A fright and a giggle

[nhs2015]

Met a friend at the coffee shop yesterday. Chatting about running she asked if I was worried running on my own so early in the morning and that in the last week 2 joggers (one a 14 year old girl) were molested in separate incidents. It was in the city 80 km away, not here. I told her I wasn't worried as my white hair would probably be a deterrent.

However this morning while heading down the park with my iPod on, empty street, no cars, people still sleeping, plenty of trees, water, fresh air, the world felt all mine. I was actually running on the road, less than 1metre away alongside the footpath, when suddenly two loud noises : whack whack, and a dark shadow on my right,... a runner passed me. Now, all I heard was two"whacks" and saw a shadow. Terrifying. So close to me that I am sure the hairs on my arms must have whoosh. What a fright. In a split of a second I imagine myself being grabbed by the throat..... I mean, the guy had all the space on the left... Why on earth did he pass me in the narrow space between me and the footpath. Never mind he was a runner so it is ok. He looked professional. The back of his legs were strapped vertically with fluoro green tape. He was quick. I did not stop to recover but my heart was beating. He appeared to be running the same route as me.

As I circled the carpark of the boat ramp I had expected to see him flying on the other side of the lagoon but no one was there. It had been about 10 minutes since he passed me. Suddenly whoosh, there he was, passing me again. Where did he come from? Ahhhh, got it, (chuckles......), toilet block by the boat ramp. Didn't we talk about "pit stops" on this forum a few days ago? I wonder if all the runners in my part of the world know which toilet block is open and which is closed...

[aliboo70]

Sounds a bit scary NHS ! But you're right just sounds like a runner in a hurry for the loo!!! Glad you're ok thoughI x

[mfamilias Graduate]

Ha ha ha, scared by a man who needed the loo.... If I listened to all the scaremongers in France, I'd never go anywhere (and probably lock my children up, too). You've got to be sensible, without being over-sensitive to dire warnings. Nice to know you're out running again - how far did you run?

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Just 5k mfamilias, was a bit lazy lately but back on track now before Xmas excesses

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

I've already managed to put on 2kg ahead of Christmas excesses. Looks like I manage to get ahead for some things...

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I once had to say loadly: 'sorry runner on your left'. As i sloooowly jogged past someone. She WAS walking admittedly, but i was so proud i passed someone with a bit of confidence teehee

[melly4012 Graduate]

It frustrates me when people telling me running alone in the dark isn't safe. Especially as it's now dark at 4 in the afternoon so no one would go anywhere if that were the case! I always think something could happen to someone who is walking to the shops or walking their dogs or something along that route on a winter's evening then there's no reason I shouldn't run it. Sensible, yes, but stop running, never!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Well it shows he's normal I guess! Once a runner whooshed past me in the middle of nowhere and I was scared because I didn't have my earplugs in and thought I would hear someone behind me, but no I didn't! We need a little wing mirror on our heads 😊

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Now that's an idea IP, cute little mirrors coming out of our ears? And a horn for overtaking. My husband bought one for my bike as a joke. I should strap it to my head 😄 All we need then is antennas... Beep beep... Oops, watch out the men in white coats are coming

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Too late! They've already paid me a visit

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Love it 😂

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Don't know about horns, but there are nifty little bells that you can put on your finger to warn people that you are coming up behind them: run-bell-co-uk.myshopify.com

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Runbell, cute little things

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Almost as cute as us.

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Rings on your fingers and bells on your toes...

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

.... and she can scare people wherever she goes

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Boom boom! 😂😂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Loving that image

[Sofargoner Graduate]

I have thought of this too, as a lone female runner but then life equals risk and there's more chance of heart disease, osteoporosis or a stroke by being inactive and doing nothing about weight rather than attack/molestation. Sensible approach needed!!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Does anyone carry a personal alarm with them, if so some pointers to which please 😀 I seem to recall Oldfloss mentioning it in a post?

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Yes i remember it was discussed before. It would be handy in populated area but not along an isolated beach or bush / forest track. Or vineyards for that matter

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

I suppose us oldies are ok.

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Oo i dont think so, we are far too glamarous to be over looked😀👍🏼

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

True... I scrub up nicely

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Yep... I did...link below

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00...

[roseabi]

I was thinking a little mirror for the wrist might be useful - lo and behold!

bonanzamarket.co.uk/listing...

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

What a fab idea! I could put on my lippy whilst running then! 😉LOL 😂 😂 Can you imagine, a crazy wobbly line all over, people would think I was one of those scary clowns.

[roseabi in reply to Flossie22]

Lol! That I would love to see

[roseabi in reply to roseabi]

... scaring off the potential attackers by dressing as a clown is another good option of course

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

LOL 😂 LOL 😂 Perfect, that's what I should do if I go out in the dark. Ooh . . . men in white coats appearing soon . . .

[roseabi in reply to Flossie22]

Or the cops

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

Yes, that's more like it! 👮🏼 "Excuse me miss, what do you think you're doing? Dressed as a clown, in the middle of the night?" "Oh, just running and keeping any potential attackers at bay," Big, cheesier grin than normal, due to clown face smile!

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

I will have to watch out then because our boys in blue usually go to pick up their coffee by the beach towards the end of their night shifts, (while patrolling of course.)

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

Actually not a bad idea to use while riding but I have seen little mirrors attached to helmets which I thought was a clever idea.

[Flossie22 Graduate in reply to nhs2015]

Scullers have mirrors they sometimes have on hats or the sides of their glasses.

[nhs2015 Graduate in reply to Flossie22]

Ahhh, a new word for me, Scullers. Thank you Wikipedia

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Eeekk! that was terrifying...thank goodness it was a loo-natic... not an axe wielding lu-natic

[roseabi in reply to Oldfloss]

If there's one thing running turns us into it's gotta be loo-natics