Cape Multisport Club Eden Newsletter

October 2019

October is the month for OPPORTUNITY.

Opportunities start with dreams. Big dreams, small dreams, short term dreams and longer term dreams. No, this is not about our dreams this month, but rather identifying when and how to act on a dream.

Attaining a dream relies on the opportunities we choose. The bad news is that there is no one-step-fits-all opportunity that brings suc-cess to any non-microscopic dream (careful on the negatives there). The great news is that almost any worthwhile dream can be broken down into pieces which can be addressed on smaller scales.

You may of heard the phrase "Divide and Conquer", which has seen many positive and negative variations since Eleanor Roosevelt tried to bring unity after the war. What is important though, is that it reduces the size of problems.

Whenever I look for something I start by gaining knowledge of what I am looking for. Knowledge of a situation is the best way to spot a pos-sible opportunity. Opportunities can rule out negativity, create some space or increase funds. Connect the opportunities in these groups then focus on reading the signs in an impartial manner.

Planning the ideal opportunity may take patience, time, discipline, re-search, help, money or all of the above. Knowing what we are looking for is the secret to early opportunity identification.

It is a privilege to see our club members take opportunities when they see them. In running their first marathon they made use of the knowledge and experience of others who have been successful at the distance. Others took opportunities to train with those seeking their first 42.2km medal to overcome discipline issues. Others take opportu-nities nearly every weekend to get out on the road or trails. Others took opportunities to recover and invest time in families. The point is, we found ways to work together even though we all had different op-portunities.

There are many opportunities floating around that we can just grab as they pass. As Arnold Schwarzenegger says, "Don't listen to the naysayers!". Patience is not the act of waiting for opportunities to pass you by, it is the act of waiting for the right time to grab the opportunity.

It is great to see a strong army of individuals who seize opportunities to better themselves year in and year out. As an example some of our first time marathoners might grab the opportunity do to their first ultra!

With so many great people in our club we must use that as an oppor-tunity to host on a big race the running community is hungry for!

Check out the AGM preliminaries and get nominating the right people for the right job! See you on the road and trails my friends!

In this Issue

Chairman’s Message ......... 1

Athletes in Action ............... 2

Fixtures .............................. 5

Secretary’s Message.......... 9

Birthdays .......................... 10

Time Trials ....................... 11

League Table ................... 13

Runner Interest ................ 14

Club Details ...................... 20

Page 2

Rhino Run - George - 15th September 2019

ATHLETES IN ACTION

Rhino Run

Name Chip Time Division

Hanri Cordier 39:41 5km

Jane Mouton 57:37 5km

Eugene Marais 1:22:15 15km

Beate Parsons 1:39:04 15km

Kevin Brown 1:57:42 15km

Stefan Swanepoel 2:14:57 15km

Gayle Swanepoel 2:15:00 15km

The rewards!! Gayle & Stefan Swanepoel

Kevin Brown

Jane Mouton

Kevin Brown

Hanri Cordier (334) Jane Mouton (350)

Page 3

Cape Town Marathon - 15th September 2019

ATHLETES IN ACTION

Cape Town Marathon

Name Chip Time Division

Arthur Harlow 1:06:00 10km

Gerhardt Roux 3:47:59 42.2km

Werner Botha 4:05:04 42.2km

Yolandi van der Berg 4:10:15 42.2km

Berno Stander 4:33:26 42.2km

Adéle Vorster 4:56:03 42.2km

Ilse Schoeman 5:04:18 42.2km

Chantel van den Heever 5:19:07 42.2km

Clayton Thorpe 5:53:27 42.2km

RUN with the STARS 13th September 2019

Run with the Stars

Name Chip Time Division

Ricardo Cornelius 35:15 10km

Eugene Marais 43:48 10km

Ruby Holdsworth 51:39 10km

Joenie Conradie 51:40 10km

Robbie Joubert 56:08 10km

Kevin Brown 1:00:58 10km

Gayle Swanepoel 1:08:08 10km

Arthur Harlow 1:13:40 10km

Evette Joubert 1:14:17 10km

Jane Mouton 1:17:24 10km

Clayton Thorpe going strong at 25km Adéle Vorster

Clayton Thorpe Yolandi van der Berg - First Marathon!! Clayton Thorpe, Gayle Swanepoel & Friend

