25 Safety Tips for Runners

By Melonie Kennedy

It’s summer time in the Northern Hemisphere and many of us are ready to ditch the treadmill and run outdoors. Whether you’re a veteran marathoner or a new runner, you may be eyeing the roads and trails with both excitement and trepidation. As wonderful as the summer breezes and sunshine may be, we also have safety concerns. That very issue is the reason Alexo Athletica came to be.

When training for a marathon, founder Amy Robbins had a harrowing experience: a pickup truck full of men drove past her, then circled back to harass and catcall her. Thankfully Robbins made it through the event unscathed, but it got her thinking. Where could she get fashionable, functional athletic wear that would allow her to carry a self-defense tool? Unable to find what she was looking for, in 2017 Amy launched Alexo Athletica’s first product – leggings for runners and walkers who want pockets to securely carry everything from ID and a phone to their chosen protection devices. From there, the line has expanded into a variety of garments for women and men, suitable for every day wear and every day carry.

Robbins named the company Alexo Athletica, meaning “to defend and help”, understanding that her products wouldn’t just provide consumers with clothing. Alexo supports people on their journeys to self-reliance by providing them with the apparel needed to build strong bodies and sharp minds. With each product design, Alexo ensures that the wearer’s choice of protection will be at hand as they go about their day.

Comfort and accessibility to all needed tools are especially important for those participating in Global Running Day. Taking place on June 1st, it is a “worldwide celebration of running that encourages people of all ages and abilities to get moving.” Runners and walkers can participate in a virtual 5K or find a local in-person event via the Global Running Day website. No matter how you join in, your safety and wellbeing are key – which means being aware of the many ways we can address safety. It may help to break safety concerns into categories in order to best incorporate them into our fitness activities. These categories are situational awareness skills, behavior and habits, gear and supplies, and general fitness issues.

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS:

Situational awareness is, simply put, the use of our senses to scan our environment in order to assess and identify threats to our safety. It’s the most essential skill we can develop, and it’s non-technical and totally free to work on. Assessing threats can mean something as simple as noticing that a heavy vase is too close to the edge of a high shelf, and moving it to a spot where it’s less likely to fall and injure someone! Where does situational awareness come into play for runners? With the following tips:

• On roads, run facing traffic. This allows you to better see vehicles and be better seen by drivers.
• In parks, stay in recreation lanes that are furthest from vehicular traffic.
• Look both ways before crossing streets. Even when we are obeying crossing signals, we cannot automatically trust that drivers are obeying their signals and watching for pedestrians.
• Know your route and plan for safety! As much as possible, stick to routes that keep you in well-lit, populated areas. Note locations of emergency call boxes, police and park ranger stations, and open businesses along your route; this gives you access to assistance if you are being bothered or are injured in some way on your run.
• Be weather aware. Check the local forecast before heading out; adjust your schedule accordingly if extreme heat or storms threaten. If lightning or ice are an issue, it’s probably your best bet to hit the gym instead of exercising outside that day. Many of us already watch for trip hazards, especially when running on trails, but remember to look up as well. Forested areas mean that limbs can fall from trees, especially on windy days. Keeping an eye to the sky also helps us stay aware of sudden weather changes, particularly for those in tornado-prone areas. (This is where your route planning comes in handy – do you know where to take shelter if bad weather hits?)
• Lastly, avoid use of headphones and your phone on your run. Being able to hear is vital to situational awareness, whether it’s the siren of an emergency vehicle approaching as you cross an intersection or the jingling collar of a dog chasing after you. As for the phone, while we may think we’re able to multitask while chatting with a friend, we’re actually diminishing our focus on our surroundings. Better to check in with them at the beginning and end of the run and keep your eyes and ears focused on your surroundings.

BEHAVIOR AND HABITS:

While situational awareness is one vital habit to build – and one that can serve us every day, no running involved – there are other habits and behaviors we want to examine when it comes to our fitness activities. We can easily adjust our behaviors so we can enjoy our run while limiting the opportunities presented to others who may wish us harm.

