After about a month hiatus from running, I finally got back at it this week.
I ran Baltimore in October when it was still warm and then a Monster Mash 5K a week later, so this run last week was my first "Official" Fall run!
My sister brought me this shirt back from the Chicago Marathon last year and believe it or not this was the first time I wore it! The short sleeves were just perfect for the weather!
I haven't been on this trail in a while so for some reason I was a little frightened. I don't know why because I've run this trail hundreds of times before but I guess it just felt "spookier" now that it is fall.
I ran with only one earbud in so I could stay alert! I continued to take the path through the woods and every one I encountered looked suspicious to me (of course that was all in my head). I saw people walking dogs, other runners, and people walking along the water but when I saw a random guy walking my way from another connecting path in the woods I got nervous. We acknowledged each other with a quick "Hi" and then I picked up my speed so I could get far ahead of him. I didn't feel comfortable knowing he was behind me. And then I thought "O darn, I'm gonna wear myself out by running this fast and if someone attacks me I'm not going to have any energy left to fight back". I don't know why I always think the worst when I run! I was far enough ahead of the random guy and I never saw him again.
After that I slowed down and got in a comfortable pace. I enjoyed running on all the fallen leaves and hearing them crunch beneath my feet. Aww, this run just felt so refreshing! Now I know why people love Fall Running! At one point I almost lost my way (yes, on this trail I've run hundreds of times before) because the paths were all covered with leaves and I didn't know which way to turn to go on my normal route. My Garmin died before I was done with my run, but because I know how far my usual route is, I know I ran over 3 miles. For my first run in a month, I was very pleased.
Once again, I did not run a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving and its too bad too cus it was a beautiful day for one on. One of these years I'll run it! It was a nice day on Saturday too so I got out for a little run then too. Maybe this week I'll get back to running regularly so I feel prepared to run a Christmas race if I want to. -M
Do you have a running route that seems "spookier" at certain times of the year?
Glad you got back out for a run! This is such a great time of year for running. I only feel like some areas are spookier when it's dark out. So in the mornings I usually try to stay close to home where it's well lit!
ReplyDeleteYea if I ran in the mornings i'd do that too!
DeleteI hate feeling spooked when I run, and I've had the same thought as you - if I run too fast, I will wear myself out and won't be able to escape the bogeyman!
ReplyDeleteHaha, i've thought that more than once!
DeleteSometimes I get spooked on a run--I like when I can put some space between me and the creeper. I hate that feeling!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was all in my head that he was a creeper!
DeleteI've got a couple of routes that depending on the time of day makes me feel a little nervous - never a good feeling!
ReplyDeleteI have a really good friend who spooks herself out anytime she runs alone.
ReplyDeleteI love your personalized "Just do It' t-shirt!
ReplyDeleteNever really thought about routes being spookier. I guess they're all more inviting in spring!
ReplyDeleteI do love me a turkey trot, though. :)
YES my whole neighborhood was spookier right before the time change when it was PITCH BLACK on my morning runs! I haven't run in the morning in like a week due to being off for the holiday... I wonder if it will be dark again.
ReplyDeleteI run in my neighborhood, but I'm not comfortable running it when we fall back an hour. I always feel that way when we hit late fall running, and I run inside on the treadmill. It's boring, but it's safe.
ReplyDeleteI think the fallen leaves must have given your trail the extra spooky affect. There is one 2 mile road that I run occasionally that is isolated enough that I think Bigfoot is going to walk out of the woods! I don't run it in the dark any more. It's good to see you running again and I love the shirt! Thanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteI usually run without music so that I am aware of what's going on around me, I always think the worst when I'm out running! Now that it gets dark out so early, I run with running groups because I don't think I could handle the dark on my own!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful trail you get to run on!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how we can get in our heads and spook ourselves out...I'm sure you were okay during the daylight!
Glad you're back to running!
Too bad for the spooks! I have not had any "crunching leaves" on any of my runs this fall. The one time I was on the trail around the lake, it was too early for fallen leaves. All of my other runs have been on streets or sidewalks. I'm jealous!
ReplyDeletethere are some parts of our trail that I would not go on by myself. Better safe than sorry for sure. Super cute shirt!
ReplyDeleteI have had this same kind of experience running on a trail (feel like I could have written this!). It's not easy running solo, but I always loved my trail runs.
ReplyDeleteI'm always too busy in the kitchen to do a Turkey Trot. I try to get out for a run before I start baking, though. I don't run on trails usually, but I can see getting lost with the leaves covering the trails!
ReplyDeleteI start to think about the worst at times on the trails too! There are less people out there running in cold weather so that's when they seem spookier to me. I feel like the trails around here are pretty populated in the Spring and on Summer mornings.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like everything is darker in the fall, but now with Christmas lights everywhere, some paths will be a little brighter, which is so wonderful! until they all get taken down again in January.
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE your shirt!!!
ReplyDelete& yes, when its deer hunting season, I get really nervous running in the woods around my house . with my pony tail flapping in the wind... yeah - I wear bright colors - & still hear all the gun shots around & hold my breath
I've never done a true turkey trot either! Not many runners in my family, so a turkey trot seems boring to do by myself!
ReplyDeleteI get spooked now that it gets darker earlier. I don't like to run alone in the dark. Plus I don't blame you for getting spooked with unknown guys. It's sad that as women we have to be so alert and aware of these things, but the truth is this is the world we live in now.
ReplyDelete