This week started out on a rough note but has progressively gotten better. Let’s see where to begin.
I debated on whether to share this or not on here. I figured since I’ve written several times on running safety, that it’s important to share.
Sunday morning around 10:30 am I headed out for my normal Sunday run. Just like most times on Sunday, I had to give myself an extra push to get out the door. I didn’t do anything different. I ran a normal out and back course that I had run many times before.
I hit mile 6 and was on the road heading back to my house. The first time the car passed me, I didn’t think anything of it. The roads I run on during the day are pretty well traveled so I figured it was another car passing. I did notice however, that the car turned around further up the road and on its way back towards me pulled over on the side of the road.
Of all the roads that I ran on that day, this was the least populated. I always pay attention when cars turn back around and the fact that they were parked on the side up ahead also set off a red flag. I immediately took my headphones out of my ears and moved further over on the side to distance myself.
As I passed, I made sure to make eye contact with the individual who ended up being male. I tried to remember basic features and kept on running. About 2 minutes later, the car passed me again and then looped back around. At that point I thought, maybe I was over reacting and they were just lost.
About 2-3 minutes later the car passed me a 3rd time. I started to get a bit nervous because he was basically making loops. As he passed me I decided to make sure to try to catch his license plate number, but as he went by I realized the car didn’t have any tags. That set off another red flag.
I tried to calm myself down and continued down the road knowing I was only about half a mile from home. I hadn’t seen him in a little bit so I figured he went on his way. Then as I turned the corner nearing my house my heart sunk. He was parked about 0.1 miles from my house. He was just sitting on the side of the road like before. I immediately picked my pace and got into the house quickly. Just as I sat down to take my shoes off I noticed he had left.
I realize that this may have been nothing, but as a female runner and with someone passing me that many times and being that close to my home it made me incredibly nervous. I spent the majority of the rest of the afternoon in my house; doors locked and alarm system on.
I realized thinking back on it I did make one big mistake. I ran into my house. I feel the better alternative would have been run to a neighbor’s house or just to have kept running past the house not to give away where I lived. However, I was so set on getting home I wasn’t thinking straight.
I did end up running 8 miles. However, it was quicker than I wanted since I sped up the last 2 miles quite a bit.
Needless to say Monday morning when my alarm went off to go outside and run at 4:00 AM I was extremely anxious. My husband was on the treadmill since it was raining doing his workout, and I never could talk myself into going out in the dark alone, so I stayed in bed.
I had planned to come home and get a small 5 mile run done on the treadmill, but when I got home Monday afteroon our power was off. Even though it came back on within the hour, I took that as a sign to just take an impromptu day off. They don’t happen often, and I’ll be honest and say it was hard for me, but it was the best decision.
I don’t want to live in fear; I don’t want to have to second guess my normal routine. Thankfully Tuesday morning I had a treadmill workout planned and this morning I got up and was able to run part with my husband outside. Knowing he was out in the same area as me really helped.
I guess my reason for sharing this story is, always be aware of your surroundings. Take note of those around you. Never zone out to the point that you don’t realize what is going on. This may have been nothing, I may have been overreacting but I do know that it made me feel very anxious.
(source)
Go with your gut. If you feel like something is off, then react. You may be wrong, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
I am currently looking into buying some pepper spray. I’ve never felt the need before, but after that I just feel it would give me some peace of mind especially in the early hours of the morning. So to the other ladies out there who have commented before that you run with pepper spray, what kind do you find is easiest to carry while running?
Hoping for a much better ending to the week!
Have you ever had a running safety scare?
Do you run with pepper spray?
Always, always trust your gut!!!! I run alone 98% of the time at a local forest preserve. Usually there are at least a few people out but this time of year I am one of about 3 crazies that run in the cold and snow!! I always carry pepper spray. I bought it at Bass Pro Shop and it has a velcro strap that goes across my knuckles and my thumb rests on the “trigger”. I think I paid $15 or $20 for it. Definitely worth it!! I am glad you are safe 🙂
Yes I can’t wait to get mine! I really think that is going to help!
