Greetings!
Yesterday, was quite the interesting day and I am glad I finally have a chance to sit down and write about it.
The sun finally peaked out just before lunch hour yesterday. Actually, it wasn’t just peaking out, it was glorious outside. I was so excited to get out there and go for a run after a week of rain and cold.
Before I left, I had a raw and gluten-free Glo Bar for fuel, since I would not be having my lunch until I returned.
I am finally in love with this bar with 100% of my heart and it feels so good. I will be announcing the release date on Tuesday!
I got my running stuff on, including my favourite Lululemon mesh shape jacket.
However, about 15 minutes into the run, I got really warm. I decided to put my jacket by the woods under a couple of sticks. I would pick it up when I returned. There was this gravel pull-over spot where fishers sometimes stop to go fishing in the creek below, so it was probably about 30 feet away from the road and the jacket wasn’t very visible. I also moved a bigger stick over top of it in case the wind blew hard at some point.
Then I was off for the rest of my run! I was super happy on this run for a few reasons:
- The sun and warmth
- My groin was 100% pain free and remained that way after each mile
- I didn’t feel as winded on this run as the other night
I rocked the hills…
and I was just feeling all around good.
After going out and back for about 25 minutes, I returned to where I dropped off my Lululemon jacket.
It was gone.
There was also a car parked about 15 feet away from where I dropped my jacket and I assumed that it was a fisherman who had parked and gone to the creek.
But I didn’t see anyone fishing.
I looked around for 10-15 more seconds and I did not see the jacket anywhere. Then, I noticed that someone was sitting in the car.
I decided to ask the person in the car if they had seen my jacket, but I kept back at least 6 feet from the car. There was a man in the car and I instantly regretted approaching the car at all. Instantly my guard went up, like hairs going up on a dogs back. I asked if he had seen a yellow jacket, and he said no, but there was just something very in strange about his response. He did not seem genuine, or at least, that was what my instincts were telling me. I said thanks anyways and I started to distance myself from the car about 20 feet or so, and then the man got out of the car, through the passenger side door which was facing the woods. Something about that was very strange to me. The man started looking for the jacket.
My gut was telling me one thing and one thing only- something is not right here. My body was screaming loud and clear, so I listened. I remember watching an Oprah show years and years ago on self-defense, and the man on the show said that women often get into trouble when they don’t listen to their gut feeling. I decided to listen, so I took off running.
Not more than a minute after I left, the man in his car drove by and continued on his way, wherever he was going. I didn’t make eye contact.
Adrenaline was pumping through my veins as I ran home. I was angry. I was upset. I was cursing being a woman and having to go through life feeling vulnerable and scared. I started thinking about all kinds of reasons that man was there in his car and why my jacket went missing. I tried to reassure myself that it was just a coincidence, but I couldn’t deny the feeling I had about the whole thing. The whole way home I watched my back and looked for his car, but did not see it. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being followed.
I got home and the first thing I did was call the local police. Note, I did not call 911- I called the non-emergency number. I didn’t think I was in immediate danger, but I wanted to report what happened because I did feel like it was suspicious and who knows, maybe someone else called in something similar, you never know.
The lady I spoke with said that someone would check the area, and then a couple hours later a policeman ended up coming to our house to speak with me. He said that you should always, always report something that you feel is suspicious and he said I did the right thing. He told me a couple things that made me feel better:
- He said the area we live in is very, very safe and generally I don’t have anything to worry about (but obviously no one knows for sure)
- He said since Ontario banned the use of cell phones in vehicles, many people are pulling off to the side of the road to make a call, at what seems to be, very random places. He said they see all kinds of cars pulled over in strange areas since the implementation of this law.
So yes, it could have been something very innocent, or it could have not. I was not going to take the chance and find out. For a split second I hesitated and I actually tried to deny what my gut was telling me. I think women do this A LOT for fear of insulting the other person or making them feel badly. For a split second, I thought, ‘If I run away this man is going to feel badly!’, but I had to ignore that thought. Women are naturally people pleasers. We are always, always thinking about other people first.
