As the weather has warmed, I’ve started noticing more people out running and walking for exercise. While staying in shape is a good way to ensure a long healthy life, I can’t help but notice how many are committing, at least to my way of thinking, a major awareness sin.

What I’m talking about is the number of runners I notice trotting along the road listening to music via earphones. Now, I’m well aware that music can help some people power through their workouts, I can’t help but wonder how they are paying attention to their surroundings when they are rocking out with no idea of what is coming up from behind.

This could be as simple as a bicycle, which could crash into them, all the way up to an assailant with bad intentions. How can a person be focused on safety, be it road safety to self-defense, if that person can’t hear what is happening around them? This is especially frustrating to me when I see young, pretty women doing this in my area, when I know that there have been some attacks nearby. In fact, just this week, the police caught the man known as the East Coast Rapist, who attacked several Virginia women.

This is a subject that should be broached with everyone who likes to exercise outdoors. Be sure to talk to your loved ones about staying aware at all times, and get them to leave the music at home.