Training or Racing
If you are meeting up with a new person or a new group, chat to them beforehand. Have a thorough look around their social media profiles to get to know them before meeting up in person. If something does not feel right, call them and speak to them in person. If your instinct still does not feel right, cancel the meet up and join another person or group. 

Meet in Public
Avoid meeting at anyone’s home or a private and quiet location. Keep it public and consider bringing a friend to begin with if you are meeting a new person (s).

Routes
We understand that some areas can be secluded. So, agree the route in advance and avoid secluded areas. Chat beforehand, agree the area and then stick to it. 

Friends & Family
Tell a friend or family member of your plans, who you’re meeting, when and where you’re going to and how long it is expected to last. Have your mobile phone charged and with you.

Protect Your Account
Be sure to pick a strong password, and always be careful when logging into your account from a public or shared computer. AllBlazing will never send you an email asking for your username and password information — if you receive an email asking for account information, report it immediately. 

Protect Your Personal Information
Never share personal information such as address and work details, your daily routine (for example, that you have rocking climbing lessons every Tuesday) with runners you do not know. If you are a parent, limit the information that you share about your children and avoid sharing details such as their ages or genders, nursery and school details, and their names. 

Online Safety
Do not share any of your information that could be used to access your financial accounts. Contact us if another user asks you for money. Never send money. 

• Harassment, threats, and offensive messages
• Inappropriate or harmful behaviour during or after a run
• Money or donation requests
• Underage users 
• Fraudulent profiles
• Spam or solicitation (trying to sell products or services)

Training & Racing
Although running is one of the best ways to keep fit, it can be tough on the body. We want you to enjoy your training and racing and remain injury free. So, we have a few tips to get you started. 

Easy Training Runs
If you are meeting with another runner or group for the first time, avoid deep stretches and any kind of speed work before you are warmed up. Whilst running, you should be able to maintain the conversation, and not just with “yes” or “no” answers. If you are struggling to hold a conversation at that group’s pace, consider switching groups. Use this measure as a benchmark. 

Racing
If you are meeting up for a race, then allow sufficient time to fully warm up your body before the race. If you have a 5k race, for example, consider the following: 

1. Easy warm up run to get the blood flowing and the body primed (5-10 minutes). 
2. Dynamic drills especially focusing on the quads, glutes and hamstrings.
3. An up-tempo run (5-10mins)
4. Strides (4x30” at 5k pace and then 3x15” faster than race pace) 

Allow plenty of time to complete the above warm up before starting the race. If you are unable to warm up before the race, then rearrange it -- don’t risk the possibility of picking up an injury which could potentially have an impact on you for the rest of your life. 

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