Things that legitimately scare me about running




Running is a scary thing! I don't just mean scary in a sarcastic way. I mean scary as in you never know what is going to happen.  As a runner out there on the open road, trail, or even a race, you are in a very vulnerable position. You have miles of the unknown ahead of you.

Here are 5 things that scare me the most about running.



1. The dreaded bathroom breaks.  Seriously, I am SO WORRIED that I will have to excuse myself from the race course to make a bathroom break!  The only race I've had to make the bathroom stop at so far has been the WDW marathon last year. This didn't really bother me because I wasn't "racing" that race. I am determined to meet my marathon goal next year (or come as close to it as I can) and there is NO time for bathroom breaks.  I am not kidding you when I say that I have stressed over this.

2. Being still. Last year when I was preparing to run Disney's Tower of Terror race, I worried that I would get to the start line and not be able to move. I worried that I wouldn't be able to run so I would just have to walk. I think this had to do with the fact that this was the first race I was running post injury. I was running it by myself and it was in the dark. A lot of "firsts" for me.  I think it was just nerves setting in. Turns out, that was one of the best races I've ever run. I didn't have to worry about not being able to run. As soon as the fireworks went off, my legs started moving!


3. This creeper van!  On my training runs (and walks) this summer, I have seen this van in the parking lot at my favorite park. I end up seeing it at least once or twice a week. I see it every so often parked in different places around town and I have quickly named it " the creeper van".  In the year 2015 no one should be driving a van like this unless they are doing an After School Special on "Stranger Danger"

4. Wild animal encounters. Yes, I 've seen my fair share of deer. After experiencing the attack of the snorting deer on my trail run, I can't say that I don't get a little nervous when I see them now.   However, I am extremely nervous about encountering bear.  When my husband and I first moved to the area, we use to take our Weimaraner for walks on this wooded path near our home. It is a legitimate path/ dirt road but it doesn't get used often.   Anyway, one night Scott and I saw a bear running into those woods where that trail is.  I had since forgotten about seeing that bear.  A few years later, my mom and I decided to go for a run. Because we wanted to stay close to home, we opted to run on the wooded path by my house.  About halfway into our run I told my mom the story of how we once saw a bear here.  As soon as those words came out of my mouth my heart started racing and I got so nervous. OMG what if we see a bear up here now.  I can honestly say that I have never been so scared on a run before.  I kept asking my mom "what should we do if a bear chases us"?

5. The Injury.  Even when all the training runs go great, there is no guarantee that a pesky injury wont show up on race day.  This happened to me during the WDW half marathon this year.  I started the race pain free. In actuality I started to get a tear in my eye because I could not believe I was actually doing the race and had no pain!  Well that didn't last long. As soon as I crossed the 5K timing mat, it was all over. The severe pinching from my IT band re-surfaced and a lot of limping took place from miles 3.1 to 13.1.  You just never know what's going to happen on race day and that my friends is what scares me the most!

Can you relate to any of these fears?  -M

 
We are linking up with the lovely ladies from the Friday Five.

41 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness. I'm all freaked out now. I don't want you anywhere near that van! It looks like some is just sitting in there! I don't think we have wild animals here? lol kidding. I did cross a dear once by a creek and also a cow up in Napa. Your situation seems a bit worse. Stay safe. What really is scaring me right now is your last one! The injury coming back! Let's make a deal...we'll both be fixed for good! We don't have time for injury!!!

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  2. I am always worried I will have the urge to make a mad dash to the port o pottie in a race. I have had it happen a few times in a race I hate it. I literally just see the clock ticking adding minutes to my time.
    As for the van, definitely agree creepy! Hopefully its harmless, but just to be safe run on the opposite side of the street that its parked :)
    Animals are one thing that don't bother me, in fact I consider myself lucky if I do get to see them. I have run side by side right under the antlers of a big bull moose (not even kidding ) but my coolest I once crossed paths with a mountain lion on my run. I find most animals are far more afraid of me then them:) Haven't come across a bear on a run though, as long as it was at a safe distance and I didn't surprise it I think it would be cool. Lol

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    1. I always thought animals were more scared of us then we are them until I encountered that snorting deer! I would love to have seen a Moose (from a distance) but I know a mountain lion would just freak me out!!!!

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  3. Those are all legit fears! I have to force myself to be rational sometimes when running and remember that I am mostly very safe!

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    1. I really do try to run in safe places but those fears are always in the back of my mind!

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  4. I get it! I've encountered foxes, a pack of coyotes and yes the creeper van. I take memorize license plate numbers, how's that for paranoid?

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  5. That is a bit of a creepy van. Have you thought about reporting it? Better to be safe and mention it to someone.
    Injury is what scares me the most, I am just always getting injured :(

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  6. I really do hope that you are actually scared of that creeper van and never go near it! heeby jeebies!

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  7. Omg just looking at that van gives me the creeps! Are you still encountering that van now that its no longer summer? Or does it seem to be a permanent fixture at the park?

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    1. I've seen that van at all different times and at different locations.

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  8. Oh yea that creeper van should scare you!! We saw a creepy ice cream truck recently (it was hand painted and had stuffed animals bungee-corded to the roof...yea...) and it definitely made me uncomfortable. It was one of my long runs when Adam rode his bike with me and I was so grateful he was there!! -C

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    1. I am definitely less nervous when I have scott biking along side off me! That ice cream truck does sound creepy!

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  9. I definitely have all of these fears! I'm especially afraid of having an accident during a race...that would be SO embarassing!

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  10. I worry about the bathroom stuff too especially during a tri race but so far so good! I also fear the injuries bc I have had a few the last 2 years.

