I run every morning long before the sun comes up, or late at night long after it has gone down. I run with four essentials in the FlipBelt around my waist: a key to the house, my cell phone, my headphone case, and my pepper spray.

Usually on those early runs it is just me on the path under the stars. My runs are meditative, grounding, and clarifying. They clear my head. They settle my body. They give me space to think.

But they are far from peaceful.

I am constantly looking over my shoulder. I listen for footsteps. I notice cars that slow down and people who come too close. I am hyperaware of every shadow, movement, and sound. I am always calculating the distance to the next light or public space, and how quickly I would need to run there if I had to get away. My hands are clenched in fists and my senses are always on high alert. My headphones never go in my ears until the sun comes up.

All that for a simple run.

Every woman I know lives like this.

We are taught from the beginning how to move through the world. Be careful. Be smart. Do not walk alone. Text when you get home. Hold your keys in your hand. Take a self defense course. Do not walk in the dark. Carry pepper spray. Do not leave your drink unattended. Stay alert. Stay sharp. Stay alive.

We have literal codes in........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)