Does anyone else have a problem going for a run in their neighborhood in burke? Half the time (and it doesn't matter what day or time), I get some kind of harassment.. including people I don't know running right next to me and trying to talk to me, or following me, as well as cars that will speed up and swerve over, only to SLAM on their brakes right in front of me before speeding away. I am almost always surprised with how young the offenders are... high school usually. damn kids.

It's probably because you're very attractive. Try getting a treadmill indoors and you'll solve your problem. Also... pics of yourself would help.

I'm a runner in Burke and never have had a problem. I have nearly been hit by a car crossing Burke Center Parkway (car actually sped up when they saw me), but that was the only time. Where are you running?

I run mostly inside the Oaks and Ponds neighborhoods. I try to go before it gets dark, but that's harder now that it gets dark so early. I do my best to stick to well light streets and places where I know other people are out and about.

Carry a weapon (handgun, pepper spray, etc) and maintain awareness of your surroundings. This works really well: http://www.amazon.com/Sabre-Pepper-Jogger-Defense-Marking/dp/B000ALIREU
If you find yourself in some potential trouble, head directly for the most populated & well-lit area you can find nearby. Don't give anyone the impression you're easy prey.
Also, call the cops (FFX Co. Non-Emergency 703-691-2131) after such incidents with all the relevant details (descriptions, license plate #, time, location, etc). I've found that cops around here are very responsive (what else do they have to do really?).
Carry on, keep running, stay alert and you'll be OK.

thanks for the link BurkeRes. That's a smart idea for sure.

a little off topic, but my neighbors yesterday told me that they had someone steal their purse from their car. She had left it unlocked while she was inside for just a minute or two, purse on passenger seat. Its rather dark on our street now thanks to a few burned out streetlights, and someone quickly grabbed the purse, dumped it, and took her wallet.

sad that stuff like that happens in our neighborhood.

Megan Wrote:
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> I run mostly inside the Oaks and Ponds
> neighborhoods. I try to go before it gets dark,
> but that's harder now that it gets dark so early.
> I do my best to stick to well light streets and
> places where I know other people are out and
> about.

Go around Lake Barton. It is open so not as many places for creeps to hide and no cars to dodge. Someone told me it was a full mile around but I dont know for sure.

I run with runner's mace, like what BurkeRes posted, when I know I'm heading into non-residential areas (i.e. down 123 in Fairfax Station or around Lake Royal). If nothing else, it is a good deterrent.

I live on Lake Barton, and I walk my dog around there all the time. I've never encountered anything or anyone threatening except for a snake. It is not a mile around, though. It is about 0.85 according my GPS.

Lake Barton is .75 miles around if you stay on the path. I used to run there daily when I lived over in the Oaks. If your gonna carry a handgun, make sure you get a concealed carry permit.

Could be .85 miles, I would guess that gps is more accurate than the pedometer that I used to measure it, this was back in the mid 90s.

How about the length around Burke Lake is you start at the Marina and stay on the fitness path? The sign reads 4.5 miles I think.

I like Lake Barton too for jogging - it's usually pretty well populated and open, so I feel safe there. I used MapMyRun.com to calculate it around .8 miles.

Too bad they dredged the lake and removed the large downed tree, now the turtles have nowhere to sun themselves.

Do you know how far it is around Royal Lake?

"my neighbors yesterday told me that they had someone steal their purse from their car"

Your neighbors share a purse? Are they lesbians or is the guy just a giant fruit cake?