Well, I think we need to put an end to that NOW.
No one else is going to look after our safety except us!
Maybe that man did feel bad that I took off or maybe he was embarrassed that I seemed scared of him, but that is not my problem. My focus is keeping myself safe first and foremost.
Morale of the story: Trust your gut, always. If the hairs on your back go up and you feel uncomfortable leave the scene immediately!
A few things I learned from this situation that I wanted to share with you:
- Never, ever approach a car. Thinking about it in retrospect makes me feel like a fool for what I did. Even though I stayed back a good 6-7 feet from the car, I should have never approached a suspicious vehicle (or any vehicle). Do not make the same mistake as me!
- Do not abandon layers while on a run. If someone does have bad motives and they see a piece of women’s workout clothing left somewhere, it could be an invitation for trouble. I will never leave a piece of clothing on the road again.
- Think about safety options to carry with you on your run. Eric and I are going to pick up a couple things today (I will blog about what I get) and I will be doing my long runs with him (on bike) for the next while. My shorter runs will be run in busier neighbourhoods.
Some of the things I already do when going on a run:
- Let Eric know when I am leaving, when I plan to return, and the route I am taking (ALWAYS!)
- I carry ID
- I carry my cell phone
It was a bittersweet run because the run itself was actually the best one I have had in over 6 weeks!
I did just over 8 miles in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Dwight says 7.58 miles, but that is because I was running with my watch paused for about 1/2 a mile. I felt really strong on this run and it made me feel much more confident about my half marathon on May 30th.
Today’s question: Do you feel like women have a 6th sense when it comes to potentially dangerous situations? Have you ever listened to your gut and got out of a bad situation? Do you carry any safety devices when running?
I always listen to my gut, and I do think that women have a 6th sense about danger … I have experienced many times before.
I’m so glad you’re OK! That’s so crazy.
I was just inspired by your post to write one of my own experience.
Be safe!
Angela thank you for writing about your day. I am so thankful that you are safe….Reading this post will remind me to listen to my gut. Thanks again!
I’m glad you trusted your instincts.
I want to be able to run in my neighborhood. But both times I tried I felt like I was being followed and not comfortable at all. So I tend to run on the running path instead.
I’m so glad you are okay. Thank you for sharing your story. This is something I always worry about when I’m running.
If their is a car pulled over I always cross to the other side of the road. For fear they might pull me into the car. I always tell my husband when I’m leaving and when I’ll be back. I always run faster if someone is around and I give a look of authority and control. I live in a slightly remote neighborhood outside city limits like you. So I always worry about wooded area’s and pick up my pace in those area’s and stay very alert and aware.
I am so glad you trusted your instincts and are safe!
This is one of the reasons I opt to run on the treadmill if I run before work. It is still pretty dark outside when I workout and I am too nervous, even with lit roads! Who knows what could happen.
This post is a great reminder to always listen to your gut feeling no matter what.
I`m so glad to hear that your safe, but sad about your jacket :(
I tend to be under-suspicious of situations, like, it`ll never happen to me. I know I need to be more careful! Congrats on the great run!
As someone who was held up at gunpoint I say always trust your gut too!! I knew better than to enter a parking lot alone, late at night but I did it anyway. I’m glad I was only scared and my things were stolen because it could have been so much worse.
Glad you are safe!
Wow, Angela. I’m so glad that you listened to your gut and took care of yourself first and foremost. I had goosebumps while reading your story. One time, I went to the mall alone around Christmas time and for whatever reason, the minute I pulled into the parking lot I felt like something was “off.” I am not usually afraid of being alone and so it was a new thing for me. I was looking for groups of people to walk in with/behind and noticed that there was a man weaving in and out of the cars kind of haphazardly. I decided to wait, lock the doors and just sit there for a while. I was fishing my cell phone out of my bag when I looked up and the man was at the passenger side window of my car. He was naked under his coat. It was probably the scariest thing ever. Luckily, I had my phone and called the police right away – he took off. They never found him but he had done it to three other girls that day. I’m so thankful that I stayed in my car! It really is amazing what our intuition is capable of.