• Run with others. While a solo run is often good for the soul, there is safety (and fun) in numbers. If at all possible, run with a friend or a training group, such as the Road Runners Club of America.
• Show confidence as you move – stay tall, focused, engaged with your environment, and aware of your surroundings. Keeping your head up is a huge factor in looking like a hard target versus easy pickings!
• Change up your route. Don’t run at the same time, in the same place, on the same days. If you absolutely can’t change things up due to your schedule, consider sticking to a well-lit track at a school or health club where there are other people and possibly security personnel around.
• Communicate with a trusted person about your chosen route and schedule. Let them know your departure time, where you’ll be, and your anticipated return time. Even something as simple as a twisted ankle can cause significant delays, and having someone who knows to contact or look for you is incredibly important.
• Trust your gut! Women especially may need to work on this, as we are often taught to “be nice, be friendly, and help others”. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to leave an area early, avoid another person, or take other steps to protect yourself. We win every battle that never happens; listen to your intuition and act accordingly.
• Keep your phone concealed. Whether you’re wearing the Alexo Athletica Carry Runners or Springfield Performance CC Joggers, you’ll be able to tuck your cell phone away safely. Not having your phone visible means you’re less likely to become a target of theft, and it keeps your hands free as you move about.
• Stay off social media while running. In addition to being a distraction and unsafe as we move, live-streaming where road signs and landmarks can be seen shares our location, creating opportunities for others to find us. If you are making fitness videos as a brand, consider incorporating a chest or hat-mounted camera to record your footage for posting after your adventures.
• Speaking of your phone, make sure your battery is charged before heading out on your run or walk. (This is particularly important in areas where cell signal is limited; your phone will use more power trying to connect to a cell tower, which drains the battery more quickly.) Having a full battery means a higher likelihood of being able to make calls when you truly need to.
• If you absolutely must make a phone call, find a safe spot to stop and use your phone. Stage yourself where you can see others and are out of their way as well. When you’re done, tuck that phone back away and enjoy the rest of your run!
• If you are approached or verbally harassed, don’t respond – engaging with the harasser may make things worse. Alter your path where you’re able, and be ready to use self-defense skills as needed. If you feel it necessary to contact police, do so only after you’ve gotten yourself to safety. Don’t bother trying to record others if you have the chance to just get away.
• Keep an eye out for others and assist if it’s safe to do so. If you witness a confrontation or injury, call for appropriate emergency assistance first. The first rule of rendering aid is to secure the scene; this keeps you from becoming injured as well. Offering support to others helps build community, but trust your intuition about the situation. If you feel something is awry and meant to draw others into something dangerous, contact authorities and move away.
• Finally, get trained in first aid and find self-defense training that aligns with your personal beliefs and goals. You may decide that a nonlethal tool is best for you or you may choose a firearm for protection. No matter what you select, get trained in the safe storage, transport, and use of the product(s) before carrying them.

GEAR AND SUPPLIES:

Now we’re to what many folks consider the fun stuff! There are so many great products out there for running and every other type of exercise. It can be hard to choose, so let’s just focus on what will keep us safe and sound.

Photo credit Guns.com

• Clothing: Dress accordingly for weather. Look for UV blocking clothing and a comfortable brimmed hat for sunny days. In cooler weather, layers may be necessary, as well as a warmer hat, buff, and some gloves. Clothing should be reflective and help make you visible; a lighted vest may be of interest as well.
• Shoes: Choose shoes that are appropriate to the type of running you’re doing. Road and trail shoes aren’t just named that way for marketing purposes; they truly are made for different types of surfaces. If you choose to run or walk outdoors during winter weather, grip devices like Yaktrax might be a prudent addition to your gear.
• Hairstyle: If you have longer hair, consider pulling it into a bun instead of a ponytail. This cuts down on the chances an assailant can grab you from behind by your hair.
• Hygiene items: Use sunscreen and insect spray as needed. If you normally wear cologne or perfume, you may wish to limit use before running, to cut the number of bugs drawn your way.
• Self-defense tools: If you are not carrying a firearm, another option is the Mace Runner Safety Kit, which includes a personal alarm, a PepperGard Sport pepper spray, and a Muzzle Dog Repellent spray. In some areas, you may want to include bear spray (additional information on dealing with bears can be found on the U.S. National Park Service site).
• If trained in first aid or Stop the Bleed care, carry something like Live The Creed’s EDC Pocket Trauma Kit. This keeps vital supplies right in the pocket of your Alexos should you need them, and transfers easily to a purse, diaper bag, or briefcase after your run.
• Last but not least, don’t forget your identification and any applicable concealed carry permits. Products like a ROAD iD bracelet may be useful as well.