Strawberry Farm Trail Run

Name Chip Time Division

Eugene Marais 39:10 9km

Joenie Conradie 45:44 9km

Ezbé van Aardt 50:19 9km

Margaret von Zeil 51:49 9km

Robbie Joubert 53:53 9km

Marelize Claasen 1:05:13 9km

Marié Brown 1:08:09 9km

Evette Joubert 1:16:33 9km

Strawberry farm Tail Run - 21st September 2019

Page 4

ATHLETES IN ACTION

Mountain of the Stars

Name Chip Time Division

Kevin Brown 29:45 6km Trail Run

Marié Brown 37:08 6km Trail Run

Ariadne van Zandbergen * 2nd

Lady 1:23:33 12km Trail Run

Joenie Conradie *3rd

Lady 1:25:31 12km Trail Run

Hanri Cordier 1:50:18 12km Trail Run

Gayle Swanepoel 2:03:20 12km Trail Run

Stefan Swanepoel 2:03:20 12km Trail Run

Eugene Marais 2:11:04 21.1km Trail Run

Liz Bazin *3rd

Lady 2:36:42 21.1km Trail Run

Liesl Barnard 3:03:35 21.1km Trail Run

Mountain of the Stars Trail Run - 24th September 2019

Neil Harlow - 6km Race Sweep

Marié & Kevin Brown Liz Bazin Ariadne van Zandbergen Joenie Conradie

Robberg Express Trail Run - 29th September 2019

Robberg Express Trail Run

Name Chip Time Division

Eugene Marais 1:15:37 10km Trail Run

Baleia Wines – MTB & Trail Run Challenge - 28th September 2019

Baleia Wines MTB & Trail Run Challenge

Name Chip Time Division

Eugene Marais 1:08:58 15km Trail Run

Rooiberg Dorsland MTB Challenge - 28th September 2019

Roooiberg Dorsland MTB Challenge

Name Chip Time Division

Joenie Conradie 2:18:56 35km MTB

Eugene Marais - does it again -

2nd place 15km trail run!

Joenie Conradie - on the podium again

- 2nd Rooiberg Dorsland MTB 35km!

Eugene Marais - having fun on a

cold and wet Robberg Trail!

Page 5

05 OCTOBER 2019 12 OCTOBER 2019

NAGUIL DASSIE TRAIL RUN

12 OCTOBER 2019 19 OCTOBER 2019

TOUR de PLETT MTB HARTENBOS SPAR SPRING RUN

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Page 6

UPCOMING FIXTURES 19 to 20 OCTOBER 2019 23 OCTOBER 2019

TRAIL GIRL PKF BUSINESS RELAY

26 OCTOBER 2019 26 OCTOBER 2019

LOERIE MTB & TRAIL RUN CHALLENGE THE FARM RUN

Page 7

UPCOMING FIXTURES 2 NOVEMBER 2019 2 NOVEMBER 2019

TSITSIKAMMA MTB & TRAIL RUN MADIBAZ GEORGE HALF MARATHON

23 NOVEMBER 2019 23 NOVEMBER 2019

VLAKTE KNYSNA EXTREME TRIATHLON

www.knysnaxtreme.co.za

Page 8

UPCOMING FIXTURES

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2019 ASWD Fixture list

Date Day Event Time Start Venue Organized by

October

05-Oct Sat Die naguil 3km and 10km 09:00 Rainbow Motors- Oudtshoorn Nedbank RC

05-Oct Sat Development 1 TBC Mosselbay Track & Field

12-Oct Sat ASA National General Meeting TBC Garden Court Airport ASA

12-Oct Sat Meiringspoort 12.5km 07:00 Meiringspoort-De Rust De Rust Striders

12-Oct Sat Meiringspoort 21.1km 07:15 Meiringspoort-De Rust De Rust Striders

14-31 Oct TBC All Africa Games TBC Casablanca,Morocco

16-Oct Wed Coastline Athletics 2 Hour TF Meeting TBC Olympia School - Pacaltsdorp Coastline Athletics

