6 Ways to Protect Yourself When Running Alone

Run with a Partner

It may sound obvious, but it's true: There's strength in numbers. Jarrett Arthur, founder and chief instructor of Customized Self-Defense for Women and other specialized self-defense programs, says that an assailant is way less likely to attack two women versus one. "Typically attackers look to target those who will give them the easiest path to achieve their crime—fast, little to no resistance, and in secret," she says. "Successfully assaulting two women at once is much more difficult because one could scream or run for help, dial 911, or help fight back."
While it's not always a realistic option, do your best to convince your partner, a friend, or a coworker into squeezing some miles in with you whenever possible, especially if it's in the earlier hours (before the sun rises) or after dark (when the sun has set). "It means you have two sets of eyes and two sets of ears on the ready," says Arthur.