Recently I signed up for a half marathon and was worried about training and running this one alone. After the tragedy that occurred to Mollie Tibbetts, I am infuriated that women now may be running scared. Yes, we should take precautions when heading out the door but we tend to think, just as I do, “That would never happen to me.” We may live in small and safe communities, but it saddens me that safe and secure is not guaranteed. We should be able to run in safety and run fearlessly, but that’s not the world we live in.
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As a runner myself, there are days that are extremely hot and I am more comfortable running in spandex and a sports bra. Does that give you the right to hoot and holler at me? Absolutely Not. When you see runners wearing clothing like I mentioned it is NOT because they want attention, which many tend to think, which is very ignorant. It is because they are comfortable in that. I’m sorry, I will not change what I wear during my runs to keep others and their nasty comments to themselves. I, just like any other runner, should have the right to run in whatever we are comfortable in.
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I have heard people say, “Well maybe you should wear more clothes if you don’t want to be hollered at, followed, or abducted.” This is what is wrong with our society. We take the blame off of the perpetrators and we blame the victim. We should all have the right to work out in whatever we damn well please and not be bothered. People in our society are focusing on the wrong things and we need to educate people at a young age that we need to respect others with our words and actions and not view others as a piece of meat or something that they can disrespect. Next time you see someone running in spandex and a sports bra, leggings and a tank top, sweatshirt and shorts, or whatever it may be, leave them alone. Allow them to finish their workout uninterrupted and unbothered by you and your derogatory comments and actions.
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What happened to Mollie is terrible and terrifying. This fear will not stop me though from running, neither should you let it. I will keep lacing up my shoes and pushing my limits outside. I will now run this half marathon for Mollie and mark my training runs as #MilesForMollie. I will though be more cautious during my runs and be ready to put up a fight to anyone who attempts to interrupt my passion not only for myself but for Mollie and any other runner who has been assaulted or harassed.
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Continue to run those miles! If you want more information on the #MilesForMollie movement read more here.
