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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would this freak you out?

58 replies

Nectarineorapricot · 17/07/2023 00:29

Hi- I live semi rurally although there aren’t many places to go running as there’s a lot of fields and private property etc. there’s a really large wooded/Forrest area that I go to walk my dog or to go for a run in or sometimes walk through as you can cut through it to get to the nearest shops/bus stop etc. It’s huge and is a mix of fields, a huge kids play park, forrest/woods, a big lake and river throughout it and lots and lots of trees and woodland paths. I always stick to main routes in it but it’s so big that you could easily go through it without meeting anyone, but then other times you meet lots of dog walkers etc. im 24 and have been going there regularly for years now since moving to the area. Im not usually scared or worried but I’ve noticed recently I feel really unsettled going there, I can’t put my finger on why but I feel as if I’m being watched. I usually run/walk with airpods in but they were out of battery once and I was sure I heard someone behind me. I dont what I heard exactly, but I heard something and I know there was someone there. Although there’s sometimes teenagers drinking etc so it could be just that, or maybe someone walking through the trees etc but there was 100% someone there. I kept walking but I heard someone there again about 10 minutes later and I stopped to look but there was nobody. It happened again another time. This, combined with the feeling watched has just freaked me out so much but I don’t know if it’s just in my head and I’m being silly about nothing and I should just ignore it

I could avoid just going there but it’s the only proper way to cut through to the shops/station etc and it’s the only decent place to go for a walk/run/dog walk etc and it seems silly to give it up just for a ‘feeling’ but at the same time I don’t know if it’s in my head and im freaking myself out or not!

Just wondering has anyone got any advice, or experience in something similar? ☺️

OP posts:
SophiaElizabethGrace · 17/07/2023 00:49

It sounds like a lovely area ie lake/forest but I would not use airpods. I would take a dog with me and be aware of who was around me.

I wouldn't stop using the area but I just think that you have to take more precautions.

Fraaahnces · 17/07/2023 00:52

NEVER use bloody AirPods when out on your own. They are one of the biggest risks to your safety you can take. (Obviously dodgy fuckers ARE the biggest risk, but you need to be aware of your surroundings all the time.)

Daffodil63 · 17/07/2023 00:57

So have you got a personal alarm on you at all times and ready? Definitely don't wear headphones. Could anyone go with you a couple of times? Could you talk loudly on your phone or stop and film if you get creeped out? Avoid the area for a bit maybe ?

Totaly · 17/07/2023 01:03

I think you need to listen to your own voice here.

If you feel unsafe avoid the area for a while. Change where you go.

You know when you do stuff your brain is telling you not to and something happens? I think we all have an inner voice we need to listen to.

ChocolateLime99 · 17/07/2023 01:14

I have had similar experience to this and I just stopped running after I had kids (once I felt more of a responsibility to stay alive!!). Nothing ever actually happened but once I got that uncomfortable feeling, I just couldn't feel comfortable jogging there anymore :(

If you want to keep going there can you take another person (ideally male!) jogging with you for a while? Dog also a good idea but wouldn't rely only on the dog. I would also say don't have too much of a routine/always go the same route at the same time of day, if at all possible. And like everyone says, don't wear headphones but I know that sucks, best thing about going running!! Carry a loud personal alarm?!

If you don't have any running friends who you could invite to run with you, could you join a running club or start doing parkun to make some?

Feel for you, it's a horrible feeling!

oakleaffy · 17/07/2023 01:26

DEFINITELY listen to that inner voice.

I walked for decades alone, here and abroad, {rarely with music in ears- you need to hear stuff around you}- If ever I had that warning feeling -I got the hell out of the area.
I did have a couple of blokes follow me {Once as a child in South of France} and once in local fields- and have had flashers.

It gets easier when one gets older- but Mum was attempted to be raped in her forties... She got away by biting the assailant , hard. She was very, very lucky.

