JustTricia
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,825 
Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Jun 1, 2015 15:25:55 GMT
Do you wear headphones? Both in, just one in, not at all?
There's a state park I pass every day and have thought about getting a membership and using the trails, but I would be by myself. It would be 6:30ish, so still way light and the park is pretty populated. I think it seems like a bad idea, so I guess I just want other opinions.
Thanks.
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Post by annabella on Jun 1, 2015 15:29:52 GMT
I would never walk in a state park alone with headphones. I've walked them many times with friends and feel totally safe, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable alone as a woman. I just think of Chandra Levy.
If I were you I'd look for a hiking meetup group or a local running group. Or maybe post a sign in the ladies bathroom at the park saying you're looking for a walking buddy.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 1, 2015 15:35:40 GMT
I walk alone in our town park lol the time and headphones wouldn't bother me. But our town park is pretty open and there are no private places to be had, someone can always see you and at 6:30 there are tons of people there.
A state park, no way would I wear headphones In either ear. Our state parks are pretty wild and I'd be much much more concerned with not hearing an animal that a human criminal. I want to hear that, bear, wolf, coyote, SKUNK so I can avoid if possible. I do have a friend who did surprise a skunk and it was not pretty.
Now if I went to the eastern part of the state where there are acfew 'urban' state parks then maybe
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Post by padresfan619 on Jun 1, 2015 15:36:50 GMT
I wear headphones in each ear but I also have a medium sized dog with me. The trails I hike on are all around my home so they are mostly populated with my neighbors. I can't go on a hike without seeing people I know.
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Post by bianca42 on Jun 1, 2015 15:40:32 GMT
I wouldn't alone, but that's because I lived in Buffalo NY when the Bike Path Rapist was active and now that's all I can think about when I see any bike/running trail.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,663
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Jun 1, 2015 15:43:09 GMT
I'd stick with a buddy. Runners always find bodies off the trail, that freaks me out.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,726
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Post by purplebee on Jun 1, 2015 15:44:36 GMT
I walk in my local small city park with head phones. But not that early in the am. There is a wide, open walking trail and the police station is a block away.
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Post by hennybutton on Jun 1, 2015 15:47:38 GMT
Do you have a dog? Do they allow dogs on the trails? That's one way to go.
I walk the trail from the state beach to the city beach a couple of times a week. I listen to audiobooks through my Bluetooth earphone (one ear). When it gets really noisy and crowded, I switch to my earphones. I don't worry too much about getting attacked because people are almost always nearby. I do keep the volume low enough on my audiobooks to hear bicyclists and runners coming up behind me.
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Post by liya on Jun 1, 2015 15:47:44 GMT
I have walked alone in my local parks but also not that early.
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,972
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Post by Sarah*H on Jun 1, 2015 15:48:02 GMT
I run alone on a trail mostly through the woods. I wear both headphones and I've honestly never worried or even thought about being concerned about safety. There are some days when there are lots of other people out there and then there are mornings like today where I didn't see another soul for 5 miles.
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Post by hennybutton on Jun 1, 2015 15:50:16 GMT
I have walked alone in my local parks but also not that early. I read it as 6:30 in the evening because she said it was still light. |
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Post by peano on Jun 1, 2015 15:54:38 GMT
I walk alone with my dog daily in an area that is partly a town park with trails in a forested area and open space fields. Some days I come across a few people, some I don't. I don't wear headphones because the experience is a meditative one for me, and I want to be able to hear nature sounds. But also, I don't think it's wise to deprive oneself of one's senses when you're a woman alone in a remote area. It's just not smart.
From time to time I go out in the state forest by myself. I do have moments of trepidation, but really more about getting hurt by falling or something, and lately more because of all the black bear sightings in my area. I'm an introvert. I have to be out in nature every day. I've been doing this for years and I made a decision a long time ago to live with the fear. For me, to do otherwise, and give into the fear and remain seated on my couch equates slow death.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 26, 2024 5:13:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2015 15:58:16 GMT
I don't, both for safety and, mostly, my own pleasure of not having people-noise in my ears while I'm trying to enjoy the trails.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Jun 1, 2015 16:01:17 GMT
I don't, but because I don't like headphones. I have sensory issues with music being played directly on my eardrum! But I run/hike on trails all the time, alone or with just my teenaged daughter, and I just don't worry about it.
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Post by liya on Jun 1, 2015 16:01:33 GMT
I have walked alone in my local parks but also not that early. I read it as 6:30 in the evening because she said it was still light. Oh. Alone at 6:30PM...I would probably walk alone. There would probably be plenty of people out and about that I would feel safe enough. ETA: I never answered about the headphones. Yes I wear them but I don't keep the volume very loud. |
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Post by kitkath on Jun 1, 2015 16:06:10 GMT
I run a few trails near my house, always alone. No matter where I am running I always use only one earbud for safety reasons. You need to be able to hear other runners, bikes, cars...
