I am jogging. The weather is good, my pace steady.
Out of nowhere, I get smacked by a huge force from behind which nearly pushes me off the road, instantly followed by a pain in both my hip and elbow. I find myself scolding loudly, while I rapidly try to grasp what the hell just happened.
Something hit me. And the only possible explanation is that it was on purpose. You can easily bike with three people next to each other over the path on which I run. I was running at the very outside of the road and there is plenty of space to pass. There is no other traffic, and you can see people approaching from far, far away.
The thing I try to avoid by all means when running, is to stop because of external circumstances. The only exception being that one time when a house burnt down and a little boy on the road started talking to me.
I slow down and stop.
I turn around and face a guy on a scooter with a neutral look on his face, who also came to a halt by now. The most logical explanation I had come up with in the three seconds that had passed, was that this sicko purposely hits girls with his scooter as an excuse to talk to them, pretending it was an accident.
“Are you OK?” I am on my guard. “What happened?” I ask, clearly not amused by the whole scenario. “I didn’t see you in time. I’m sorry. Are you OK?” That is the lamest excuse ever: how could he not have seen me? My elbow burns. I clearly feel my hip. But I also realise that, in fact, I am quite OK. I am more shocked than in any serious physical pain; “Yeah”. He is wearing sunglasses and I don’t like the fact that I can’t see his eyes, can’t see his response.
*Silence*
“Are you training for the marathon?” “No.” I don’t feel like making conversation. Are you sure you are OK?” “yes” “Ok, well.. Ehm… Hope you have a great weekend despite of this, sorry again”.
As he drives off, I see him focused at his hand and only now I realise that he had had his phone in his hands the whole time. I suddenly understand how he didn’t notice me miles afar if he was so busy texting or doing whatever he was doing while looking at his phone. It made sense now.
I resume running, fairly sure the world is filled with idiots.
Fast forward 20 minutes. I am still running: same path, different direction, heading back home.
I approach a bunch of youngsters who slightly block the way. About five of them, with three bikes. They are standing still and seem just on their way to continue their journey again.
One guy turns around and spits on the ground, just missing my foot. His friend calls on him for not being careful. I am fairly sure that mr. Spit wasn’t aiming at me as he still had his back turned at me one second ago. I will give him that. But seriously guys? What is with all the hitting and spitting today?
I keep on running.
It seems as if the universe is mocking me. Maybe this path isn’t safe for me anymore. Hitting, spitting, shitting. The latter is the only thing left to make this ridiculous run rhyme perfectly. I look suspiciously at some ducks as they waggle over the road. “Please be nice to me”, I think, while I make a lot of space for them. Of course they don’t do anything, because it wouldn’t make sense that every single creature on this path is rotten.
The ducks don’t attack me.
I get home safe and sound. The end.
My story comes with three morals:
1. Just because you have had bad experiences doesn’t mean everyone you meet on your path will do you harm.
2. Not every guy who hits you is hitting on you.
3. Just because a guy has good intentions doesn’t mean you won’t get hurt.
What did you learn from your everyday adventures recently?
Get the FREE E-Course 'Creative ReBootcamp' to Awaken your creative dreams in 5 days!
& receive uplifting updates per email
8 Comments
Jennifer - The Deliberate Mom
October 7, 2013 at 13:30
Oh my! That’s the most action-packed run ever! I have days like this… where everything/everyone seems to align to absolute douchey-ness.
How’s your hip now?
Hoping your future runs/outings aren’t as epic.
xoxo
Magical Daydream
October 9, 2013 at 13:08
My hip is completely fine, don’t feel anything anymore, thank you :)
Helen
October 7, 2013 at 14:08
oh dear, this sounds like an eventful run! I’m glad at least that the ducks didn’t attack you
I think maybe we all need to be more aware of each other
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
Magical Daydream
October 9, 2013 at 13:09
At least the things that happened weren’t on purpose, that makes it a whole lot better
Carolynn Markey
October 7, 2013 at 14:20
Oh, thats TERRIBLE! I’m so sorry. Hugs hugs hugs hugs!! I hope you had a warm cup of tea when you got home. That guy was a jerk for not looking where he was going!!
My prayers are with you.
Magical Daydream
October 9, 2013 at 13:10
Thank you. Actually I was quite fine, also directly after the walk. the fact that nothing REALLY terrible happened made up for what did. But thanks :)
Katherine
October 10, 2013 at 00:50
Aw man, I had a rough run two Fridays ago: It started off so well; I felt fantastic, I was moving at such a great pace, and it was beautiful outside. I decided to run a slightly larger loop further north and further west in the city where I live. About 15min in, my hip flexor/groin started complaining, but I decided to keep going. At one point there was a group of sketchy people blocking the sidewalk. I ran around them, but then one of them started chasing after me and the other people were laughing. That freaked me out. Anyhow, my groin kept hurting, and getting worse and worse. After 30min I was trying to push through the pain and just get home. At 40min I had to walk. About 1km from my house, I could no longer continue walking at all. I had my phone on me, so I called my boyfriend to come with my bike and roll me home. I was on crutches the whole weekend, and I cannot run for another 3-4 weeks :( But, I am OK, I can still do everything else in my life, I can still bike, walk, swim. I just can’t run. And that’s OK.
Magical Daydream
October 25, 2013 at 14:35
Oh no!! That’s terrible! At least I wasn’t really hurt like that… I never run with my cellphone so good for you that you had it with you at least. Hope you are feeling better!