Bruised and scared

[ILoveLicorice]

I've not posted before but always enjoy the stories and hints from everyone here.Prompted to write because whilst running today, a lovely evening run by the river, I smiled at a group of teenagers and as I passed one of them threw a large stone at the back of my head.

I heard running and was so scared they were chasing me that I just carried on running as fast as I could for as long as I could.

I'm ok, just have a bit of a headache, but my children are really upset and I am just feeling a whole mixture of anger and sadness. I hate the thought of being frightened to go out and run, it's rubbish.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

That's a terrible thing to happen, I really feel angry that people would do this to you.

[ILoveLicorice in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I am so , so sorry this happened to you. Can I strongly encourage you to reach out to someone in real life? You might need your head injury checking. The police might be able to catch the offenders.

This is an awful thing to have happened and I really hope you have the support around you that you need after such a horrible experience.

[ILoveLicorice in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you. I have had my head checked and physically I'm fine. Bruises mostly emotional I think.

[Roxdog Graduate]

Oh how terrible that this happened to you. I hope you have the strength to report it to the police maybe. I hope you get the support you need so that this doesn't put you off running. Take care.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Thank goodness you have been checked and are okay... I do hope that you reported the incident to the police.

There area few folk like the ones you met, but mostly, thankfully , folk are supprtive..ir they ignore you

Is it possible for you to run earlier, or with someone else.... or a change of route maybe where there are more folk about ?

It has been a horrible experience and I hope that you will be able to continue to run x

[AncientMum Graduate]

please report this incident to the police. These people may have a history of assault and your testimony could be the final straw that prompts police action. Hope you’re feeling ok today but don’t hesitate to get help if you feel you need it. This was a criminal assault

[Instructor57 Graduate]

This is terrible!So glad you have been checked out though and I physical injury .

But it can certainly be difficult emotionally!

As others have said, please report this to police .

Take care and I hope you can still get out and enjoy your running 🤞

[Oldwoman65 Graduate]

Oh my word. That's a terrible thing to happen and so sad that some horrible kids think it's fun to throw stones at another human being! What is the matter with them. I hope you're ok and are not put off going out another time. Can someone go with you next time to give you some support?

[Gthants]

So so sorry. c25K is such a good thing. Such a positive force for health, fitness - and feeling good about yourself. You are doing absolutely brilliantly and it's simply awful that eejuts such not just try to spoil it, but go as far as to risk someone else's health. Do report this. And I sincerely hope you continue to run - and get back to enjoying it. Sending you very best wishes.

[Cmoi Graduate]

Hello ILoveLicorice , I am appalled to read that someone deliberately threw a large stone at your head. That is an assault, and really must be reported to the police. There is absolutely no excuse for aggression and violence, and those teenagers need to know it. AncientMum is absolutely right - what if these little expletives-deleted are in the habit of acting like this?

While I can understand that you are frightened and might be reluctant to run by the river again, I'd encourage you to do so, as soon as you feel able. Why should obnoxious bullies have the power to dictate where you choose to run? It's not their territory. It's not up to them. Please use your entirely justifiable anger and sadness to stand up to them.

[ILoveLicorice in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you all for your lovely replies. I have reported the incident to the police. I have no real ill effects other than a bit of a headache today. I am not sure if I will feel able to run in the same area again but I will keep running.

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to ILoveLicorice]

Thank you for reporting to the police. You may prevent this happening to someone else. There really are some stupid people out there. I sincerely hope that this will not stop you running.

[Cmoi Graduate in reply to ILoveLicorice]

Well done on reporting it to the police.

Obviously it's your choice as to whether you run there again. I just find it sad that it's you, rather than those who have committed an offence, who might feel it necessary to change your behaviour.

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to ILoveLicorice]

Bravo all round!

[Redbook5 Graduate]

This is just so awful, I had to reply! I hope you are feeling a bit better and that the headache has gone and glad you got checked out. Definitely agree that you should report this to the police, the same individuals might haunt the same places and do it again. I’m so sorry this has happened to you and I hope it doesn’t scare you off running x

[Liono Graduate]

I am so sorry to read this, what a horrible experience for you. I am very glad you reported it and hope you are able to run again soon.Is it possible that they threw the stone but didn't intend for it to hit you and then ran away when they realised what they'd done? Or is that just wishful thinking?

[Yesletsgo Graduate]

So sorry you have had this horrible experience. Running by rivers is wonderful and now they have done their best to ruin it for you.

Have you got a scary friend who might go for a walk with you along the route to see if the little %*&^%$ are there again? Who might have a quiet word with them and explain that it is totally unacceptable and that they must apologise to you? Might be quicker and more effective than waiting for any official action. Bullies shrink if they are put back to their right place, under stones rather than throwing them.

Good luck!

[ILoveLicorice in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies. I have felt quite rubbish about the whole thing today but am determined to run tomorrow.

What's bothering me is that I can't see anyway other than changing my behaviour i.e change my route or run with someone else, and I do hate having to modify my life to feel safe.

Grateful I'm ok though and for everyone who's taken the time to respond. It has helped x

[Folkylass Administrator Graduate]

I am so saddened to read this. I’m pleased that you’ve had a check up and you are ok physically. However please like everyone else here has said …you must report this to the police if you haven’t done already.It sickens me to think that people would do some thing like this to another fellow human.

However when you have got your self back together and you’re in a better place get back out there and don’t let this incident put you off from doing what you clearly enjoy.Be strong and be brave. Remember we are all here for you👍❤️x

[buzzards Graduate]

What an awful experience. Disgraceful. It's good that you reported the incident to the police and that you still want to carry on running. I'm glad you're okay and wishing you positive runs in the future.

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

I am so sad that you had to experience this, ILoveLicorice ! Thank you for your courage and trust in this community for sharing it!

It's been 4 days since you posted this - were you out for a run again? Is there anything else we can do from afar here online to support you?

And, yes, it's totally frustrating to have to change our behavior to feel safe!!! Sadly, it's something many of us have done and are doing... Maybe, at some point, you can reconquer the route... Either way, though, I am glad that you're planning to keep on running! 🤗

[ILoveLicorice in reply to ChannelRunner2]

Hi ChannelRunner2, thank you for your message. I went for a run yesterday a day later than planned as my head was sore for a couple of days.I may go back to part of the river route in the future, I'm not sure. The support here has been great and so helpful xx

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate in reply to ILoveLicorice]

I am so glad you felt well enough to go for a run, ILoveLicorice ! That's awesome 🥳

(And it's awful that it took so long for your head to recover 😡)

[Fiadh79 Graduate]

Wow, what a horrible experience for you. I'm glad you got checked out and are ok physically. Hope you're starting to feel better.

Well done for reporting to the police. Its not always an easy thing to do. Hopefully they will catch the people that did this. Hugs to you!