When I wrote about the fear I have to stare down every time I get on my bike, I was struck by Carla’s comment about how she feels the same way about running. Running? How can you be afraid of running?
I will let Carla tell you about her running worries, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are some aspects of running that scare me.
First, I have to explain what doesn’t scare me. I am not afraid of losing (since I never win). Or having to walk during a race (there’s no shame in that). Or quitting (which Steena proves can be a wise decision). So, that’s why my initial reaction was to wonder:
What is there to fear about running?
But then I thought about getting injured. One misstep can cause a bloodied knee or twisted ankle that sidelines me for days. One speed interval too many can lead to weeks of rehab from my cranky ITB. So, I can see that a running injury is something to be afraid of.
Thoughts of self-inflicted injuries led to thoughts of the Virginia women who were hit by cars (and killed) while running this past winter. One of them was running in her neighborhood early in the morning, and hit at an intersection. Another was hit by a drunk driver (yes, in the morning). These tragedies remind me that having a healthy fear of cars can be a good thing, especially if I keep in mind that drivers might not be paying attention or expecting pedestrians to be out so early in the morning.
Last week also brought reports of attacks on women running in their neighborhoods or on popular trails in broad daylight. (This article from Run Washington maps the area incidents since 2010.) The police remind us that it’s safest not to run alone, but I can’t always coordinate or participate in a group run. I try to take other precautions, stay aware of my surroundings, pay attention to my gut, and steer clear of certain areas, but I know I’m not completely safe.
Sadly, I think the one thing I really fear when I run–in the same adrenaline-rushing way that I fear steep hills on my bike–is whether that person up ahead is going to try to hurt me.
Is there anything about running that scares you?
Do you worry about walking or running in your neighborhood alone?
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I do not worry about my neighborhood, but sometimes I’m in secluded areas on route to other neighborhoods. That I worry about. I definitely avoid traffic and really busy times on the roads. One can never be too safe.
hmmm.
for me it is twofold.
HURTING MY PIRIFORMIS and HURTING MY PIRIFORMIS 😉
Well, I won’t argue with that! Piriformis can be cranky!
I don’t fear running in my neighborhood but I do run with MRTT most of the time. I do fear not finishing a race or having to walk. Although I’ve told myself that it’s ok to walk I don’t really believe it is true for me. I’m really good at telling other people it’s ok for them though. Sad but true.
We do tend to be much harder on ourselves. It really is ok to walk, or stop.
I worry about cars more than people. But do try to stay aware of my surroundings and trust my gut. It’s the cars and distracted drivers that sneak up on you that are the scariest.
Since I usually do my long runs on the bike path, cars aren’t such a big threat, but I do have to remember that cars turning right are looking left, not at the running in the crosswalk to their right.
all valid points and definitely some things I sadly feared back when i was running a lot.
I don’t fear running in my neighborhood (and I’m in the HOOD), but I do worry about getting injured and not being able to get help. I run with my phone so that I can call if needed. I probably should be more scare of running in the hood. Last winter we bought a treadmill so that I wouldn’t have to run in the dark. Running in the dark is pretty much my only running no-go.
I guess I’ve never worried about getting that badly injured, although I did fall once and have to walk/jog home 2 miles with blood dripping down my elbow!
It’s kind of ironic that you posted this post .. I’ve been feeling actually pretty fearful of running ever since my DNF. We all have insecurities!
I can definitely see how that would impact me, but you know you made the right decision! You could have finished, it just wouldn’t have been worth the price. And, really, I think that is the hardest “right” decision to make.
I have the same fear of wondering if someone will attack me. I ran on a trail alone once andjust felt uneasy and paranoid the whole time so I don’t do it anymore. I also saw that post about attacks in DC…so scary!
I do think the most important thing is to trust your gut. Not that it can guarantee your safety, but if you don’t feel good about a situation, it’s definitely not worth the risk.
For me it is the fear of failure (going back to your post on progress not perfection). I think failure is the fear in trying pretty much anything that involves some sort of risk and I’m currently trying to deal with my running failure!!
Oh, no! But when you say HUGE goals learning that you will have to strive for them a little bit longer will just make it that much sweeter when you nail them. (((hugs)))
Running doesn’t scare me, no……. It’s just, I am such an elliptical NUT JOB, that I could never cheat on my fabulous machine! 😉
I am definitely afraid of a lot of the same things with running. I especially fear running alone. It seems especially hard for me these days to run with people. I try to do all of my long runs in a group or at least with one friend so as not to go it alone.
YES!!!!!! You can be afraid of running.
I’ve had so many injuries–some that lasted several years in fact–and that can make running scary! It’s hard to LET GO of that fear and not over-analyze every single twinge and ache. I’m currently in that “fear” state. I’ve gotten over my runner’s knee (that lasted 2 years) and am back running and cycling. So far so good but it makes me so paranoid when I feel an ache!
I have never really thought I was scared of running, but I do remember in college being scared to run at 5-6 in the morning by myself on the trails downtown, because I knew it wasn’t the safest neighborhood and there was always bums laying around some even tried to grab me. This was the only time I really felt scared of running.
I have been scared in races that I won’t meet my goal time, but I think this is my type A personality.
I don’t know if it is that I am becoming more involved in the running community than I have been in years past but there seems to be an increasingly high amount of runners being hit or attacked lately.
I am also afraid of disturbing my IT band too!
I’ve had a couple of near misses with cars that would have ended badly if I hadn’t had the policy of assuming that cars don’t see me. I have been run off the road on more than one occasion in my neighborhood from drivers who were clearly texting! Great tips and thanks for linking up with us!