19-Oct Sat Race Walking Inter Provincial including 50km Champs TBC WPA

19-Oct Sat Hartenbos Spar 4km Fun Run and 15km Spring Run 07:00 Hartenbos Library Hartenbos Drawwers

23-Oct Wed Grant Thornton Business Relay 2km 18:00 Cotzee Pharmacy George Nedbank RC

26-Oct Sat National Admin Workshop Garden Court Airport ASA

26-Oct Sat The Farm run 10km and 21.1km 08:00 Four Brothers Patato Shed Blanco-Georg Nedbank RC

26-Oct Sat SWD Invitational Athletics TBC De Jager Spots Centre-Oudtshoorn SWD Masters Athletics

26-Oct Sat SWD Masters & Talent ID Championships 07:00 De Jager Spots Centre SWD Masters

November

03-Nov Sun Old Mutual Soweto Marathon Soweto

06-Nov Wed Spur to Spur 10km 18:00 Timber Wolf Spur( Garden Route Mall) Outeniqua Harriers

08-Nov Fri Athletes Representatives Workshop TBC Garden Court Airport ASA

09-Nov Sat National Excellence Workshop TBC Garden Court Airport ASA

09-Nov Sat ASWD Track and Field 2020 League 1 TBC George Track & Field

13-Nov Wed ASWD Chairpersons Meeting 18:00 TBC Athletics SWD

16-Nov Sat Knysna Watefront 5km.10km,21.1km 07:00 Knysna Waterfront Knysna Marathon Club

23-Nov Nov ASWD Track and Field 2020 League 2 TBC Beaufort West Track & Field

23-Nov Sat Vlakte Marathon 10.4km,21.1km,42,2km(ASWD Trial 1) 05:00 Heidelberg High Langeberg AC

29-Nov Fri ASWD Annual Awards TBC TBC ASWD

29 - 30 NOVEMBER 2019 04 DECEMBER 2019

OBSTACLE COURSE & NIGHT TRAIL RUN LOVE LIFE RUN

Page 9

We are busy with the AGM packs and will send them out on the 9th of October 2019. Please read through it

carefully, it will contain the proposed changes, a nomination form for the committee and a proxy form for voting

if you cannot attend the AGM. The nomination forms and proxy forms must be returned to the secretary at the

latest 1st November 2019.

I will also send out invitations to the Year end Function on the 9th October 2019 and payment must be made by

1st November 2019 as well if you want to attend. All the details will be on the invitations.

We hope that all will attend the function and AGM, this is yet another opportunity for you to make a valua-

ble contribution to the club.

Stay well and cool runnings!

Debbie writes...

FROM THE PEN OF THE SECRETARY

Page 10

More from your Secretary...

BIRTHDAYS

The following runners celebrated/will be celebrating birthdays in October and November, a warm wish to you all, may your feet be fleet and your lungs the size of scuba tanks