Oh wow, that’s so scary! You definitely did the smart thing though. My first instinct is to always trust people, but you never know what someone’s true intentions are. My grandpa always insists that I carry pepper spray with me on every run, so I went to my local running store (I’m in Greensboro—think you said you lived there before!) and bought pepper spray that straps to my hand. I think mine was about $12. Road ID also has an app that has live tracking…and it sends anyone who you’d like to know you’re running, an e-mail or text with a link to track your run. And if you stop for more than 5 minutes, it sets off an alarm both on your phone, and sends alerts to the people on your list. I hope your next few runs are less scary!
Thanks for the RoadID tip. I wear the RoadID bracelet, but I didn’t know that they have live tracking. Sounds like it would be good for health related issues too.
I am going to have to look into the Road ID! That sounds like a wonderful feature!
I just wrote about running safety because it’s an issue that, as women, we have to be aware of. That is so scary and I’m glad you took Monday off.
Yes, I think my mind just couldn’t handle being out that early in the morning alone that close to it!
When I run longer than 3 miles I always carry pepper spray not sure why it is longer than 3 miles but after this I may carry it no matter what. I used to carry it in my hand and it was a pain but I got a flip belt for Christmas and it fits perfectly in there.
I have a flip belt! That is a great idea!
Scary!! My husband has made me realize you can never be too cautious. I always carry my phone, pepper spray and I don’t leave my neighborhood in the dark. I carry hot pink mace pepper spray that I bought at fleet feet for about $20. Be careful!!
Yes I am looking forward to getting pepper spray!
That’s so scary! Did you call the police? I wrote a post about this last fall when there was an incident of a guy grabbing a woman at the park where I do a lot of training. I don’t carry pepper spray, because if you happen to be facing the wind, when you spray it, it could come back into your face. My partner at work gave me a personal alarm for Christmas and I started carrying that. And this Sunday, I’m taking a self defense class. I’ll be writing about that. Be careful out there!
No I didn’t. I called my husband who was at work and we decided to hold off though he almost did. I turned on the alarm and sat inside for a while to see if he came back around and never did. I am hoping making eye contact helped and I haven’t seen the car since! Hopefully this is a one time thing! I would LOVE to take a self defense class!
I was running during the day one time and spotted a man hiding in the woods appearing to be exposing himself to me. It may have been innocent, but ever since then, I have run with pepper spray. And I dont run alone in the dark by myself , ever.
Oh no that’s awful!! Running in the dark alone is kind of something I have to do at least 1-2 times a week unless I want to be on a treadmill every morning which isn’t really fun 🙂 A headlamp, pepper spray and sticking to the same road does help some!
Very frightening. My wife carries pepper spray with her at all times. I think it is a good purchase and you can never be too cautious. I used to run with my phone, but don’t any longer since I got my Garmin. I have considered pepper spray since dogs seem to come after me consistently and one bit my leg last year.
Yes I already bought it and am looking forward to at least peace of mind a little! I am going to look up how to have someone track my garmin and look into Road ID as well!
Wow I am SO sorry to hear that this happened, and I’m glad that nothing happened! Good job on keeping an eye on the driver and removing your headphones. I try to be hyper aware when I run alone, especially if there aren’t a lot of people out and about. Again, so glad that you are safe.
I think I got comfortable because I have run the same route all the time, a lesson learned for sure! If he was bad, I think eye contact definitely made him aware that I saw him.
Oh my goodness – I have had unpleasant things happen (yelling at me to leave the road, foul language being tossed my way, people telling me to run against traffic not with traffic, etc.), but I have not had a car loop around me. Wow – I think you made the right choice and I applaud you for getting outside on Tuesday. After getting yelled at this Summer, I changed routes and I get nervous on that one section of the road, still, just remembering. Keep alert and stay safe – thinking of you!
Yeah I guess it is a good lesson that no matter where I run and how safe I feel I always need to pay attention! I always run facing traffic but I have been yelled at many times as well!
That’s so scary!! I am glad that you are ok! I always run with my phone just in case I need to call someone, or the police. My dad got all of us ladies sabre hand held pepper spray to take with us when we run. Definitely the best Christmas present ever! And mine is pink!
Yes I am excited to have pepper spray I will at least feel like I have a way of protecting myself! 🙂
I am so glad you are alright! Always trust your gut! If they really were lost, and they were a good person no one is going to be offended they will understand your being cautious! My father in law bought me this little hand held pepper spray that a velcro loop you can slip your hand through, or velcro it to a belt/backpack. I am bad to admit I don’t ever bring it out with me when I am running in town, but usually take it with me when I am out on the back roads/trails!
