Safety and reassurance?

[Ian5K]

Got news that Strava is allowing its Beacon service to be used free from now on (was subscriber only). This might be useful for solo runners as the nights draw in. I haven’t used it but I understand it sends a message to a selected contact showing your location live! It’s encrypted for security as well. It can send a message at timed intervals.

It’s activated in the same menu as the audio cues, only accessed after clicking “record run” but before “starting run”, I think. Once set, it should remain set. (But as I say, I haven’t tried it so I could be mistaken).

It’s funny because last month out running, I was surprised to see my wife dashing towards me in our car. I’d forgotten she’d asked me where I was running and how far. I had said I was only going for 5k but I was feeling so good while running it, I thought I’d just carry on to 10k. After the hour mark had been and gone, she thought I’d ended up as roadkill. In the dog house for the rest of that day. 😳

[damienair Administrator]

Well a good way to look at that is your wife loves you and couldn’t be without you. I think I could have done a very slow marathon before I’d be flagged as being missing. 🤣I like Strava but I only upload my run afterwards. I am lucky to be able to run in a pretty secure route which has good street lighting and is pretty busy. But this is a great move from Strava, and a great safety feature.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

She’d have me ankle tagged, like a criminal on probation. 😁

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Oh dear, your poor wife. Such a shock. Great news from Strava. I’ve tried it before with garmin to varying degree of success. Happy running 🤗

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

She worries too much - but only sometimes, Grannyhugs.

I think it’ll be good for those who run in dodgy areas in the dark. Statistically not likely to be in danger but it’s the thought of it.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

It’s the thought of accident that makes me run with phone strapped to arm with ICE details 😂

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate10]

Useful info especially with the nights drawing in. Thanks

[Cmoi Graduate10]

Thanks for mentioning this Ian5K .

[nowster Graduate10]

In addition, if you don't have Strava, but do have a smartphone, you can share your live location using Google Maps.

Recent versions of Android also have a Safety app where you can set a time after which your location is sent to nominated contacts automatically.

I have my ICE contact numbers displayed on the lock screen of my phone. On a long run I'll also tuck my small parkrun barcode card (with ICE details) in one of the mesh pockets in my shorts, where it might be seen.

(ICE = In Case of Emergency)

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Yes, it’s a good idea. I carry my card too. I don’t know how, or if, the emergency services can access details but I think it includes medical conditions - at least we’re asked for any when applying for the barcode card.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That is a very useful thing to have especially for solo runners

[CBDB Graduate10]

🤣🤣🤣 oops! Yes, I have the habit of telling my hubby which route I’m running every time, but recently it has started to happen that I go earlier and he is still asleep! 😳😳😱 (this is very unusual in our household!) 🤣

I wonder if Runkeeper has a similar function, or doesn’t Apple do that anyway?

Must look into it, so big thanks!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I leave a note if it happens that I go out before my husband is awake. Used to happen a lot, less so these days, I sleep a lot now, used to get 4 - 6 hours, these days it's never less than eight. (Unless I'm nervous about a long run!)

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Yes the tech must be available on several apps but I’d check the security of them too. We don’t want to inform the world where we are at any given time. 🙂

Strava has a social media aspect to it which I’m wary of. You can be “followed” by a stranger, you don’t know who they are. They get to know your running routine, when you’re out of the house for half an hour etc.

I noticed some users have follower numbers in the hundreds! They can’t all be really close friends, surely. Maybe I’m just billy nomates. 😁

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

Yeah, I think Strava and me don’t get along, as I like my privacy also in running. So although there are lovely people on Strava I haven’t even run in a public race yet (or Parkrun) so outing myself with stats on Strava was a bit too much for me. 😂🤣

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

No I’m with you on privacy Ian. I use Strava but don’t allow anyone else to see my runs.

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

I let my friends see my activities, but not everyone. You can refuse followers that you don't know. You can also hide specific addresses or the start and end of your activities. When I ride with a friend and we end at my house, I ask them to hide it too. I don't want people to know it's a house that might have nice bikes.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

My wife has just been followed by someone in Oklahoma! I will tell her she can block it. Thanks.

I think a lot of it is the innocent game of social media where people just collect followers, kudos and likes. They just want to feel loved.