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  11. I've been there with my injury, but wildlife is interesting. I've had geese hiss at me on a walk and turkeys are hostile creatures. It's funny that I don't think about actual predators. Geese, turkeys and moose seem more dangerous when I'm in Colorado. Thankfully, we don't have moose in Dallas.

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  12. I'm laughing about the After School reference! I ran into (pun intended) a HUGE pig/boar while running in the Virgin Islands. Freaky. I saw him several days but I think he ended up being someone's pet. I worry most about injury - and lo and behold that occasionally happens. Boo! But not always!

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  13. Injuries are always my #1 running fear. But lately, I've encountered a few snakes on my outside runs which have made me a little more anxious when running through certain area of my neighborhood too. I'm trying to be more observant!

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  14. Ok, that creeper van is scary! What is it up to? And I'm worried about wildlife encounters too. I just saw an email yesterday about runner being attacked by an owl on a local trail!

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  15. that van IS really creepy. boo. and while i don't worry about bears here in dc there are all kinds of wildlife on our trails that freak me out.

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  16. I so relate to all of these!!!!
    Knocking on wood - I've never had to use a bathroom in a porta-pot during a race. I've found real toilets :)
    I've had a creepy van show up the past few runs in the parking lot where I run ... I took a photo of the license plate & sent it to my husband in case I went missing.

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  17. So can relate to this. I get worried about the needing the bathroom break.Not as much as the needing to stop but more of the needing to stop without there being facilities. Creeper van is not cool. If you have a van like that, but should have a company delivery logo on it (or a awesome painting out of the 90s on it).

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  18. I am afraid to run by myself, pretty much anytime...daylight, or in the early morning darkness. I used to run in a park that had a couple of isolated, creepy spots, so my running buddy and I devised a plan, should a creepster set upon us (it involved her going all Krav Maga on him while I ran to the emergency phone station...yes, in retrospect we should have just carried our cell phones, but this was six years ago).

    My most recent running fears involve a dog coming at me, and now, sadly, a freaking random machete attack. Gah, what is this world coming to??

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  19. I always use the restroom during races-i just always hope i can do it without having to wait too long. during my marathon last sunday, i was able to use the restroom 4 times (even though i was so dehydrated) and never had to wait in line!

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  20. I have to take bathroom breaks. I am that girl. I hate it but have learned to accept it. I took two bathroom breaks during the Chicago Marathon on Sunday and while I hated it I knew I didn't want the discomfort. I am hoping that as I get faster I won't need any breaks. Ain't no body got time for that! I had to giggle at the Stranger Danger van. It's laughable, but also so scary!

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  21. Well, bears are not an issue where I run, though I'm a little concerned about that van. That is a real potential danger for a runner. By the way, during my PR marathon I had to stop twice to pee. I just went as quickly as possible, and picked up the pace for a little bit after I finished. I think in the end I saved time because running when you have to go really can slow you down. :-)

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  22. Creepy van! I'd definitely be scared of it! I am amazed that you've only had to take one bathroom break before! That's got to be a record! I've seen mountain lions, bobcats, and snakes on my runs before and I usually run away from them quickly! :)

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  23. the fear of the porta potty ranks #1 for sure- that whole bathroom break takes lots of planning and strategy! Cute post!

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  24. I can relate to all of those. In particular, the creepy van, injury (because I AM injured and it sucks), and wild animal encounters. ACK!!!!!!

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  25. Do not fear the bathroom break! I am going to tell you some things that may be TMI for you but I don't care. I am drinking a dirty martini right now so I am going to let my freak flag fly. It is all the truth.

    I have ducked off into trees/woods on training runs MANY times to do #1 AND #2!!!!!

    During races, I have ducked into the woods or simply behind a port of john to pee. Yes, I have peed in front of people before and I don't care. I was chasing a PR. I did not have time to wait in the line for the bathroom.

    Have you ever tried to pee standing up just by moving your shorts over to the side?

    You can do it, Merenda!!!!!

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    1. Oh and I have to add that I stopped to pee at least once during EVERY race I did that was a 1/2 marathon or longer.

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  26. I have all of these fears except standing still. And one other fear...the dreaded ummm...GI issues.....

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  27. Oh yes, the creeper van I have experienced. Definitely a fear of mine!

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  28. All of these are horrifying. OMG what is going on with that creeper van?! Lately I have been terrified of the geese along my running path. They are afraid of NOTHING and hiss at me as I pass a few feet away. I am waiting for one to lunge at me!

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  29. OK that van is creepy as hell.

    I kind of worry about everything on race day. My new obsession is my ipodad dying. I'm coming up with like 3 music backup plans. Lol.

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  30. That van....so much creepiness right there. Not sure I have any real "fears" on race day...I think I've had just about everything happen to me-unplanned pit stops, injury, ipod dying, garmin dying, you name it! I've learned to just go with the flow, LOL!

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  31. Those all are scary but the van is the worst. You've got to figure out what it's up to! One of my fears is getting stuck in traffic or not being able to find a place to park before a race - which happened at the Hot Chocolate 15K years ago.

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  32. I seriously never thought about my running fears but that van... :o
    I haven't run races so long I needed to go to the bathroom but I'm sure I would freak out about my time too!
    My biggest fear is that I trip on someone's feet and we both go down and then everybody steps on us and I create this huge pile of injured bodies.

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  33. My biggest fear is the guy hiding behind the trees in the park to attack me! I read a lot of true crime books and am obsessed with Law & Order, so it just seems like a very real possibility to me, even when running in broad daylight! But, year, I'd have to say injury is a close second...I think we're ALL afraid of that one!

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  34. Yes, running at night, tripping and falling, and pretty much any injury are all on my list for sure.

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