublin, My usual time would be 5/5.30am in summer but 6-7am in winter and never had any issues...
No music and I run on the same side as the oncoming traffic so we both see each other.
6am should be fine in Dublin, your area has street lighting/footpaths so you`re grand I would think but be sensible, try 7am for a week then 6am the next week `til you know what its like in those areas at those times and you get a feeling of being safe - Don`t run the same loop/route all the time, mix it up for your own head and the safety side of things.
It`s the best feeling in the world heading into work after a good long run in the morning

huskerdu

I would agree that it should be safe, but if you are worried, stick to well lit pavements. I run in the dark frequently in suburban Dublin and never feel unsafe.

The canal might not be your best option. Some parts of it are badly lit
and in my experience, the dog owners around there don't take the "pooper scooper" laws seriously all the time. You need to be able to see the road ahead to avoid the little presents left behind.

BrendanCro

Hey,

I live in Harolds Cross and run most mornigns (although usually closer to 7am than 6am. If your worried about the Canal I'd recommend running a comboof Harolds X road and Leinster road into Rathmines - never encountered anyone other than work commuter or other runners.

Mr Slow

It's natural to fear running in the dark, not irrational. Be careful, stay on well lit roads and if you see something/someone up ahead that unnerves you - don't dismiss it, turn around and head back the way you came.Carry a personal alarm (just in case).

There was a girl near where I live (a respectable area) who jumped out of a taxi outside her estate to save him going around and cut through a small green area to be met by 3 guys who raped her in turn. I really don't want to frighten anyone but you can't be too careful.

jcsmum

Before DCM I used to run early in the mornings around 6am, so it was pretty dark. I kept to the main roads. You can't be too careful. A few times I did question my sanity as there were so few people around and so few cars driving by.

NeedsTraining

Sunflower, I run along the canal a couple of mornings a week at 6ish.
There are generally a good few people around, other runners, walkers, cyclists. Also plenty of cars.
So you should be safe enough.
Probably see you out there some morning, I normally give fellow runners a 'good morning'. Enjoy your training.

NT

huskerdu

jcsmum wrote: »

Before DCM I used to run early in the mornings around 6am, so it was pretty dark. I kept to the main roads. You can't be too careful. A few times I did question my sanity as there were so few people around and so few cars driving by.

I have questioned my sanity while out running in the dark a few times. Nothing to do with safety.

RacoonQueen

That stretch of the canal is probably the busiest stretch, at any time of day. I wouldn't be too worried, main thing is not to get into a 'routine' and that should keep you safe. Stay on the 'main' road side of the canal until the mornings get brighter.

geld

If you had a partner to run with it would make all the difference both from a safety point of view and to give you some motivation.

sunflower1200

Thanks for the replies. Think Ill start next week.

Mr Slow

RacoonQueen wrote: »

That stretch of the canal is probably the busiest stretch, at any time of day. I wouldn't be too worried, main thing is not to get into a 'routine' and that should keep you safe. Stay on the 'main' road side of the canal until the mornings get brighter.

I wouldn't get 'into a routine' from a personal safety point of view, leave at different times and vary the route duration and direction. I may seem paranoid but the OP is concerned about safety and while most people get about without any problems there are those who don't and wish they'd taken the longer way round or accepted the offer of being seen home.

claralara

I ran into work this morning - I leave at about 7 and I run along a busy road (the N11) so I don't worry too much. One thing that did dawn on me this morning about running in the dark is that I always run on the side of the road with the traffic coming against me. Obviously it's nothing major as it doesn't take a lot to cross a road but it's just a small extra thing to be aware of I suppose.

RacoonQueen

[QUOTE=mrslow;70084374]I wouldn't get 'into a routine' from a personal safety point of view, leave at different times and vary the route duration and direction. I may seem paranoid but the OP is concerned about safety and while most people get about without any problems there are those who don't and wish they'd taken the longer way round or accepted the offer of being seen home.[/QUOTE]

Thats what I said... :pac:

robinph

claralara wrote: »

One thing that did dawn on me this morning about running in the dark is that I always run on the side of the road with the traffic coming against me.

Standard "rule" for walking along country roads with no footpath would be to run on the side of the road with the traffic coming towards you, so you can see them about to kill you and jump in the ditch is the reasoning I believe.

Magnet

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Thats what I said... :pac:

Actually it`s what I said!!

Mr Slow

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Thats what I said... :pac:

I was agreeing with you, hello?:P

betsie

One thing you may want to be careful of at 6am these mornings is ice on footpaths and roads, hard to see when its not fully bright.