Ilse Schoeman 18th October

Jane Mouton 5th November

Marietjie Joubert 18th November

Yolandi van der Berg 24th November

Page 11

TIME TRIALS

Reebok Results Wilderness Results

Name 11-Sep

Ruby Holdsworth 25:19

Gerhardus Du Toit 27:08

Robbie Joubert 27:50

Francois Steenkamp 28:50

Salmon Gerber 28:50

Anabella 31:45

Ebenette van Niekerk 35:50

Lutherus Van Niekerk 36:09

Arthur Harlow 36:17

Name 18-Sep

Chris Leggatt 25:46

Cliff Wallace 26:27

Jason Botha 26:47

Robbie Joubert 27:51

Kevin Brown 28:21

Abrie 29:54

Margaret von Zeil 35:00

Tammy 35:00

Name 25-Sep

Jaco Steenkamp 23:50

Chris Leggatt 24:56

Cliff Wallace 25:25

Ruby Holdsworth 25:25

Jason Botha 25:36

Abrie 28:35

Robbie Joubert 28:44

Salmon Gerber 29:46

Ebenette van Niekerk 30:38

Gerhardus Du Toit 30:54

Henriette Van Niekerk 30:54

Name 11-Sep 3km 5km

Joffrey Pienaar 15:30

Magda Opperman 15:58

Marietjie Joubert 18:04

Andrew Thorpe 23:23

Dirk Joubert 24:38

Chantel van den Heever 32:17

Rita Hendrikse 33:52

Clayton Thorpe 38:51

Name 18-Sep 3km 5km

Joffrey Pienaar 15:34

Clayton Thorpe 22:52

Dirk Joubert 25:03

Rita Hendrikse 33:41

Name 25-Sep 3km 5km

Magda Opperman 16:08

Marietjie Joubert 18:30

Andrew Thorpe 22:55

Dirk Joubert 24:14

Rita Hendrikse 33:08

Chantel van den Heever 33:38

Clayton Thorpe 36:18

Page 12

Competition Stats as at 25th September 2019

TIME TRIALS

Most 5KM (since 2016) Most 5KM (2019) Fastest Male 5KM Competition Champion

Name Number Name Number Name Time Name Points

Robbie Joubert 114 Robbie Joubert 32 Ricardo Cornelius 16:45 Robbie Joubert 70

Lutherus van Niekerk 95 Francois Steenkamp 25 Marchellino Jacobs 17:37 Francois Steenkamp 64

Salmon Gerber 92 Salmon Gerber 24 Rinaldo Grootboom 18:25 Salmon Gerber 56

Arthur Harlow 89 Lutherus van Niekerk 22 Bheki Maphanga 20:15 Lutherus van Niekerk 52

Gerhardus du Toit 70 Andrew Thorpe 21 Gerhardt Roux 21:28 Cliff Wallace 44

Chris Leggatt 64 Cliff Wallace 20 Eugene Marais 22:17 Adele Vorster 42

Henriette van Niekerk 63 Gerhardus du Toit 18 Andrew Thorpe 22:58 Gerhardus du Toit 36

Philip Briggs 58 Clayton Thorpe 17 Cliff Wallace 23:27 Jane Mouton 34

Ariadne van Zandbergen 57 Jane Mouton 17 Chris Leggatt 23:54 Magrieta Brown 30

Gerhardt Roux 54 Adele Vorster 16 Philip Briggs 25:08 Arthur Harlow 28

Kevin Brown 54 Arthur Harlow 14 Gerhardus du Toit 25:17 Chris Leggatt 28

Liz Bazin 53 Chris Leggatt 14 Jaco Vorster 25:45 Ruby Holdsworth 28

Magrieta Brown 51 Magrieta Brown 14 Robbie Joubert 26:41 Henriette van Niekerk 26

Jane Mouton 50 Henriette van Niekerk 13 Kevin Brown 27:01 Kevin Brown 24

Bheki Maphanga 46 Kevin Brown 13 Francois Steenkamp 27:08 Rinaldo Grootboom 24

Rinaldo Grootboom 42 Ariadne van Zandbergen 11 Stefan Swanepoel 27:25 Ariadne van Zandbergen 22

Cliff Wallace 38 Philip Briggs 11 Salmon Gerber 27:46 Marchellino Jacobs 22

Andrew Thorpe 36 Rinaldo Grootboom 11 Lutherus van Niekerk 27:58 Philip Briggs 22