GENERAL FITNESS REMINDERS:

While running is great for both our physical and mental health, make sure your medical providers are aware of your activity. Get your annual physical, and if you’re new to running, don’t forget to work your way up to heavy training. Running with a furry friend? Check in with their vet and let them build endurance as well.

Most importantly, enjoy your run. All of these safety precautions are for naught if you’re not having a good time out there!

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Concealed Carry Magazine
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Recoilweb.com
by Chad McBroom
View Original Article

Physical training and conditioning are just as important to a prepared lifestyle as spending time on the range with your EDC. Those who make concealed carry a daily practice realize that one of the most vulnerable places they can find themselves is in the middle of a workout, dressed in athletic attire that neither offers the concealment nor the infrastructure to support carrying a weapon. Whether at the gym or on the running trail, the dangers around us don’t pause as we attempt to reach our fitness goals.

Amy Robbins discovered this reality while training for her first marathon. While battling to find a balance between security and comfort as she spent her days running in a Dallas park with a history of violent crime, she discovered a market void and set out to create her own athletic clothing line that would facilitate concealed carry. As a result, Alexo Athletica was born.

Alexo, literally meaning to defend, entered the scene in 2017 with their ladies Signature Pant, a nine-pocket concealed-carry legging that offers three integrated holster pockets, and eventually followed up with their Fit n’ Flow concealment cover jacket. As their loyal customers have anxiously awaited to see what new things are on the horizon, we were able to get an exclusive first look at the Alexo 2019 Spring Collection during SHOT Show.

As if pistol-packing leggings weren’t impressive enough, Alexo will soon be introducing the first-ever concealed-carry running short. Yes, that’s right. Alexo has integrated the same concealed-carry technology from their leggings into a stylish running short.

These new shorts feature a reinforced waistband with seven pockets to carry all your EDC essentials. There are three designated specialty pockets, one at the appendix and one on each hip, for securely carrying a taser, blade, chemical agent, small firearm (up to 23 oz loaded) or other defensive tools. These also pockets include the same double-pocket trigger guard system found on the Signature Pant. When covered with a semi-loose-fitting top, these running shorts looks like any other loose-fitting, high-cut running short.

No need to look far for those cover garments either. The Mesh Cupro Tank from Alexo offers a strategic front mesh detail that helps minimize printing and is perfect as a base garment for layering.  The re-release of the Mesh Tank this Spring will include black, grey, and a white version.

Also new for 2019 is the Hi Lo Lightweight Cupro Sweater in black, grey, and white. This bi-level design layers with the Mesh Cupro Tank to help conceal whatever you might be carrying in your Alexo leggings or shorts. The back of the sweater is cut slightly longer to give a little extra coverage to the backside while running around town. The sleeves have thumb holes to keep the hands warm during cooler weather.

One Sunday afternoon on August 7, 2016, 27-year-old Vanessa Teresa Marcotte left her mother’s house in Princeton, Massachusetts to go out for a run before heading back to her home in New York. She never returned. Her body was recovered a few hours later in a heavily wooded area less than a half-mile from away.

Original Article: https://www.recoilweb.com/alexo-athletica-athletic-apparel-for-armed-women-143457.html

Featuring, celebrities, music, style, food & drink, travel, gear & accessories, plus reviews & educational tools for life outdoors. #GetHookedUp

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Original Article: http://online.publicationprinters.com/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=7de6974f-776c-4002-a3d4-191416f5f2b0

Original Article: https://www.dailywire.com/news/36790/meet-woman-who-sells-athletic-pants-holster-kassy-dillon

While training for a marathon early in the morning and late at night, Amy Robbins wanted to have a defense tool on her body while on her runs to feel safe. With the lack of available women’s athletic wear that allows for both a workout and pockets for self-defense tools, Robbins decided to make her own and created Alexo Athletica….

Original Article: https://www.womensoutdoornews.com/2018/09/running-with-a-gun/

I’ve run since I was 14. At the time, the daughter of a friend told me I shouldn’t run alone – something bad could happen to me. She was only 6, but she already had gained an awareness of this reality: as a female, running down a country road poses danger. I never stopped running. I still run, down country roads, and on city streets. And I’m going to share how I have stayed safe while running for 31 years, which includes running with a gun…

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Cameleon @cameleonbags
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Alexo Athletica @alexoathletica
Fit n’ Flow Jacket

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Alexo Athletica @alexoathletica
Signature Pant

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Danner @dannerboots
Women’s Mountain 600

Original Article: patriotgunnews.com

Founder and CEO of Alexo Athletica, Amy Robbins, has a long history with guns. Hosting NOIR and GunTV and most recently the Not Your Average Gun Girl podcast, Robbins has taken her knowledge of firearms and married it to the fashion industry, creating Alexo Athletica — a fashionable line of active wear for women who conceal carry.

Robbins said the idea for a concealed carry athleisure line was sparked while she was training for an upcoming marathon. Hitting the pavement for long runs early in the morning or late at night, she realized there was a gaping hole in the gun industry where women and athletic wear were concerned.

“After I got my concealed carry permit I really wanted to be able to run with my gun on my body but found no options I really liked. I also wanted to be able to wear my workout clothes throughout the day and needed something to be fashionable as well as functional for my lifestyle,” Robbins told Guns.com. “At that time there was nothing on the market that satisfied my taste for both so I got to work designing a line that I would want to wear and there just so happened to be a large market of women looking for the same thing.”

The idea took a couple of years to bring to life. With no prior background in fashion design, Robbins is completely self-taught and the process to bring Alexo Athletica into fruition wasn’t an easy one. After two years in development, where Robbins enlisted the help of others including her husband, Alexo Athletica has finally entered the active wear market, showcasing a variety of designs for women who lead an active lifestyle (or those that just like the looks of it.)

Alexo Athletica boasts a bevy of clothing options for women. With three jackets, a Signature Pant, Carry Crop and two new jackets on the way for Spring, Robbins has carefully crafted products that fit into a busy woman’s wardrobe. Offering sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, the company also gives women of multiple sizes the option to carry.

“We love getting to design fashionable, functional clothes and could not continue to do it without the support of this great community,” Robbins said. “While other big name athletic brands back down from supporting our second amendment right, our company will not only be vocal in supporting it but will continue to make it possible to exercise that right as well.”

Looking towards the horizon, Alexo Atheletica has plans to eventually add more active wear to its look book, incorporating concealed carry styles for the manly carriers among the community.

“In five years we plan on not only having a full, four season lifestyle line for women but men as well. This idea of self reliance is a gender neutral issue and we want to provide the most functional, fashionable carry wear available on the market,” she said.

For now Robbins continues her mission of delivering fashion forward athliesure wear to women who carry; and though it’s been an arduous journey, she says she hopes Alexo Athletica continues its growth into the athletic brand for men and women.

“My ultimate goal for Alexo is to see continued growth in the empowerment movement and see a world inspired by men and women who are independent, athletic, and have a willingness to defend themselves if needed,” Robbins explained.

Original Article: patriotgunnews.com

BECKY YACKLEY
MAY 29, 2018
GUNWORLD.COM

We could not be more proud of the amazing review and article written up about us in Gun World. Please take a couple of minutes to find out what Alexo is all about from an editor’s perspective and share with all of your friends. We want all women to be safe and stylish!

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