(Female) Runner Safety

This episode is not our most polished or eloquent. We rambled (more than usual) and had a lot of "umms" and long pauses. We tried to find statistics to share but couldn't find a lot of relevant material. We waffled back and forth between trying to be empowering while also emphasizing that taking safety measures is important. We tried to help put things in perspective while not being dismissive or even more depressing because, "you're more likely to be attacked in regular life than while running," isn't exactly a comforting message. 

Then, a couple weeks after we recorded this episode, 34-year-old runner Alyssa Lokits, was killed on her afternoon run on a path outside of Nashville. All of our fears about how inadequate this episode exploded.

Alyssa did everything right and still this. 

Frankly, we almost didn't release this because we were worried it might even feel insensitive after what happened to Alyssa. 

But of course, here is the episode in all of its imperfection. We realized that to shy away from the topic would be giving in to the same kind of scared, resigned defeat that leads women away from running. 

So we dedicate this episode to Alyssa Lokits.

We honor her courageous, loving, and generous spirit. We are thankful for her light and her love of running. We are thankful for the way that she lifted others up and continues to inspire. And we hope that this imperfect episode continues an important conversation.

As Alyssa's sister-in-law writes, "We just can't be afraid because I know that she would not be afraid. She was fierce and strong and she would get back out there. And know it feels scary to get back out there. We have to. We have to keep moving and loving each other."