Ricardo Cornelius 34 Ruby Holdsworth 10 Arthur Harlow 29:07 Eugene Marais 20

Margaret Von Zeil 30 Gayle Swanepoel 9 Clayton Thorpe 39:16 Gayle Swanepoel 20

Yolandi van der Berg 28 Marchellino Jacobs 9 Stefan Swanepoel 20

Evette Joubert 26 Stefan Swanepoel 9 Fastest Female 5KM Ricardo Cornelius 18

Francois Steenkamp 25 Chantel van der Heever 8 Name Time Gerhardt Roux 14

Ezbe van Aardt 24 Eugene Marais 8 Ariadne van Zandbergen 23:17 Margaret Von Zeil 14

Clayton Thorpe 19 Ricardo Cornelius 8 Ruby Holdsworth 23:46 Bheki Maphanga 12

Adele Vorster 18 Gerhardt Roux 7 Yolandi van der Berg 24:03 Yolandi van der Berg 12

Erika Grotepass 18 Bheki Maphanga 6 Ezbe van Aardt 24:59 Erika Grotepass 10

Stefan Swanepoel 18 Margaret Von Zeil 6 Janine Swart 25:44 Liz Bazin 6

Gayle Swanepoel 17 Yolandi van der Berg 6 Margaret Von Zeil 25:55 Ezbe van Aardt 4

Tertius Steyn 17 Erika Grotepass 5 Adele Vorster 26:37 Andrew Thorpe 2

Marchellino Jacobs 16 Jaco Vorster 3 Liz Bazin 26:44 Clayton Thorpe 2

Sonja Steyn 13 Liz Bazin 3 Erika Grotepass 29:30

Ruby Holdsworth 10 Ezbe van Aardt 2 Magrieta Brown 29:41

Chantel van der Heever 9 Marietjie Joubert 2 Henriette van Niekerk 29:58

Eugene Marais 9 Ilse Schoeman 1 Gayle Swanepoel 31:41

Jaco Vorster 5 Janine Swart 1 Jane Mouton 34:25

Janine Swart 5 Liezl Scott 1

Debbie Campbell 3 Werner Botha 1

Marietjie Joubert 2

Ilse Schoeman 1

Liezl Scott 1

Werner Botha 1

Page 13

Top Athletes for 2019 so far

(ASWD Races & Wilderness Time Trials Only)

LEAGUE TABLE

Top Athletes per Award

Best 5km Time Trial Best 10km Race Time Best 42.2km Race Time Best 21.1km Race Time

Male Ricardo Cornelius 16:45 Ricardo Cornelius 35:15 Ricardo Cornelius 1:16:57 Bheki Maphanga 3:29:29

Female Ariadne van Zandbergen 23:17 Ariadne van Zandbergen 48:34 Yolandi van der Berg 1:47:30 Yolandi van der Berg 4:10:15

