tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post5605782872409184313..comments2023-05-16T02:07:08.885-07:00Comments on Following Our Headlights: Why I Sometimes Hate Being a WomanMailehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-69972074962040869032012-04-04T19:51:21.081-07:002012-04-04T19:51:21.081-07:00Yes, Joy, I love the dog idea. While in Nashville...Yes, Joy, I love the dog idea. While in Nashville, I borrowed my brother's dog for my runs and felt completely safe. I know she probably would have whimpered into a puddle if danger surfaced (she's so soft-hearted and sweet) but something about having her by my side made me feel so safe. She's still a puppy so she tended to drag me along, which was nice:) Thanks for chiming in!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-87547928906116074612012-04-04T19:47:52.433-07:002012-04-04T19:47:52.433-07:00Too true, Brenda!Too true, Brenda!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-70331992523148936042012-04-04T18:19:57.291-07:002012-04-04T18:19:57.291-07:00I take my dog with me, and then I feel mostly invi...I take my dog with me, and then I feel mostly invincible. Except for the fact that about 10 minutes in (or less), I'm dragging her to keep up. :)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05860887792107209615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-67425512215183209142012-03-27T18:52:48.824-07:002012-03-27T18:52:48.824-07:00UGH, I get your feeling on this! I take way too m...UGH, I get your feeling on this! I take way too many things on hikes with me - mace, whistles and cell phone, in hopes I won't get raped! It's ridiculous and does it happen that often? NO! But if we don't do these things, we're the "dumb women". Makes me angry too.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18180534884268199362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-36144046784115997892012-03-27T14:51:11.833-07:002012-03-27T14:51:11.833-07:00Oh, Laura, you crack me up. Just thinking of Evan...Oh, Laura, you crack me up. Just thinking of Evan on a clandestine mission to smoke a doobie brought me such a good giggle. Thanks, my friend, and I think the clothing piece is a great suggestion. I need to get some pocketed gear for sure! Love you, girl!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-12157296597554576392012-03-27T14:47:56.227-07:002012-03-27T14:47:56.227-07:00So it is true, Janelle, that the world has gotten ...So it is true, Janelle, that the world has gotten far less safer for women. So sad. But I am so thankful for those instincts that say "don't go any farther". I think they've probably saved us far more times than we know.Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-76556054668861714132012-03-27T14:45:53.190-07:002012-03-27T14:45:53.190-07:00Oh, Janet, what a way to put your injury to good u...Oh, Janet, what a way to put your injury to good use! You might have us all feeling a little envious of your secret weapon;)Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-72980517445576401842012-03-27T14:43:50.389-07:002012-03-27T14:43:50.389-07:00I totally agree, Anne. It's amazing how I can...I totally agree, Anne. It's amazing how I can be plugging along and then a honk completely takes the wind out of my sails. I echo your "Ugh"; no better word to describe it.Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-48694819011079086902012-03-27T14:39:52.983-07:002012-03-27T14:39:52.983-07:00Kara, thanks so much for the app idea. Since I ha...Kara, thanks so much for the app idea. Since I have just entered the 21st century and recently got an IPhone, I'll have to check that out! Thanks for sharing!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-25749599281463781252012-03-27T14:38:32.300-07:002012-03-27T14:38:32.300-07:00Oh, Fer, those are the stories that I just absolut...Oh, Fer, those are the stories that I just absolutely break my heart! Sad, indeed, that our world has come to this. Thoughts and prayers with the family...Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-69468523735769078302012-03-27T14:34:52.189-07:002012-03-27T14:34:52.189-07:00Cathy, that's a great idea! I've actually...Cathy, that's a great idea! I've actually been borrowing my brother's dog for my runs while we've been visiting with him and his family in Tennessee. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm at the point in life where I'm ready to add a four-legged member to our family; I kind of feel like I already have 4 puppies with our 4 kids! Great suggestion, though; thanks, Cathy! (And welcome to the blog!)Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-56012591648232999292012-03-27T14:31:09.231-07:002012-03-27T14:31:09.231-07:00Love the idea of a harder run being the gift; such...Love the idea of a harder run being the gift; such a great perspective! I most definitely ran my heart out that day, the hardest run I've done in a very very long time.Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-39763864141323612982012-03-27T11:28:28.493-07:002012-03-27T11:28:28.493-07:00Oh my word!! I was saying "oh my gosh" i...Oh my word!! I was saying "oh my gosh" in a whispered tone over and over as I read this next to my sleeping baby! My two thoughts- those could have been underage guys going for a<br />Smoke or as my husband did in college-going for a whole different kind of smoke! He did indeed take a walk with a friend one nite on a path in Ashburn in the winter while high on something. So those guys you saw may have been trying to play it cool themselves! Just try to think that if it makes you feel any better! But I will say I would have freaked out too!! Oh and I have a pullover thin jacket by Nike that has a zippered pocket on the back that is perfect for holding a cell phone! Get one of those jackets if you dont already own one! Surely they make shirts like that too so u don't have to sweat in a jacket all summer long! Love ya, Mai!Our Life Version 6.0https://www.blogger.com/profile/14000085815818086259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-34020660961971256802012-03-27T10:34:01.327-07:002012-03-27T10:34:01.327-07:00Well, I run everyday before the sun comes up, at 5...Well, I run everyday before the sun comes up, at 5am & I always take my cell phone, which also features a gps Nike app & clark can track it, If needed. When I run with my friend, she carries mace a lot!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-24598919850260341822012-03-27T08:28:34.051-07:002012-03-27T08:28:34.051-07:00A girl recently got abducted in my town never to b...A girl recently got abducted in my town never to be seen again. Not running, but she's gone. I'm so scared to run by myself, I almost always ask my husband to come along. It's sad that I have to think like that.Ferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08650048257428439934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-36793374972389784502012-03-27T08:02:27.604-07:002012-03-27T08:02:27.604-07:00Ahahahaha! Brilliant. Love it, Janet. :DAhahahaha! Brilliant. Love it, Janet. :DTamara Lunardohttp://tamaraoutloud.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-32427170956051496072012-03-27T07:57:59.345-07:002012-03-27T07:57:59.345-07:00Hi Maile!
