I have had several people contact me about a section of the London book that provides safety advice specifically for women. I really appreciate this feedback and I have made changes to future editions.
Here are the revised safety suggestions:
Further Safety Suggestions
Unfortunately it is the reality that both male and female runners can receive unwanted attention even in London. Suggestions for feeling safer include running in daylight or in well-lit areas, alternating your running routes randomly, running with company or in populated areas, letting friends or family know where you are going and when you’ll be back, using a safety app (like bSafe), and being alert to suspicious behaviour. If anyone is concerned about their safety, a course in self-defence is a great idea.
I sincerely apologise to anyone who has taken offence to the original safety suggestion. If I could reprint all the copies of the book, I would.
In no way was my original suggestion meant to discourage women from running or to support the idea that women are somehow to blame for gratuitous attacks. Quite the opposite was my intention and I hope that those who do read the book understand that this book is meant to liberate all London runners—male and female, young and old—to enjoy their stunning city, enjoy their running and stay as safe as possible while doing so.
Since writing the book I now manage my own running coaching business, called TempoFit, which has the sole purpose of providing all runners with the tools and motivation to love their running. Encouraging others to run is one of my great passions and the reason I self-published this book.
Finally, although it doesn’t justify what was written, I would like to note that the original safety suggestion was written just weeks after someone close to me was attacked at knifepoint while running. I wrote this section in consultation with her, somewhat in the heat of the moment. No one should ever go through an horrific attack like this and I hoped this book would encourage more women to feel safe while running. As you can imagine, this incident shook me, and the victim, and has since influenced where I live and where, when and how I run. My heart breaks for anyone who has gone through anything similar.
Folks, you were born to run. Take the necessary safety precautions, but, please, keep running. Our world is starved of movement and running is the single best movement I know in order to stay healthy and explore our planet. Keep moving, keep running and let's look out for each other and together take back our streets.
By Hayden Shearman
Here are the revised safety suggestions:
Further Safety Suggestions
Unfortunately it is the reality that both male and female runners can receive unwanted attention even in London. Suggestions for feeling safer include running in daylight or in well-lit areas, alternating your running routes randomly, running with company or in populated areas, letting friends or family know where you are going and when you’ll be back, using a safety app (like bSafe), and being alert to suspicious behaviour. If anyone is concerned about their safety, a course in self-defence is a great idea.
I sincerely apologise to anyone who has taken offence to the original safety suggestion. If I could reprint all the copies of the book, I would.
In no way was my original suggestion meant to discourage women from running or to support the idea that women are somehow to blame for gratuitous attacks. Quite the opposite was my intention and I hope that those who do read the book understand that this book is meant to liberate all London runners—male and female, young and old—to enjoy their stunning city, enjoy their running and stay as safe as possible while doing so.
Since writing the book I now manage my own running coaching business, called TempoFit, which has the sole purpose of providing all runners with the tools and motivation to love their running. Encouraging others to run is one of my great passions and the reason I self-published this book.
Finally, although it doesn’t justify what was written, I would like to note that the original safety suggestion was written just weeks after someone close to me was attacked at knifepoint while running. I wrote this section in consultation with her, somewhat in the heat of the moment. No one should ever go through an horrific attack like this and I hoped this book would encourage more women to feel safe while running. As you can imagine, this incident shook me, and the victim, and has since influenced where I live and where, when and how I run. My heart breaks for anyone who has gone through anything similar.
Folks, you were born to run. Take the necessary safety precautions, but, please, keep running. Our world is starved of movement and running is the single best movement I know in order to stay healthy and explore our planet. Keep moving, keep running and let's look out for each other and together take back our streets.
By Hayden Shearman
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