Top 5 Athletes 21.1km

Pos Male Female

1 Ricardo Cornelius 1:16:57 Yolandi van der Berg 1:47:30

2 Rinaldo Grootboom 1:23:19 Ariadne van Zandbergen 1:51:21

3 Eugene Marais 1:31:51 Liezel Snyman 1:51:51

4 Bheki Maphanga 1:33:38 Margaret von Zeil 1:55:27

5 Gerhardt Roux 1:37:42 Sonja Steyn 1:57:29

Top 5 Athletes 42.2km

Pos Male Female

1 Bheki Maphanga 3:29:29 Yolandi van der Berg 4:10:15

2 Gerhardt Roux 3:39:45 Sonja Steyn 4:13:16

3 Andrew Thorpe 3:57:19 Adéle Vorster 4:56:03

4 Werner Botha 4:05:04 Ilse Schoeman 5:04:18

5 Tertius Steyn 4:13:16 Chantel van den Heever 5:19:07

Top 5 Athletes 10km

Pos Male Female

1 Ricardo Cornelius 35:15 Ariadne van Zandbergen 48:34

2 Rinaldo Grootboom 38:19 Joenie Conradie 50:51

3 Marchellino Jacobs 38:53 Ruby Holdsworth 51:39

4 Eugene Marais 41:30 Joenie Conradie 51:40

5 Andrew Thorpe 46:36 Karen Langenhoven 53:08

Top 5 Athletes 5km

Pos Male Female

1 Ricardo Cornelius 16:45 Ariadne Van Zandbergen 23:17

2 Marchellino Jacobs 17:37 Ruby Holdsworth 23:46

3 Rinaldo Grootboom 18:25 Yolandi van der Berg 24:03

4 Bheki Maphanga 20:15 Ezbé van Aardt 24:59

5 Gerhardt Roux 21:28 Janine Swart 25:44

Top Athletes per Award

Best Two Oceans

Race Time

Best Comrades Race

Time

Time Trial

Attendance

Time Trial

Competition Most Km’s Raced

Most Races

Run

Male Gerhardt Roux 5:34:37 Cliff Wallace 10:14:32 Robbie

Joubert 33 Robbie Joubert 70

Andrew

Thorpe 466.10km

Eugene

Marais 25

Female Sonja Steyn 6:23:53 Sonja Steyn 11:40:52

Page 14

How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running

RUNNER INTEREST

Imagine yourself enjoying a run on the trails or around the neighborhood when, and out of nowhere, a hos-tile dog runs up to you at light speed with fangs barred and bad intentions.

Do you know what you should do?

If your answer is “no”, then keep on reading…

An Encounter of a Doggy Kind

As much as I love dogs - and all animals for that matter - I don’t really like being chased, or attacked, by them while running. In fact, dogs can be a runner’s worst nightmare when they go on the offense.

Attacks Are Common

Every outdoor junkie - whether it’s a runner, a biker, walker, etc. - has a story about an up-close-and-personal-encounter with a hostile dog.

And this is no news. There are plenty of stories about runners who were injured by dogs while hitting the pavement.

I recall many encounters, during my years on the streets, three of which were really scary! The first was when two Bull Terriers escaped from a garden, as their owner drove into the driveway, and charged straight at me! I was fortu-nate to be able to jump onto an electrical box whilst they ran around it unable to get hold of me until their owner called them off! The second was during an early (3am) winters’ morning Comrades training run when two Rottweilers ran up to me, unseen in the darkness, and both sniffed my hammies. I felt their cold and wet noses on my skin and basically froze! That’s probably what saved me because they lost interest and carried on doing doggy things! The most recent encounter happened a few months ago in Wilderness when a German Shepherd, who is normally in the yard, was loose on the street and looked at me as I ran past him but the next instant he had my hammie in his mouth! I instinctively lashed out at him with me right hand which ended up in his mouth too! I immediately stopped

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How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running...

RUNNER INTEREST

and turned to face him when he let go. I’m not sure whether he was being playful or not but he stopped the “attack” and, as soon as I tried to run on, he chased me again! I walked away from him, but facing him, until I was

far enough to run away without being chased. Needless to say, a PB happened on that run!

There was also the tragic story of the 63-year old woman who was mauled to death by four dogs during her morning jog in Palmdale, or Littlerock, California.

Of course, these attacks are not everyday occurrences, but it’s well worth the effort to know how to proceed in the off chance of a dangerous encounter.

The Statistics

Dog bites are a major public health concern and are responsible for approximately 1% of emergency center visits in the United States. The magnitude of the problem in South Africa is likely to be similar, it has been found that dog bites accounted for 1.5% of all trauma unit presentations at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town over a 13.5-year period.

In 2006 more than 31 000 patients required reconstructive surgery in the USA as a consequence of dog bites. The estimated direct and indirect cost of dog bites amounts to around $250 million per year in the USA.