Wow! This story gave me goosebumps. I’m glad you are ok and I think you definitely reacted the right way. It makes me think twice about running alone outside because you never know
Oh gosh, that is so scary!
Forget about your jacket, the important thing is that you’re okay!
Gosh that sounds really scary! I’m glad you’re OK and that he didn’t hurt you – thank god you trusted your instincts!
I definitely think you’re right that us women often feel bad if we ignore/run off on/etc a stranger, but really if our instincts tell us it’s bad, it’s better to run than to get hurt.
Good on you for reporting it!
Wow, what a scary situation! Props to you for getting out of there and calling the police. I’m certain many women would have just left and brushed it off, but if the person was suspicious at all, the police should have been notified, you’re so smart!
I am SO bad at forgetting my ID at home, and I almost never bring my cell. But I should! Even though I run in a pretty populated area, I really should think about safety more.
Glad you’re ok, sorry your jacket is not! :(
does your id have a contact number and name? I got my roadID and I feel so much safer with it. A cell phone does no one any good if you can’t talk.
I always call the police with things like this. bummer about your jacket but I am glad you OK. I lost a shirt on a trail run over a month ago and I went back to run the same trails last week and I found my shirt! Some animal had dragged it away and scratched at it in a few places but I can still wear it. you never know, it might show up. put your name in your running gear so maybe someone will return it.
wow! what a harrowing experience! i’m so glad you’re safe & yes, always listen to your gut!
Hiya! First up, I haven’t been reading blogs much the past few weeks because life just got crazy busy, so I’ve only just seen your new blog design. I think it’s absolutely GORGEOUS!! It’s so professional, and clean looking, but still fun. Congrats!
Secondly, I totally agree with you about following your gut. It’s something I tend to do anyway, but I’d never have thought of calling the local police. Thank you for that one!
I always carry pepper spray with me when I run. I’ve never had to use it, but I still always bring it. I always tell my husband the route I’ll be running too, and never listen to my podcasts too loud so that I can hear the sounds around me.
This was a scary story!! So glad that you’re OK. But at the same time it was a wonderful story – a reminder of how we all need to be aware of where we are and what we’re doing (part of the reason I don’t run with headphones – though that has more to do with traffic – and don’t use them on the subway). I tend to let my mind wander when running, especially longer runs so thanks for the reminder. Ironically someone told me about some self defence classes for women being run by one of the local PD’s so I will look into that.
A couple of months ago on a really (really) cold day I was walking home from work with my hood on and as I turned onto my street I could hear heavy footsteps behind me, definitely very close and not letting up. It was dusk and while we do live in a very busy neighbourhood, our street can be somewhat quiet. I took a quick glance sideways and all I could see was a guy (bigger than me) wearing a dark coat with his hood up. Didn’t need to see anymore – I just really picked up the pace, looked straight ahead and didn’t stop still I was safely behind my locked apartment door. Come to find out later it was a neighbour from nextdoor that we hadn’t met yet!! He saw me a couple of days later, introduced himself, and apologized for scaring me, so in the end it was really nothing but the reaction I had was something I hadn’t felt in ages and I was glad that I didn’t ignore it.
Thanks for sharing your experience!! I think other people have recommended a RoadID – I have one and always feel better for it. It doesn’t matter where you live, you’re right – we need to be aware!
I hate it when people slow down to ask me directions. It scares me every time! You did the right thing. It’s always better to be safe!
I agree that you shouldn’t have talked to the man, but when you realized something was wrong you did what you needed to and I hope you’re really proud of yourself! Even if he was a nice guy, your intention was not to hurt his feelings or be mean, it was to be safe. Your safety tips are good ones. I shudder to think what could have happened. Even though you lost your jacket you are a very lucky girl. Thank goodness for having the courage to follow your gut. *Hugs* Maybe you could do another post on running safety soon.