SHAKING IN MY SHOES

As I was reading Blue Shoe Farm’s post regarding a scary experience while walking with a group, it brings up some feelings I get while walking on a bike and walking trail I frequent.

Since I had a bad experience many, many years ago on a bike path while alone riding my bike, I haven’t been the same since.

Now, when walking alone on a bike path, I always carry my keys in between my fingers, like the Freddie Cougar character. When I hear someone running behind me, I look back to see if it’s an attacker. When a bicyclist tires are heard from behind, which is almost never, I get scared because of the sudden, swift movement alongside me. I usually stay on the left side of the trail, so I can see the oncoming traffic, although people are supposed to walk on the dirt alongside the paved bike trail.

There are homeless people who frequent the trail and I’ve been told they live under the benches and in the bushes at night.

I recently saw a TV program where a homeless person was sleeping on a bench early in the morning and attacked a lady runner who frequented the path every morning at the same time before going to work. She always wore a Walkman. This homeless man kept an eye on her and knew what time and where she ran.

One morning he pretended to be asleep on the bench and as she ran by him, he got up quickly, ran behind her, grabbed her from behind and strangled her with the cord from her Walkman. She was within yards and in view of her own home.

Scary, creepy.

I once met a lady who walked along the main, residential roads in Southern California where there were always houses in view. There were no bike/walking trails in that area and still aren’t. We met while we were both walking alone and started a conversation. She was carrying a form of pepper spray, clearly displayed in her fanny pack, which was turned in front for all to see and ready to pepper spray anybody threatening her. I didn’t ask why she carried that defense mechanism, but I’m sure she also had a bad experience while walking.

Although there are a few homeless on these trails I frequent, I still stagger my walks, varying them at different times of day and before dusk. There are several people on these trails and it would be most unusual if you didn’t see anybody within 30 seconds either walking along, with their dogs, walking alone themselves, or walking in couples or groups.

Still there is a fear that still lingers in my mind, body, and souls of my shoes.