South African and international studies have shown repeatedly that children are the highest risk group for attacks by dogs. Children younger than 7 years are more likely to be bitten in the face, neck and scalp. This is probably be-

cause their height puts them at face level with dogs. Small children may also provoke dogs by taking their toys, kiss-ing and petting them.

Severe psychological consequences are reported in children who were bitten by dogs, especially when the bites in-

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How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running...

RUNNER INTEREST

volved the head and neck areas. Deaths from severe mauling are also an unfortunate reality.

Dog breeds associated with more aggressive behavior are Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Dobermans. Several countries and states in the USA have ‘dangerous breed’ legislation that prohibits ownership of a variety of attack dogs, including Pit Bull Terriers. There is no “dangerous breed” legislation in South Africa.

About 4.7 million people get bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and out of those incidents, 1 out of 5 end up in the emergency room and require medical attention, and 17 result in death according to the American Human Association, with roughly 55 percent of all fatal dog attacks in the US committed by Pit Bulls.

Therefore, learning how to handle the situation is of utmost importance - especially if you do a lot of outdoor running in not-so-safe and/or unfamiliar areas.

How to Prevent a Dog Attack

As you already know, prevention is better than cure, so before showing you how to fend yourself off a vicious dog, it’s crucial to look at ways you can avoid such encounter completely.

Here are a few ways to help you avoid a violent clash with an angry four-legged tail-wager.

Know your Route

This should come as no surprise, but the best advice I can ever give you when it comes to avoiding dog attacks, is to be aware of your environment, period.

Here is how to increase your awareness while hitting the pavement:

• Keep your eyes on the route ahead of you. If you spot one in the distance, be sure to keep a safe distance between your and a dog - even on lead - change direction or simply cross the street.

• Avoid running in areas where there are dogs on the loose or where neglectful owners don’t provide their dogs with enough care and attention, allowing them to roam freely.

• Be aware of the possibility of dogs escaping whilst owners open their gates in order to enter or exit their prop-erties. Owners are not always able to control their dogs so do not rely on that, rather turn around or stop and wait until the dogs are back in the yard and the gates are closed.

• Run distraction free. Leave your headphones at home as doing so can help stay aware and be conscious and aware of your surroundings, especially in not-so-safe and/or unfamiliar areas

Read their Body Language

In most cases, reading the dog’s body language will tell you everything you need to know about how to pro-ceed.

So learn to recognize the warning signs of an impending attack so you can get safe while you can - with your limbs intact.

Here are some of the telltale signs you need to keep an eye on:

• Tense body with the hackles - the area between the tail and shoulders - up and ears erect.

• Loud growling

• Furrowed brows

• Drooling from the mouth

• Flicking tongue

• Backing away while growling

• Stiff tail, or held high and wagging faster than normal.

• Intense stare with eyes wide with rage

If any (or a combination) of the above is on the scene, be sure to put a safe amount of space between you and the dog.

In Case You are Chased…

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How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running...

RUNNER INTEREST

If and only if things escalate and you couldn’t avoid the attack, do the following:

Stop in Your Tracks

The first thing you need to do is to calm down, stop running, and stand still with your arms folded across your chest to not activate the dog’s prey drive - according to most dog experts, this is the best approach.

Even if every cell in your body wants to run in the other direction, you need to fight that and stand your ground. Bolt-ing in the other direction will only make things worse.

The only scenario in which you should keep on moving and running is if you know that you can get behind a barrier, such as a car, bench, or tree to separate you from the dog.

Otherwise, stand still and control your nerves.

No Eye Contact

Looking straight into the dog’s eyes can feel threatening to most dogs out there, which will only make them more aggressive and territorial.

Therefore, be sure to avert your eyes but keep the dog in your peripheral vision the entire time.

But as a rule of thumb, never turn your back to the dog as it can be interpreted as a sign of weakness.

Use the Right Commands

If the dog persists, face him and while using a deep and firm voice, command him to “back away” using a strong and confident voice.

