I've had my fair share of close calls too. One thing that's worked for me is to research the area beforehand and look for popular running routes or trails. I also try to stick to well-lit and populated areas, especially if I'm running early in the morning or at night. And yeah, trusting your instincts is key. If a route feels off, it's better to err on the side of caution.
I've found that a 2-week taper with a 20-25% mileage reduction each week works best for me. I also cut back on intensity, swapping hard workouts for easy runs. It's all about listening to your body and not stressing about lost fitness. You've put in the work, trust the process.