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Post by snappinsami on Jun 1, 2015 16:07:02 GMT
I used to walk a trail by our (old) house that was pretty infrequently traveled. It was around 4 miles, and if I saw 1 or 2 people, it was rare. It did go right along people's back yards, but there never seemed to be anyone there.
That being said, if I didn't have my dog with me, I did wear headphones. BUT... I specifically buy headphones that allow in ambient noise, rather than cancel it out. Even with my music turned up enough to keep me motivated, I could still clearly hear what was going on around me - footsteps, dogs, cars, etc. I would never wear any kind of noise canceling headphones when I exercise outside. Just not safe, IMO.
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Post by scrappersue on Jun 1, 2015 16:07:02 GMT
I walk on trails near our river with our small dog. I never use headphones. I try to go when there are people around, but I have to admit that more than once I have had weird feelings about being on the trail alone. A couple of times I have turned around. One time I passed a group of teens that looked like they were up to no good and it was near my turn around point. I was pretty sure I would stumble across them on the way back so I picked up a big stick and carried it all the way back to the car. I don't go that way anymore. I also have thought about carrying some mace. Mostly now I go on nice days after work or on weekends when there are lots of people around. But, no headphones.
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Post by flanz on Jun 1, 2015 16:07:18 GMT
I take safety precautions when I can and I would not do it. Would make me feel much too vulnerable.
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Post by KikiPea on Jun 1, 2015 16:08:29 GMT
No, I don't. I just turn on Pandora on my phone and put it in my pocket, while walking my pup. I can hear it fine w/o headphones, and it's not loud enough to bother others. It also means I have my phone, if for some crazy reason I need to call 911.
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JustTricia
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,825
Location: Indianapolis
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Post by JustTricia on Jun 1, 2015 16:57:18 GMT
Yes, sorry, 6:30 pm. It is a state park, but it's Indianapolis. The only animals I have ever seen are geese and deer, and I've only actually seen deer once while on trails.
My headphones do let ambient sound in.
There's another park that I go to where this wouldn't be a question, but it's just a little out of the way. I think I'll stick with that.
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I was looking for an excuse not to exercise, which isn't good either!
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jun 1, 2015 17:11:37 GMT
I wouldn't do trails alone with or without headphones, but I'd do it with my dog...without headphones. Of course, there have been women murdered on trails and their dogs are found wandering. I watch too much Dateline
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Post by blondiec47 on Jun 1, 2015 17:21:07 GMT
I am always amazed at the number of people that I see walking with both ear buds in. Even when walking on a busy street, it is never good to be totally in your own world. Heck look at that kid that was shot because he did not hear the police.
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caro
Drama Llama
Refupea 1130
Posts: 5,222
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Post by caro on Jun 1, 2015 17:56:39 GMT
I walk all the time but no earbuds/headphones. I like to hear what is around me, people, nature etc. I just like the sounds of nature.
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,913
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Jun 1, 2015 18:12:21 GMT
It depends on the park and trails.
Some state parks are very busy and some remote. Some the worst pests are Mosquitos and other parks I'd have to watch for bear and moose.
When I run on trails or where it's quiet, I usually just listen to the music without headphones. If I have both in, it's usually pretty low.
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Post by Bitchy Rich on Jun 1, 2015 18:25:59 GMT
I run alone on a trail mostly through the woods. I wear both headphones and I've honestly never worried or even thought about being concerned about safety. There are some days when there are lots of other people out there and then there are mornings like today where I didn't see another soul for 5 miles. Then you need to watch more Law and Order: SVU so you can be freaked out with the rest of us. |
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Post by melanell on Jun 2, 2015 3:00:46 GMT
The trails here are so popular that you have to really work at it to ever be out on them completely alone. I see people with headphones on all of the time. And I have worn them as well.
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Post by polz on Jun 2, 2015 3:06:06 GMT
I live in the 'Disneyland of Mountainbiking'. I've been out running at 6am and had lots of people sharing the trails. It's busy. I like to have my music going. I have both earplugs in. Just because I like my music doesn't mean everyone else does. It's a pet peeve of mine to have to listen to someone else's crappy music out loud.
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Post by Charlotte on Jun 2, 2015 3:08:47 GMT
There is a subdivision on the other side of my neighborhood that has a walking trail. I walk that all the time, alone and with headphones. I am usually listening to audiobooks at a normal level. I will say that the subdivision does NOT do regular maintenance in this park and when the weeds get so tall that I can't see my car from all areas of the park I stop going until it does get mowed.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 2, 2015 3:15:25 GMT
I walk our local trails w/ my dogs, sometimes when it's pitch dark.
I never wear headphones. I enjoy my quiet time. I also worry about being hit by a bicyclist or jogger who comes up behind me. They usually yell "on your left" and I always make sure the dogs and I give them plenty of room to pass. I'm afraid I wouldn't hear them w/ headphones on and might inadvertently step into their path just as they were passing.
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