Sep 12, 2022·edited Sep 12, 2022Liked by Kevin Beck
Although I have a Garmin Connect account, it is private and I have it only because Garmin discontinued the desktop Training Center. I have never had a Strava account and have no interest in getting one.
My wife always runs alone, often on single-track trails. Many years ago, when she was a teacher, she used to start at about 4 AM. The only issue she had was one day she and another runner ran into one another in the dark. Now she has the luxury of being able to run mid-morning.
Too many South African runners I have known personally or by reputation have died after being hit by a car while running. I've also known some who have died by violence, though not while running. For instance, my first fairly regular running partner and his wife were murdered by an escaped convict who happened on their tent when they were camping in a wilderness area.
Posting one's movements on Strava, as I do, does seem a bit perilous. But I wonder, again, if a single person has met their end because of Strava. Even if the answer is yes, given the stat I mention in my other comment, 6700 pedestrians killed by autos, is getting rid of Strava really the best action to reduce your risk of death? I sincerely doubt it.
I personally block anyone who tries to follow me who I don't know. And I know it's ridiculous but I do enjoy chasing CRs/QOMs so I don't make my account private. Living dangerously! At my age, I'm much more worried about cancer than Strava.
I can't stand the "she shouldn't have been running at 4 a.m." comments. How many times had she run at that hour with her cell phone (that is taking at least some precaution) without incident before? How many other people do?
I mentioned on Twitter that a teammate of mine was attacked on a pedestrian path in the daylight in a "safe" place. What do the geniuses who tend to blame the victim tell her? Don't run at all? Besides, not everyone has the luxury of choosing when, when, and with whom to run. It's easy to dictate what others "should" do sitting back from a comfortable position.
Assault against women is one of the most common crimes. The statistics are shocking. Even when women are left with the burden of "protecting ourselves" it doesn't often stop the crimes from happening.
In many ways, I was reckless when I was younger, going to remote areas in the mountains and not telling people where I was headed, doing long runs solo on the trails. My friends and I also got lost once and took several rides from strangers to get back to the trailhead. I have countless similar stories. We were simply lucky. That's what it comes down to.
Life is one big case study of risk management. Right? Poor Eliza Fletcher, stolen by a crackpot who had been in the can since he was 18 years old, and had plenty of raps as a juvenile. But a 4am run without company in Memphis is perhaps not super great risk management. She has every right to go for solo runs at any time, but Memphis has a very high crime rate so it's a dangerous idea at best. When I encounter a solo woman on the trail (usually walkers) it's always cringe because I am 6'1" and male. It's really cringe when I approach from behind. I cough, kick rocks, try to be heard, but frequently it's a jump scare for the poor ladies. I smile, wave and apologize ((I am Canadian) but what do these women think?
Although I have a Garmin Connect account, it is private and I have it only because Garmin discontinued the desktop Training Center. I have never had a Strava account and have no interest in getting one.
My wife always runs alone, often on single-track trails. Many years ago, when she was a teacher, she used to start at about 4 AM. The only issue she had was one day she and another runner ran into one another in the dark. Now she has the luxury of being able to run mid-morning.
Too many South African runners I have known personally or by reputation have died after being hit by a car while running. I've also known some who have died by violence, though not while running. For instance, my first fairly regular running partner and his wife were murdered by an escaped convict who happened on their tent when they were camping in a wilderness area.
Posting one's movements on Strava, as I do, does seem a bit perilous. But I wonder, again, if a single person has met their end because of Strava. Even if the answer is yes, given the stat I mention in my other comment, 6700 pedestrians killed by autos, is getting rid of Strava really the best action to reduce your risk of death? I sincerely doubt it.
I personally block anyone who tries to follow me who I don't know. And I know it's ridiculous but I do enjoy chasing CRs/QOMs so I don't make my account private. Living dangerously! At my age, I'm much more worried about cancer than Strava.
I can't stand the "she shouldn't have been running at 4 a.m." comments. How many times had she run at that hour with her cell phone (that is taking at least some precaution) without incident before? How many other people do?
I mentioned on Twitter that a teammate of mine was attacked on a pedestrian path in the daylight in a "safe" place. What do the geniuses who tend to blame the victim tell her? Don't run at all? Besides, not everyone has the luxury of choosing when, when, and with whom to run. It's easy to dictate what others "should" do sitting back from a comfortable position.
Assault against women is one of the most common crimes. The statistics are shocking. Even when women are left with the burden of "protecting ourselves" it doesn't often stop the crimes from happening.
In many ways, I was reckless when I was younger, going to remote areas in the mountains and not telling people where I was headed, doing long runs solo on the trails. My friends and I also got lost once and took several rides from strangers to get back to the trailhead. I have countless similar stories. We were simply lucky. That's what it comes down to.
Life is one big case study of risk management. Right? Poor Eliza Fletcher, stolen by a crackpot who had been in the can since he was 18 years old, and had plenty of raps as a juvenile. But a 4am run without company in Memphis is perhaps not super great risk management. She has every right to go for solo runs at any time, but Memphis has a very high crime rate so it's a dangerous idea at best. When I encounter a solo woman on the trail (usually walkers) it's always cringe because I am 6'1" and male. It's really cringe when I approach from behind. I cough, kick rocks, try to be heard, but frequently it's a jump scare for the poor ladies. I smile, wave and apologize ((I am Canadian) but what do these women think?