on running afowl

I guess I’ve been fairly lucky; despite hours and hours (and hours and hours) out running over the last few years I’ve only had to deal with a few sarcastic remarks (“why the hurry?”, etc.) and some teens trying to startle me by screaming at me from their car as they drove by. Assaults committed by birds, rather than people, have been my chief safety concern.

Part of my “luck” may be a result of biology. I’m a guy. I’m less prone to dealing with sexual assault of the sort that has taken place along the Bloomington Rail Trail in Indiana or, more recently, along trails in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Or nearly took place in Lewiston, Maine, where a Bates College student escaped any real harm by threatening to call the police.

But recent news from the Twin Cities serves as a reminder that nobody is entirely safe. Just as the lights and traffic along the trails in Fayetteville shouldn’t give anybody a false sense of security, neither should my Y chromosome. “Punks” in and around St. Paul decided to amuse themselves by knocking over cyclists, stealing hats from pedestrians, and tackling runners and joggers. The only good news? Well, fortunately they were dumb enough to not only tape themselves doing all of this but to post it online for everyone, including authorities, to see.

I’m not suggesting paranoia, just common sense. Safe running, everybody.