If the owner is close by, call them. Hopefully, he/she will intervene and call off the dog.

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How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running...

RUNNER INTEREST

If You Got Attacked – How To Handle it The Right Way

If all else fails, it’s time to be on defensive mode and protect yourself.

Here is what you need to do;

Spray the Dog

Spraying an attacking dog with mace/pepper spray is one of the things you can do to stop the attack in its track.

Of course, this might sound terrible, but this option actually doesn’t hurt the dog, and will really save you a lot of trou-ble.

However, this is not a fool-proof solution. Factors like wind speed, your aim and your mental and emotional state have a say, and in some cases, you could end up making the dog more aggressive if you don ’t know how to the use pepper spray right.

Hence, I don’t think it’s the end all of all your prayers when it comes to dealing with dogs attacks - but it is still an option to consider.

Even so, if you are serious about this option, then be sure to look for dog repellent when you are scouting the market for a pepper spray. These are designed to fend off attacking dogs.

Give it Something to Chew On

If it’s possible, give the dog something to chew on. It’s better than tearing up your own flesh.

Therefore, put something between the dog’s teeth and your body. This could be a loose fitting piece of fabric, your jacket sleeves, a stick, or anything that could separate the two of you.

If the worse happens, and the dog is inches away from biting you, let it bite your shins or forearms—that is better than getting bitten in your face, throat, or any other sensible area. And do your best not to panic.

Do Not Pull Away – Fight Back

Whatever you do, do not pull away as that will only tear the skin and make things worse.

Instead, defend yourself by kicking or hitting the dog in the back of the head, nose or throat, busting its head, chok-ing it, breaking its knee, etc. If you have a heavy object or a weapon, like a stick, rock, brick, you should use it to hit the dog and keep using it until the dog retreats or loses consciousness.

Also, as you are fighting the dog, be sure to yell for help. Yell something that you know will have others attention, such as “TERRORIST!” “FIRE!”

Roll into a ball

This is the worst case scenario, so pay special attention to this, probably life-saving, advice:

If the dog takes you down, curl into a ball by tucking your knees and placing your hands behind your neck to cover your head, making sure to protect the soft tissue areas such as your face, throat, and belly.

Also, make sure to keep your hands in a fist to guard your fingers.

Post Bites Measures

If you got bitten, then the first thing you need to do when you get home is;

Press on the wound gently to cause some bleeding to help flush out as much bacteria as possible.

• Wash the wound with mild soap and water to gently cleanse it and examine it.

• Slow the bleeding with a clean cloth.

• If it’s nothing serious, treat it yourself using an over-the counter antibiotic cream.

• Wrap the wound in a sterile bandage.

• Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor.

• Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound.

• Watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, increased pain and fever.

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How to Prevent and Handle a Dog Attack While Running...

RUNNER INTEREST

• Next, keep cleaning the wound every 24 hours while looking thoroughly for any signs of infection, including increasing swelling, redness, warmth, oozing pus or drainage - these are the warning signs of infection, and you should see a doctor and get checked out if any of these symptoms arise.

Nonetheless, to err on the right side, a visit to the doctor is the right course of action if you ask me. Better be safe than sorry.

The doctor will be able to assess the injury better. In most cases, he might suggest you take antibiotics to prevent infection and receive a tetanus shot, or a series of preventative shots called rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

Report It

Yes, snitch on the dog.

Report the incident to your local police department, animal control as well to the owners, if you can find them, immediately after the attack.

Also, be sure to talk with the owner. Start with a genuine attitude. Perhaps the whole accident was a once-in-a-lifetime thing and won’t happen again. Nonetheless, if the owner is a complete a$$hole, then you MUST take things to the next level.

And in case you got hurt badly, consider taking legal action against the owners - that will teach them something. Dogs can be a danger to the community should they be neglected.

Article based on “Runners Blueprint” web site which is available here.

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