The Dark Side as a Woman Runner👟🚨👀

I recently experienced something that hit me harder than it usually would because I was running in an area that is usually not where I run. I was being followed. The darkest side as a woman runner is the constant paranoia of being followed or catcalled when all I am trying to do is focus on myself and my run. It can really ruin my day and this day it did. I remember thinking to myself saying, “Well maybe I should’ve worn a sweatpants outfit to make sure I look super baggy like a man to not attract any attention.” Looking back at that comment I made to myself, it infuriated me with anger. Why do I have to worry so much about what I am wearing before I go on a run? Why do I need to sacrifice a cute running outfit just because of someone else’s problem of being a creep? Why do I need to be such on the lookout on every single run that I can’t even focus on my music? Should I make sure I have someone with me every single time I go for a run? It’s unfair. This is the true darkest side of being a woman runner and it is why so many women decide to not run because of the paranoia and safety risks. The fact that we have to carry self protection tools on our runs now thinking about it is pretty insane. Instead of never wanting to run again from this experience, it actually fueled me to keep going and keep motivating other women to get their runs done because we shouldn’t have to sacrifice the things we love just because someone is trying to ruin it for us. I really recommend bringing a friend, family member, or even a running group to run with you on your first couple of runs to figure out if you like the route and if it feels safe enough for you to run alone and stick with those routes only! I believe that the safest time to run is on a Saturday or Sunday morning since everyone is off of work and majority of runners, walkers, or cyclists will be out in the morning too! Thank you for listening to my runner’s diary rant.

#lemon8partner #lemon8diary #lemon8diaries #runnersdiary #runnersoflemon8 #runningmotivation #runningjourney #runnergirl