Worst fear, about running outside

Dreamerlove

I love to run. I can only run outside though, because the treadmill is so boring. I try to always so hello to people I pass while running. Well this man was planting in his garden in the front yard and I said "hello" and he said "hello, how are you?" I said "fine thanks" and tried to keep going, he then stood and said "do you like eggs?" and I do so I replied "yes, I do" and he said "because I have some eggs out back, would you like to come see them?". That's when my radar went off, beeping this guy is weird. I ended up saying "No thank, I have no way of bringing any home" I was trying to be nice and continue on my run, at this point no cars where passing by and I was getting worried he was going to snatch me up. He then said "Are you sure? I have tons in the back, come look. Do you live in this neighborhood?" So then I said "no, well I have to go, bye".

It was kind of scary and I really thought, what if this guy drives up and kidnaps me or sees me running in the future? I was kinda afraid that I would be on MISSING or something. I'm curious of anything like this has happened to you or someone you know? What is the best way to get o out of a situation like that? Whats your worst fear about exercising outside?

AmyRhubarb

That is kind of creepy! He may have been harmless, but the fact that your radar went off is certainly not something to ignore! And that he wanted you to come to the back yard - CREEPY! You did the right thing to just keep going. But yeah, I would be a little worried about seeing him again - can you change up your route so you don't pass his place?

I run outside too, but have never had an issue. I'm only in my neighborhood for a few minutes then cross over to the local college campus, and there are usually plenty of people around.

Be safe! I hope you don't have any more run-ins with this guy.

maddymama

Hi,
So... that is scary....there are some basic things you can do to keep you safer when you run, although you did a good thing by listening to your gut instinct. For example, you should always tell someone of your plans, when you leave, and then let them know when you return... I email my husband about this. Change your route often, change the time you run, too.

I carry mace with me when I run, along with my phone. I know many people have a ccl, and run with handguns in holsters, but that isn't for me.

Don't run with both earbuds in your ears if you run listening to music. Run with one earbud in, one out... so you can hear what's going on around you.

Finally, enjoy your run.... it's one of the best exercises out there..........

wildhehr2

When I run outside, my hubby always knows my route and about how long it should take me. Once, when a massive blister slowed me down and I was about 15 minutes behind schedule, he and the kids were getting in the car to look for me just as I limped into sight. In addition to making sure he knows my route, I stick to very well populated areas.

fittertanme

very wise not to go out the back but dont let it worry you when out on your run as it will spoil your day and play on your mind but tell someone what happend as they might know more about this person but dont let it get you down. I do running but only started a few months ago but love it and wont let it get me down

nnylee

That's creepy. Stay safe.

sebbysmommy

I would be finding a new route

Minnesota_Mark

I'm thinking of starting to run again after many years away from it. I think in general people in our society are way too neurotic about others that may strike them as odd or off-color. But that being said, I agree with everything said by the replies above. Take precautions and protect yourself. In my opinion you handled this man exactly correctly in breaking off contact when you were uncomfortable. Happy trails!

DaniellePF

Two words: Jogger Fogger

Erin6794

Maybe he was a creepy psychopath and by "eggs" he meant "people tied up in my crawlspace" OR maybe he was just a lonely guy who was trying to be nice to someone who said hi to him I guess you never really know, but I tend to err on the side of caution with stuff like that - usually if someone sets off my "something is not right" radar I figure there is a reason for it!

w2bab

I had something like that happen to me a few years back, at 6:30 a..m. on Mother's Day. . . no one was up and moving around outside. I had my cell, but I didn't feel right calling 911. I didn't know if I was overreacting or not. When I got to work and told the guys about it, I was sternly scolded and told to ALWAYS keep the number for the local police department dispatch in my phone. I called the police to report the incident and they told me the same thing: If I wasn't comfortable calling 911, I should have called dispatch to report it. In this case they would have sent an officer to check it out and make sure I got home safely.

That would never have occurred to me. In my mind it was 911 or nothing.

bigdawg62

Zombie attacks

TrailRunner61

Take a different route, vary it daily so there is no pattern to your route, run with a partner if possible, tell someone your route, let them know when you should be back and never run at night, especially alone. Buy some pepper spray.
I'm a chicken so I'd be checking out the registered sex offender lists online. Most state have them and they list the address and photos of the offenders.
He was probably harmless but if your 'radar went off', something was wrong! Please be careful.

sabified

Not saying this person will necessarily try to do anything but that is weird!

I'm paranoid about this kinda stuff too, because there WERE attempts at people kidnapping running women (not done one me) last summer so there are a couple things I do. I change up my routes- I have 3 or 4 that I go on, which is actually helpful for me because I don't have a gps tracker so I know the exact distances I'm running. I have routes which I'll do if I run earlier in the day and there's sunshine, because those go through woodsy areas but I know lots of people will be there as long as it's sunny, and then I have a couple routes which are based around my neighbourhood, which I'll do if I'm running later in the day.

Either way, you definitely played it safe by not sticking around! Don't go to placed you don't know with people you don't know! Maybe try letting someone know when and where you're going just in case as well. I usually keep my bf updated on which way I'm running.

CannibalisticVegetarian

Find a new route! Maybe it's just me being paranoid, but it's better to play it safe than to wind up having your skin stitched into an elegant coat that he can fancy to the ball. .. Okay that was quite creepy on my part.

Also for the record, I can't wrap my head around any situation that would call me to strike up a conversation with the ever awkward, 'Do you like eggs?'.

*Edit* If you MUST run that same route again, try taking someone along with you.. err preferably John Cena.

rcramer7

Hello, young lady;) Would you like to come around back pet my chickens? I bet you would love some of my succulent eggs!

You need to write down his address and decsription and tell someone if you go missing see him first. Tell them to check out-back!

There is no way he meant no harm. NONE.

I'd be scared if I dreamt that.



OH! HELL NO!!!!