Do you ever run in the dark? How do you do with it? Are you comfortable, and just enjoy the peacefulness & anonymity? Or are you scared of the dark?
I try to be badass.
I try to be fearless.
I tell my husband "Pepper spray - schmepper spray" "alarm system? Sch-larm system" when he tells me to be aware of my surroundings.
But really? Let's be honest. This lady is scared of the dark.
Today I went for a run in my neighborhood for the 1st time ever in the dark. Usually when I work out before I go to work, it's still dark out. Therefore, I light weights in our "home gym" or I use a tredmill @ my gym.
(may I add we live in a ridiculously safe, mostly retired, community...)
But today I decided it's time to wear some reflective gear, wear my head-light, and carry some pepper spray & a cell phone.
Sounds like I was armed, right?
Didn't feel so. I was a nervous wreck. My first encounter was when I heard footsteps, and I started saying OUT LOUD "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!!" (I thought for sure it was an attacker)
No, it was just a fellow runner.
Then I saw an tall being standing in the desert off my running trail. I got my pepper spray cap off, ready to aim in case he attacked me. I thought to my self, "WITHOUT DOUBT this is either a sex offender or a javelina"
A javelina is a wild pig which habitate in the Sonoran Desert. I don't know which is worse to get attacked by....
Then as I got close and ready to attack, I realized it was a cactus. And this is where I realized I'm hypervigilant and need to take a "chill pill"
I think the root of this issues is my community's lack of street lights. My community doesn't allow street lights so the citizens to see the beautiful stars and save on energy. Great concept....pain in the ass.
So how do you protect yourself while running, walking, biking, exploring out in the wild? Really, we should have ourselves "armed" in some manner. You never know what/who's out there!
I try to be badass.
I try to be fearless.
I tell my husband "Pepper spray - schmepper spray" "alarm system? Sch-larm system" when he tells me to be aware of my surroundings.
But really? Let's be honest. This lady is scared of the dark.
Today I went for a run in my neighborhood for the 1st time ever in the dark. Usually when I work out before I go to work, it's still dark out. Therefore, I light weights in our "home gym" or I use a tredmill @ my gym.
(may I add we live in a ridiculously safe, mostly retired, community...)
But today I decided it's time to wear some reflective gear, wear my head-light, and carry some pepper spray & a cell phone.
Sounds like I was armed, right?
Didn't feel so. I was a nervous wreck. My first encounter was when I heard footsteps, and I started saying OUT LOUD "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God!!" (I thought for sure it was an attacker)
No, it was just a fellow runner.
Then I saw an tall being standing in the desert off my running trail. I got my pepper spray cap off, ready to aim in case he attacked me. I thought to my self, "WITHOUT DOUBT this is either a sex offender or a javelina"
A javelina is a wild pig which habitate in the Sonoran Desert. I don't know which is worse to get attacked by....
Then as I got close and ready to attack, I realized it was a cactus. And this is where I realized I'm hypervigilant and need to take a "chill pill"
I think the root of this issues is my community's lack of street lights. My community doesn't allow street lights so the citizens to see the beautiful stars and save on energy. Great concept....pain in the ass.
So how do you protect yourself while running, walking, biking, exploring out in the wild? Really, we should have ourselves "armed" in some manner. You never know what/who's out there!
Comments
I must admit - you almost attacking a cactus did amuse me.
I only carry my cell phone and try to wear bright clothing! I'm sure I could be safer...