running at night

The time of the morning I am out, hardly anyone is on the roads. Should I see someone, I usually just nod. The only cars I usually see are the local PD and I always wave to them as well

Sometimes I find that other people do feel uncomfortable when I say hello to them and they tend to either lower their head or look away. That's fine, but most people are friendly because when they're out on the trail they're there for exercise and happy to say hello too.

My big scare was when I was out on a wooded trail one night just after dusk. It got dark quickly because it had started raining. The trail that runs through my town. I had my 2 dogs (border collies) with me and when we were about 150 feet from the end of the trail I could see 3 big male figures. I had my MP3 player going and I was also starting to get out of breath, but these guys would bunch up across the trail and then they would spread apart. I thought that they knew I was coming and I was afraid that they were trying to block my way. So I quietly said to one of my dogs "get 'em", just to get her ready in case they were going to try anything. From the way they were acting I could tell that they had been drinking. As I approached them from behind I yelled out "Excuse me!". From the way they reacted, I'd have to say that they didn't know that I was there. One of my dogs started barking and then one of the guys, tried to swing his fists at me, like he was going to knock me out. He didn't hit me, but that made the adrenaline kick in and I ran the heck out of there and didn't stop until I was really far from them.

So, if I run at night from now on, it's going to be on the sidewalks in town and not on a dark wooded trail.

Sometimes I find that other people do feel uncomfortable when I say hello to them and they tend to either lower their head or look away. That's fine, but most people are friendly because when they're out on the trail they're there for exercise and happy to say hello too.

My big scare was when I was out on a wooded trail one night just after dusk. It got dark quickly because it had started raining. The trail that runs through my town. I had my 2 dogs (border collies) with me and when we were about 150 feet from the end of the trail I could see 3 big male figures. I had my MP3 player going and I was also starting to get out of breath, but these guys would bunch up across the trail and then they would spread apart. I thought that they knew I was coming and I was afraid that they were trying to block my way. So I quietly said to one of my dogs "get 'em", just to get her ready in case they were going to try anything. From the way they were acting I could tell that they had been drinking. As I approached them from behind I yelled out "Excuse me!". From the way they reacted, I'd have to say that they didn't know that I was there. One of my dogs started barking and then one of the guys, tried to swing his fists at me, like he was going to knock me out. He didn't hit me, but that made the adrenaline kick in and I ran the heck out of there and didn't stop until I was really far from them.

So, if I run at night from now on, it's going to be on the sidewalks in town and not on a dark wooded trail.

Same as when I see another cyclist, just a light wave from the fingers

That sounds pretty scary 1st timer: --always carry cell phone!

Well since i started this thread i thought i'd chime in as to what i do: i have mp3 player always really loud and i ignore everybody. some people probably say hi, but i dont hear em and they probably think i'm unfriendly cause i obviously dont respond. but depends where you're running too.

What a great question, because I've also been plagued by this dilemma. I used to always wave at people I saw while running. However, I think that New Yorkers thought I was weird because I did that. I rarely get a wave back. They always look at me as if Im crazy. Or as if I've somehow interrupted something really important. So I've stopped acknowledging anyone while on my runs. It feels so rude.
Best
Sheila

I usually run the same route each night. A section of the run is via the Red Light district of Sydney. Everyone is friendly, even the door heavies. I've been doing it for years & feel completely safe.

Rarely do I ever see other people running at night. Occasionally I'll see walkers though and whenever I run past them I usually scare the c**p out of them.

I almost always nod or say hello, but as a woman I am always aware of everyone around me and that they know I am aware.

Generally, i did nothing, sometime just a nod

I usually smile at people as I pass them but that is about it, I don't say anything to them though.