I found your blog via Andi. I don'...Hi Maile!<br /><br />I found your blog via Andi. I don't know how well this would fit in to your current situation, but a canine running buddy is one way to run safer...<br /><br />Happy running!<br />CathyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-63188981416633024812012-03-27T07:51:40.553-07:002012-03-27T07:51:40.553-07:00The sad thing is on much less scary runs, gender i...The sad thing is on much less scary runs, gender is still an issue. I can get so self-conscious over whistles and honking horns and the like that my stride gets completely messed up, and my thoughts are anything but stress-relieving. Ugh.Annehttp://modernmrsdarcy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-6939454409749387122012-03-27T07:46:17.328-07:002012-03-27T07:46:17.328-07:00Been there and did the same thing. You reacted exa...Been there and did the same thing. You reacted exactly like I would have... it is one way to get a fast run in :) <br />I do carry a phone with me at all times and when I run alone I try and let someone (usually Jerry) know where/when I'm running. And if I feel fearful in any situation, I pull out my phone and call someone (or pretend to) until I'm pass them... so they think that I'd have help there in a minute. <br />Sometimes afterwards, I feel guilty for not thinking better of whatever men walked past me. But you are right... at times, it sucks being a woman. <br /><br />But since the accident, I do (kinda) feel like I carry protection with me... if a man attacks me, I plan to tell him that my leg has a flesh-eating bacterial desease and the bacteria will jump to any tender skin near it :) Since most men have high regard for their penis... I'm hoping they would turn and run!Janet Oberholtzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10172668433266809905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-34357528326040139492012-03-27T07:38:49.868-07:002012-03-27T07:38:49.868-07:00When I was younger and growing up in the 60s and 7...When I was younger and growing up in the 60s and 70s I used to run forested trails near my home without fear. My running days are past me as I am now in my mid-50s, but I am still a rather avid hiker. Back when we lived in the wilds of Chester County, there was a trailhead through a county park within a few hundred yards of our home. While the thought of walking the trail by myself crossed my mind more than once, my partner warned me not to take the chance. I remember an especially beautiful day when I was home alone and I decided to take a walk by myself anyway. I hiked the first part of the trail which was always very well populated. When I crossed the county road into the less-traveled section, I remember saying to myself "don't go any farther" and I picked up a large stick. It was such a beautiful day that I stayed on the trail along with several other hiker and dog walkers, ending up hiking most of that section. When I turned around, however, the trail was deserted and I hurried back to the county road breathing a sigh of relief when I did. I never did hike the that trail by myself, and now that we live in more populated Lancaster County, I hike the streets of my neighborhood without fear.Janellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05888916591958648726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-80877344525673134642012-03-27T07:34:46.238-07:002012-03-27T07:34:46.238-07:00Amen, friend, to all of it. I've felt the same...Amen, friend, to all of it. I've felt the same range of emotions on runs simply because I'm a woman. It's not fair. We were meant for a world where we can all run safely because no one means to do anyone else harm. But til we get to that world, I carry a little fear with me on my evening runs, and it makes my heart pump a little harder and my legs pound a little stronger; and perhaps that's the gift in the meantime.Tamara Lunardohttp://tamaraoutloud.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-88392148474577937512012-03-27T07:15:58.867-07:002012-03-27T07:15:58.867-07:00Jen, I like what you said: "there is a reason...Jen, I like what you said: "there is a reason God gives us those little voices of warning in the back of our minds." I remember reading the book "The Gift of Fear" many years ago, and it actually came to mind in the above situation. In the end, I realized that there was no reason for embarrassment in the way I reacted; it was just my self-preservation instincts kicking in and that is a gift from God. Thanks for chiming in, Jen!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-49214688101415643092012-03-27T06:45:46.677-07:002012-03-27T06:45:46.677-07:00I have been running for a little over a year now a...I have been running for a little over a year now and I can say that sadly I have had that feeling more than once. When I run I am usually never more than 3 to 4 miles for the house but in the early morning before the sun is fully up it can still be a little creepy. I am grateful for the reminder that there is a reason God gives us those little voices of warning in the back of our minds. So glad your story turned out the way it did.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-22923278076909315922012-03-27T06:19:49.185-07:002012-03-27T06:19:49.185-07:00Wow, now that would be taking protection up anothe...Wow, now that would be taking protection up another notch, wouldn't it!Mailehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09300485438651266678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648820001981213753.post-48061484405718975822012-03-27T05:47:26.809-07:002012-03-27T05:47:26.809-07:00I would look in the hunting/sports department...if...I would look in the hunting/sports department...if you can't find it there ask one of the workers. You could also do what my neighbor did and get a conceal and carry licence ;O)Suzanne S.noreply@blogger.com