| Author |
Messages |
|
Tara Staley
Posts:3
 |
| 1/20/2008 9:09 AM |
 Alert
|
Hi, I started running last year when my local YMCA offered a beginners class. I "graduated" before Christmas and hope to complete (read: "not win") my first 5K sometime this spring. Very stoked. Anyway, the treadmill gets a bit boring, and my neighborhood is too hilly for novice legs :crazy:. I checked out Salem Lake from the Linville Road access and thought it would be a great course, but wondered about safety.
Most people I saw that day were accompanied by a friend. Or a dog. I felt uneasy being by myself, so I left.
So my Q is--is it safe for someone (esp woman) to jog around the lake during daylight hours solo? I've lived in the area all my life and have never heard of any bad incidents, but there's always a first time.
Thanks for any and all opinions.
Tara |
|
Hebrews 12:1 |
|
|
Jeff Sides
Posts:1
|
| 1/20/2008 2:55 PM |
Alert
|
Quote:"Most people I saw that day were accompanied by a friend. Or a dog. I felt uneasy being by myself, so I left."
I will probably get some disagreement here, but I'd say your instincts are right. I have been running at the lake for years and being a man I feel fairly comfortable most of the time, but I'm still trying to be aware of my surroundings. I had an incident once when a teenage gang was on the trail on the Linville Road side. Nothing happened, but the place is so secluded it lends itself to crime. If I were a woman I wouldn't run it alone especially on week days.
This brings up another problem that is worse. I coach Tri City Relays XC in the fall at Hanes
Park. We had a gang problem there after dark last fall. I would caution everyone to be careful running there after dark. There are gangs (kids) in the area that have gang initiations that include robbery. Reynolds High School is making sure they get their athletes in before dark.
|
|
|
|
|
Tara Staley
Posts:3
|
| 1/22/2008 9:48 AM |
Alert
|
Thanks, Jeff. That's the initial impression I got. The scenery was beautiful, but if I run outside, looks like I'll stick to the 4th of July park or somewhere that's more open. If anyone has other ideas around K'ville, pls let me know.
BTW, I believe Twin City Track Club was the sponsoring organization for the Outrun Autism Race coordinated by Lisa Dunlap. I sent her an email saying "thanks" for doing something to generate awareness of this condition (I call it 'curse'), and I want to tell TCTC "thanks" as well. My oldest son is autistic, and although I wasn't in shape enough at the time to participate in the race, I am definitely ready now and look forward to it this year.
Thanks again.
Tara |
|
Hebrews 12:1 |
|
|
Angela Linville
Posts:6
|
| 1/22/2008 12:33 PM |
Alert
|
Tara,
I've been running around Salem Lake for over 10 years without incident. However, I rarely run there alone. The times that I have run alone are on Saturday or Sunday mornings, when the trail is FULL of runners, walkers, and bikers. There's always someone coming or going. But, like most secluded places, it can have risks. I would suggest you find someone to go out there and run with you or ride a bike next to you as you run. It IS a beautiful place to run so I really hope you can work it out. You are ALWAYS welcome to join my bunch (but we're mostly from the Winston side of the lake). Let me know if you'd like me to add you to my running email list and I'll GLADLY do it. |
|
|
|
|
Tara Staley
Posts:3
|
| 1/24/2008 2:07 PM |
Alert
|
Angela, thanks. You can add me to the email list, and if there's ever a time I can make it, I'll be there. My email is tarastaley@triad.rr.com.
(However, my pace is, on a "good" day, 11-12 minute mile. Your group may dust me LOL.)
Are there other access points to Salem Lake? The only 2 I'm aware of are the Linville Road and Main entrance access areas.
T |
|
Hebrews 12:1 |
|
|
Paul Sherman
Posts:1
|
| 3/05/2008 12:41 PM |
Alert
|
New to Triad area and will be doing training at Salem Lake from time to time.
As I'll be getting there at Dawn on weekends, is one access area more safe than others at Salem Lake?
-P |
|
|
|
|
|