Yes I’ve been looking at those! I ordered one online and I really think that will make me feel better 🙂
I definitely had a few shivers reading this because I can relate to that feeling, though it’s a rare occurrence. Coincidentally I got really nervous just this morning when a car slowed down behind me (in the dark, around 6am) on a typical route. I thought maybe it was someone delivering the newspaper but it wasn’t. Turns out they were just checking house numbers I think but it still gave me the creeps. I also hate when occasionally a driver stops to ask directions. Glad everything was okay and hopefully this won’t affect your running too much. Maybe carrying pepper spray too, my parents are always trying to get me to do this and I really should.
Oh yes I have been asked directions many times too! I think pepper spray will give me a better peace of mind for sure 🙂 I know it will make my husband feel better too!
Glad you are safe. Hope there is no next time. But in case it happen again, better call police.
Will do!
That’s REALLY scary. I’ve had similar experiences. I live in a super safe rural community but I’m always on high alert. You just never know who you can trust and bad things happen everywhere to women (sadly). When I feel that someone may be stalking me, I will immediately stop and call my husband with a description of the vehicle and license number. On one occasion where I’m 99 percent sure this man had been looping around me and stopped in the trees on an isolated stretch of road (where I believe he was waiting for me), he saw me get on my phone and immediately pulled out and drove off quickly….I didn’t see him again. Also, I run with my live tracker turned on via Garmin ALWAYS. I feel a little more comfortable now that my dog has been joining me on most of my runs – especially those that are more isolated. He’s a loving guy but I know his size would make him intimidating to someone that doesn’t know him. I also know even though he’s not aggressive that he would attempt to protect me if something went wrong.
Yes I am going to have to look into the live tracker! I wish my dog could keep up for that long, but I think pepper spray will help me feel a bit better 🙂
Did you not have your cell phone with you? Call your husband then call the police
Nope I don’t run with my cell phone. My husband was at work but I did call him as soon as I got home.
That is scary as hell and I’m glad you are ok. I would suggest calling the cops and telling them this story. Growing up in a high crime city, I have learned to always call the cops and explain the situation bc the cops know what is and what isn’t a pattern. This car could be doing this to other runners in the area.
This is really scary and I am glad you’re okay. I know it was hard for you to go through this. It scares me because lots of times, I go running and don’t think about these things- I run from my home when my husband is at work so usually when I run alone, no one knows I am gone.
So, *thank you* for posting this- because it has made me rethink where I run, who I tell, when I run, and what I would do in your situation. I’m sorry that you were in the situation :(.
It’s hard when you love running- and it’s an activity that brings us joy and health- but then it’s scary to do it because of people like this creep 🙁
That is so so scary. And I’m sorry you had to go through it. ;( What an awful thing to happen. Glad you made it through OK.
I had a scare on a bike ride, but turned out to be nothing. I was biking in the middle of nowhere by myself and got a flat. I always carry spare tubes, but I had gotten two flats that week (!?) and was out. I called my husband to pick me up, but I was a good 20 mins drive outside of town and he wasn’t exactly sure where I was… Farmland county roads look rather alike. I was sitting on the side of the road waiting and saw a car drive by, slow down, and then loop around. I totally freaked out because I was all alone in the middle of nowhere and did not need help or want to see anyone. A guy got out and I freaked out some more. As it turned out it was one of my best friends (and cycling partner) who was on way to going away party in neighboring town, happened to see someone on the side of road, and decided to help. He did not realize it was me until we were standing next to each other. We were both slightly weirded out that we ran into each other. I had actually asked him to come ride with me earlier that day, but did not tell him the ride I was taking. After this experience, I have never ridden my bike outside of town alone.
Oh wow that’s scary!
Wow! This is so scary. Please be careful. It is such a shame that you have to change your plans because of crazy people, but I’m glad you did.
I’ve carried pepper spray with me when I run for years. Mine has a hook that fits over my waist band so that I can get to it easily, but I don’t have to have it in my hand all of the time. Stay safe!
Wow, I got scared just reading about it and cannot imagine how you felt. I am so sorry that happened to you. I bought pepper spray from Amazon.
Thanks for sharing. I know these things can be difficult to share, but your honesty is really appreciated. As a female who runs alone, this would have freaked me out to. Glad it ended safely and I hope you can reclaim you neighborhood soon!