Be Safe

((Just some jumbled thoughts I wanted to get down because its been on my mind this week.))

Be safe. 

Its something I tell anyone and everyone before we part ways in addition to love you.

The news in the running world coming out of Tennessee this week really rattled me. 

Eliza Fletcher was out for an early morning run by herself and she was abducted and later her body was found near an abandoned building. She was 34 years old school teacher who was prioritizing her health. 

I think the sheer fact that we are both the same age and we both run in the mornings by ourselves(like A LOT of other women) kinda spooked me. 

I don't run with headphones, I run in the first light, I let someone know where I am going and for about how long, I wear bright colored clothes, I am aware of my surroundings. BUT....

On my Tuesday morning run, I was thinking about Eliza and I was hyper aware of my surroundings and any noise made me jump and think 'what was that?!' I was back to my house safely in 10 minutes after my morning mile but ALL DAY LONG it stuck with me- Am I being safe enough. 

I haven't been running that long and the fact this isn't the first time this happened and sadly, it's not the last time either has made me think about how to protect myself. It's scary to think that us, as women cannot go out for a run without literally arming ourselves 

I found the following on Instagram (@memphisnews) and this running community has really rallied behind her and the idea of safety and running as a woman...

This was shocking but also so truthful....

and finally...

Ali from @Aliontherun posted this and it really hit home:

Click to read

I pray for anyone who has not felt safe on their runs and I also pray for the families of those who have gone through what the Fletcher family is currently going through. 

and I will leave you with this.... Be safe.

[[leaving and coming home safely is an underrated blessing]]