I had pumpkin oats again this morning. I used to be a cereal addict every day, but now I’ve found something comforting in the routine of making oats on the stove top. Especially pumpkin oats. There’s something about the spicy, warm, comforting pumpkin oats just can’t be beat.
Actually this particular batch of oats could be beat. It needed a spoonful of raw almond butter stirred in! Unfortunately that wasn’t possible after the demise of AB yesterday. I tried to distract myself from my AB sorrows with a few chocolate chips on top. Would you believe that this chocoholic wanted nothing to do with them this morning? All I could think was “get this chocolate off of my oats”. Who am I??
Well, at the moment I’m someone who wants to share a little safety-trick with you guys. In light of the tragic death of a local runner, I was thinking of all the ways I keep myself safe on my run last night. There’s one safety trick that I learned years ago that I actually learned from my and Megan’s R.A., Kellie, our freshman year.
By placing a key (car keys are usually the longest and strongest) in between your fingers, the punch you may have to swing at a predator instantly becomes more advantageous to you.
Let’s face it – as females, if we do encounter someone who is a predator they will usually be larger and stronger than us. By using this simple trick, your fist becomes a weapon. (Also to note – I usually hold the keys in my right hand, as it’s my writing hand and what I imagine is my stronger punching arm. However it’s my stronger photography arm, too, so I photographed my left). 
Sometimes I also will insert multiple keys between my fingers.
It’s when I did this last night that I looked at my hand and realized I looked like Wolverine. Although let’s be honest – if Mr. Hugh Jackman was following me around as his Wolverine self, I wouldn’t have any need for my keys.
I’ve used this when running, when walking across a parking lot in the dark or if I notice a creeper getting too close. This used to make me feel so much safer when I’d walk across campus late at night at UCF. And I know a lot of you like to just tie your house key to your sneaker when you run, but if you’re running in the dark or in any isolated areas, I personally feel the extra safety “weapon” of your keys far outweighs the “inconvenience” of carrying your keys.
Your thoughts? Have you ever tried this? And don’t forget…
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What a great tip! I used to carry my cell phone in my hand with 911 already dialed in when I would be walking to my car from night classes. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
HAHAHAHA! So awesome about the She-Wolverine. This is a trick I use as well when walking in dark parking lots or things like that. Punching someone in the eye with a pointy key would hopefully give you time to get away/get help.
Stay safe everyone!!!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
I think it’s a great idea in theory, but I’m afraid the keys would slip between your fingers one way or the other, instead of going directly into your opponent.
Of course, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry, but maybe add some other self-defense training just in case those keys get thrown across the parking lot or something. Okay, I’m starting to scare myself with this scenario!
Hmm, I suppose the keys could slip between your fingers. Whenever I try it though (not that I’ve used it in an emergency though), I keep my other “short” keys (like house keys, mail keys and such) and my D-clip that my keys are on underneath in my fist. That (for me) keeps the keys from sliding back into my hand. Does that make sense? The keys always seem pretty darn firm in my first!
And of course women (and everyone!) should always be prepared and arm themselves with any tips and self-defense training they can get! Which is exactly why I passed on a tip that was once shared with me.
Thanks for the comment (and don’t scare yourself!)
Great tip! I usually do that when I’m walking through parking lots, especially at night.
I usually do this too! I think my mom told me about it.
I always do that in a dark parking lot or garage at night when I am alone. It always makes me feel so much better, like I am prepared
That’s a very good idea, actually. I’m not a runner but it’s always helpful knowing these things and being prepared, just in case.
Great tip! Your oatmeal is lovely this morning.
I do the same thing with my keys!
your pumpkin oats look soo good
i do that as well, with my keys. my sister showed me that trick.
Great tip, besides while carrying keys is inconvenient it’s a whole lot better then when that key slips off your sneakers and you lose it (this happened to a friend of mine and it took her 45 mins to find the key – luckily she was running around the lake at a park soe asy to retrace her steps and no cars to contend with).
This is why I never tie my key to my shoes – I am always nervous that unless I’m holding onto it (or it’s in a secure pocket) I’ll probably lose it!
I had pumpkin oatmeal as well! So good!
I do this as well and I also carry pepper spray on my key ring. When my husband and I were dating, I was walking to the train in the evening from my college classes, so he really wanted me to have it. He even made me practice with a fake liquid pepper spray (it came with an empty canister) on him!!
Great tip Linsdey! I think I mentioned this last night, but I also purchased a hand held size of mace that I carry with me on every run. It attaches to my keys so I am double guared. I will definitely use the key trick as well!
i learned this in the beg of college too. it’s good to know how to protect yourself in bad situations. I would love to take a self defense class someday.
I see the comments are a little old… but I’ll still add my comment….. Another tip is to get an old or expired credit card…. and sharpen one of the long edges. This can be kept in your wallet/purse and will never get pulled up on any body check… You have to figure out how to hold it. (basically as if you were going to throw it to skim it across water).
It then becomes almost a knife…. with that and the keys I think any predator will be thinking twice…
There is a good way to act if someone has your hair in their fist…. take both your hands and lock them together… and then pull down on top of the hand that is pulling your hair (I think this only works if their fist is close to your head) with all your strength. At the same time bend down and if they are in front of you they will fall to their knees… you may even break their wrists…. or at least hurt them…. enough to get free…