The final countdown to the 2015 Comrades Marathon, taking place on May 31, has begun.
Many athletes around the country will be upping the ante in terms of training for this prestigious event.
Given the time of year, and that the sun rises later and sets earlier, a private security company is urging athletes to remember that while training is important, their safety is too.
“Exercising caution starts even before you leave your home,” said Theunis Kotze, ADT general manager inland region.
“If you are heading out for a run, always inform someone of your whereabouts and expected return time.”
Here are six important tips to keep in mind when out on the road walking or running:
- Do not run alone:
According to Kotze, two people are harder to control than one, so attackers are less likely to strike and, if they do, you have just doubled your chance of survival. A dog works well too.
- Do not run with earphones:
When you have loud music blaring in your ears, you can’t hear a potential attacker come up behind you and it also slows your reaction time.
“When we dull our senses, we are less effective in the case of a surprise attack. If you must run with music, only use one earpiece, and switch ears during your run,” said Kotze.
- Alternate your route:
When we run the same route, or the same two routes, day after day, it not only makes us easy targets for stalkers, we also have a tendency to zone out. Altering your route makes you harder to track and keeps you more alert during your run because you are navigating unfamiliar terrain. The more alert you are, the more likely you are to escape an attack.
- Run against traffic:
It makes it harder for someone to abduct you in a vehicle if you see them coming, literally a mile away. This also helps prevent traffic related accidents, especially if you like to run in the early morning or at sunset.
- S-I-N-G:
Anyone who saw the charming Sandra Bullock movie, “Miss Congeniality” will remember her demonstration of self-defence at the beauty pageant talent show. “Remember to sing” is her line and it stands for four vulnerable parts of a person: solar plexis, instep, nose and groin.
Kotze also said if you are attacked from behind, self-defence experts tell you to elbow your attacker in the stomach, stomp on their instep, turn and shove the heel of your hand up their nose, then knee their groin.
“This often sounds easier than it is, so try take a self-defence class about every five years to keep the concepts fresh and your reaction time quick,” he said.
Always carry a cellphone and some form of identification in case you run into trouble and need to call someone. Even tape your details on the back of your cellphone for easy identification.
- Carry runner’s mace:
Runner’s mace is a small can that has a Velcro strap that fits easily around your hand or wrist. It is effective up to eight to 12 feet away, depending on aim, and one burst is usually enough to stop someone.
“The bottom line is don’t become an easy target, especially if you are a woman running alone,” said Kotze.
“Be aware of your surroundings, listen to your instincts and know what to do in the case of an attack. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.”
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