HEATHER, athlete and personal trainer: First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the families of the two rape victims in Fairmount Park. I implore the police to spare no expense with regard to time, resources and personnel to bring this rapist and now murderer to justice.

As for my response to this week's question, I want to reiterate to women of all ages, sizes, and levels of strength that there are NO good reasons to exercise alone, especially when doing so outdoors.

Always exercise with a partner. Working out with a partner not only significantly cuts down the chances of an attack of any kind, but also assists with other safety issues as well. In addition to soliciting a workout companion, I also recommend carrying a cell phone to contact emergency personnel whether you need assistance for a safety or a health-related issue.

While exercise is a phenomenal health builder, stress reliever, and overall life-enhancing activity, please don't forget that your personal safety is your number one priority. Take proactive steps to protect yourself in any environment.

BARBARA, arts, educational & cultural consultant: The recent incidents that occurred to female runners are very unsettling to us all. They are also grim reminders that safety and outdoor exercise are inseparable. The Internet has many sites that provide tips we could all heed. Try the Apples for Health site.

Here are some tips from that Web site:

1) Tell someone where you are going.

2) Know where telephones are along the jogging grounds.

3) Don't wear jewelry or take cash.

4) Wear reflective gear or bright colors.

5) Carry some form of protection like pepper spray.

You don't have to give up your outdoor workouts, but please take precautions and use common sense.

ELLEN, journalist and anti-athlete: My strategy for safe exercise is cowardly. I choose to exercise indoors.

While my girlfriends have some good advice, short of convincing a very large person to run with me, I would not exercise outdoors. I have been jumped twice, and I can attest that you don't have time to dial a cell phone and screaming doesn't help. Pepper spray can be used against you. Only instinct and the grace of God can help you survive. I just won't take that chance again.

Is my solution a good one? No.

It peeves me to no end that women cannot feel safe in our treasured Fairmount Park in the wake of the murder of one woman and the rape of another. The young people of this city are its future and it is essential that the community take every step available to make our parks friendly and safe.

So my answer is not a personal strategy but a community one. If you and others who care about women and care about Philadelphia are not doing something proactive right now about the safety of women in the city, then you are part of the problem.

Focusing on taking care of yourself is a courageous strategy. Here are several others: