Hey friends!
All of the crazy stuff that’s going on in my life has gotten me SUPER stressed out. Which makes me paranoid, apparently. It all starts with the fact that I live in the middle of nowhere, and typically run on back roads with no sidewalks, no people, nothing really. Occasionally, I’ll see a car, or a bike rider, but the roads are PRETTY BARREN. Sometimes, I get really freaked out randomly because of a strange car parked in the woods, weird noises, or general craziness and I’ll be convinced I’m going to die. Sometimes, my runs turn into survival missions in my head.. Which sucks. This happened the other day, but was triggered by some guy driving past me a few times and then stopping to ask me where a park was. Let me just say this FREAKED. ME. OUT. It was on the first mile of a four mile run, and I just had to keep going because I didn’t want to go back the way he was, and I didn’t have my phone on me to call my mom.
Stranger danger. Srsly.
On the run, I ran suuuuper slowly around the few houses I knew, and sprinted the rest. At one point, I saw a similar car to his and proceeded to leap in the woods. I will admit I also started crying at this point.
I’m not usually this paranoid I think, but this really freaked me out because I’m so stressed out and crazy about everything. Also, I watched something on the news about girls who just disappear.. Scary stuff. I had blocked this out of my mind, but it does happen, and I don’t want it to happen to me.
Yesterday, I was still freaked out about it, so I made my mom take me to a nearby town to run. After 6.5 miles, I was feeling okayish, but went to call my mom to get me, and she didn’t answer. This caused another freak out which ended horribly.. Basically, I called my mom’s best friend and she said I sounded so scared that she came and got me.
Errr, awkward.
After yesterday’s run, I felt pretty bad. I didn’t understand why I was being so paranoid, and I wanted to be able to run in my normal neighborhood again, where I don’t have to come get my mom to pick me up and be in a strange place. I just wanted normalcy and to not have to worry so much.
Today, I ran my four mile route near my house.
I altered it a bit, so that I actually ran half of my normal 8 mile run, instead of my normal 4 mile run. Usually, I run out to a point and back, but this has been really freaking me out safety-wise. I also brought some mace with me, and remembered to bring my phone.
Oy.
Obviously, I lived. I did get freaked out at one point, but I pulled through it.
I’m still wary after that incident, and I don’t think I’ll be running my normal routes as often as I used to anymore, and definitely trying to change up my schedule more.
Tomorrow, I’ll be running on established running paths, which I’ve done before and feel pretty safe on. But, I’m glad I faced my fear. I think it’s a pretty legitimate fear, but at one point I was paralyzingly scared to go on my run, so I almost just didn’t. I don’t want to live my life like that.. And I hope you don’t either!
Just as a little note girls, it’s okay to be cautious! Unfortunately, there are weirdos out there. 😦 Always bring your phone with you on your runs, and never go out without telling someone.
Anyways, let’s get to the best part of this! I invented a new oatmeal this morning:
Craving this.. Now.
Almond Joy Oatmeal
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup greek yogurt
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp shredded coconut
4 drops stevia
2 drops almond extract
Optional: Chocolate syrup
Make your oatmeal with water, but make it SUUUPER thick. Then, transfer to a bowl and mix in everything except for the coconut. Top with coconut and a pretty chocolate drizzle! Enjoy!
I also made chocolate coconut flour greek yogurt ice cream..
I promise it tastes better than it looks.
Which was delicious and enjoyed while watching Horrible Bosses, which was an absolutely hilarious movie. Recipe for this may be up soon, once I perfect it!
Do you ever get freaked out while running or walking alone? What safety precautions do you normally take? Have you watched any great movies recently? 🙂
I’ll see you all soonish, and be safe!!
Chelsea
PS.. Tomorrow is my last day of being a teenager. GASP.
The Nut Butter Runner 
That oatmeal looks great, but the chocolate should not be optional. 🙂
Happy Birthday for tomorrow 🙂 Your oatmeal creation literally made me drool. That chocolate syrup yummy!
I’ve had a similar experience to you. I choose to run now in the park where I know the regular morning/afternoon joggers, runners & walkers. Also when I do road runs I make sure I stick to the same route and I always let someone know!
I can totally relate to you! I always going running through different trails and stuff, and I always get a little freaked out. But I make sure to tell at least one person where I’m going, and how long I expect to be gone, so they know the approximate time i should be back. Plus I always take my mace and cell phone with me. You can never be too prepared!
Dude that sounds creepy! But your coconut yogurt gloop sure isn’t, man it looks good! 🙂
Happy birthday too girl!!!
First I want to say all this food looks delicious, and I agree ^ chocolate should not be optional!
I have these moments all the time too and it all started with one scary run. I was running through our farm park which has paved paths all throughout. I wanted to go longer one day so I decided to take a turn even though I didn’t know where it led to. Big mistake. The path led down to the state hospital (a mental institution) where some of the “good” patients get free time to sit outside by the creek and eat lunch or whatever. They all stared at me and started making gross comments. I didn’t want to run back past them so I hoped it would loop around but instead it dead ended. I seriously wanted to cry and literally sprinted back to my car. Never again.
Weee Happy Birthday tomorrow! 🙂 And yeah I can understand the paranoia, there are a whole lot of creepers out there! I feel like there is someone out to get me sometimes during early-morning or evening runs.. just because I can’t see very well
And goodness, what a glorious oatmeal recipe!
almond joy oats?!? coconut flour greek yogurt ice cream?!? can you share the recipe for that ice cream it sounds EPIC!!
And yeah, there are some creepers. I used to run this one trail all the time and then some dude followed me home…I jumped into someone elses house and called the police on their phone, so he never got me, but now I rarely run on that trail without a guy friend with me! and I make it a point never to run the same route twice in a row. And I always take my ID with me, safety first!