Pepper spray is really iffy if the wind is blowing back in your face. I carry OC-10 in my front-right pocket of my shorts/pants. Once I got assaulted and forgot I had the spray. Seriously. Totally forgot about it and I been carrying that stuff every day for 10 years! I guess because I hoped I could lessen the tension, not add to it by pointing pepper spray at the guy. It worked out OK though luckily - I think he expected me to cower and it freaked him out a bit that I stood my ground (single attacker).

If I am ever assailed by a group, we are all going to be rubbing dirt in our eyes I guess. I WILL release a cloud of spray, while yelling for help, and trying to run away if I can.

The OP did the right thing - run away. Might have saved him a punch or two if he had yelled "HELP" after the first blow took him down. Who knows.