freaky feeling

Ok I went for my walk today at our new park. There was only one other person there. not unusual. the difference was he parked in a different spot. a place not really seen from the regular parking spots. he just made me feel very weird and nervous. needless to say my walk got cut short. as i came close to his car he was standing beside it for a bit than sat in it before finally driving off. by this time i backtracked toward my car he left. i was worried the whole time i would get knocked out and raped. i have decided that from now on i will carry my sons little wooden bat and walk the other way so i can face everyone. anyone have any other ideas or experienced this yourself. our park has some out of the way areas. it is also hard for me to find someone to walk with me. thanks and sorry so long

ive had those feelings before. dont second guess them. your gut is telling you to be careful. go get yourself a thing of pepper spray. they are cheap and effective. i got one a few years ago from scheels for 10 bucks and it had a uv dye in it that doesnt wash off. they can come on a keychain and are small enough to fit in your pocket. if you have a martial arts progam in your area i reccomend that also, great exercise and you learn moves to defend yourself with minimal effort. when youre walking make sure its daylight and someone knows where you are and how long you will be gone.

It's a good thing for you to be aware of your surroundings and who else is around ...  A dog is a good walking companion - if you don't have one, does a neighbour or family member have one you can borrow?

I live in a very safe neighbourhood but the trails are remote - so I get how vulnerable you feel.   Maybe consider buying some mace or a really shrill alarm (whatever is legal in your state?).

Don't let these fears stop you from walking - if you think the park is not safe, how about walking your neighbourhood or the mall?

I love walking at our riverwalk because its so serene and shaded if you go during the hot part of the day. But like you there have been times I just didn't feel comfortable. There have been times I encountered homeless people and men walking alone....you can tell the ones there to truly walk and or run....the others make you go hmmm. It definitely makes me leery of going alone. I'm about to the point of joining the gym so I will stop making excuses and the weekends they let my son exercise too. He's 9 and needs it too. I used to carry a big stick or golf club when I walked in our old neighborhood because I was scared of dogs getting loose.

Just wanted to commiserate with you. We have to be careful but dont do like me and use it as an excuse. You're doing great!

Sherry

I second the recommendation for the dog. My dog is a sweet loving goofball but there are certain people he is just leery of. I figure I need to trust him on this as I think animals really have the ability to "read" stuff we humans can't. Also, it sounds like you were wise to be alert to your surroundings. I have heard time and again that women who are confident and alert make less desirable targets because they will put up more of a fight. Did you happen to mention this to police? I have even gotten gutsy with snapping photos of scenes that look sketchy with my phone.

Dogs are good to accompany you on a walk, but a very small dog is certainly not going to me much of a deterrent.

I suggest that my female clients who do not have dogs carry both pepper spray and their cell phone if they routinely walk alone (even in a usually fairly public area). If you see someone who makes you feel uneasy, have your cell phone on and open if it is a kind that opens. Make it conspicuous. You can also call a friend and -- just in case -- give them the plate number off of the suspicious car and a general description of the person, and then stay on the phone with them until you get into your car and get the doors locked (or better yet until you have driven away).

Trust your instincts. Better safe than sorry.

Lora

Do you have a local mall where you could do your walks?  Ours opens an hour before all the stores do and allows walkers to come in.