That inner feeling is there for a reason. Heed it.

oakleaffy · 17/07/2023 01:30

Look up Elaine O'Hara and Graham Dwyer. Very Beautiful area- A dog walker felt uneasy. As did an angler...Their unease and gut feeling helped solve a terrible murder.

We have a sixth sense sometimes for a reason.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 17/07/2023 01:38

Listen to that feeling.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 17/07/2023 01:43

I’m a listen to your gut kind of gal but at the same to]IME not overly dramatic (walked to the store by myself at 3am in NYC- but have totally avoided an a situation in my own area when something felt off).

I’m only going to say what I would do and you have your own comfort level. I’d probably give the route another go without AirPods in and see how I feel.

coxesorangepippin · 17/07/2023 01:48

Oh god what everyone else said, listen to that feeling

caringcarer · 17/07/2023 01:49

If you don't feel comfortable and think maybe someone was watching you that is enough of a reason to avoid this area for a while or take someone else with you when you go. Also don't stick to the same routes and times as you will become predictable. Try running somewhere else with more people also you can get personal alarms you can put in a bum bag around your waist.

Hawkins0001 · 17/07/2023 01:52

When I go in the woods it's usually quite apart from the usual nature sounds, normally I don't get the feeling of any supernatural activities, usually as far as I'm aware no one is usually around although depending on the area sometimes it's more dog walkers.

LadyJ2023 · 17/07/2023 01:52

I hate seeing people wear pods they then are not aware of any noises around them. But I would be changing my route if I felt out of the blue uneasy

Hawkins0001 · 17/07/2023 01:53

LadyJ2023 · 17/07/2023 01:52

I hate seeing people wear pods they then are not aware of any noises around them. But I would be changing my route if I felt out of the blue uneasy

I never understand music in public as you just don't know.

Mmhmmn · 17/07/2023 01:56

Don't ignore your gut instinct or spidey senses. They're there to protect you and they're telling you it's not the smartest/ safest thing to go running in the woods alone. Yes you could take a personal alarm but the fact is that if someone jumps you, they're taking you by surprise so you're not guaranteed the chance to activate it. You're not doing anything wrong by wanting to go running in the woods - it's just that awful things do happen in such places. As your senses keep telling you.

oakleaffy · 17/07/2023 02:05

Hawkins0001 · 17/07/2023 01:52

When I go in the woods it's usually quite apart from the usual nature sounds, normally I don't get the feeling of any supernatural activities, usually as far as I'm aware no one is usually around although depending on the area sometimes it's more dog walkers.

Supernatural things won't hurt anyone.
It's the living you need to be aware of.

Mumtothreegirlies · 17/07/2023 02:15

I think you need to listen to your gut.
my friend was grabbed as a child when were walking home from school and had just parted ways along a river bank. The man had been watching her walk the route for some time.
dont Use your AirPods, carry an alarm and try and switch up your route if you can.

Dibbydoos · 17/07/2023 02:31

I wouldn't use that run anymore tbh.

I also don't know what sort of dog you have, taking my white GSD out for a walk scared off a stalker I picked when I moved to live on a nature reserve, but if I'd been out with my shih tzu, he wouldn't have blinked an eye...

Take care, don't wear anything tied around your neck, don't wear ear pods or headphones, carry an alarm, share your location with a friend through an AP and carry mace too.

I have a long torch I take with me on walks, it's not just for light but I figure if a runaway dog comes towards my dog or attacks it esp if I'm out with my little dogs, it could be useful to keep a dog off or hit it if needed. Obvs it'd be useful to hit a human too...

SpidersAreShitheads · 17/07/2023 02:54

This isn't especially helpful to you OP - but I'm just sat here reading all the responses and really just absorbing what it's like to be a woman.

Lots of really smart, sensible advice - don't stick to a routine, don't wear AirPods/headphones, make sure you are aware of all your surroundings at all times, go jogging with a man, carry mace, take a big dog with you for protection, listen to your instincts and avoid the area, etc.

A few days ago a male friend of mine INSISTED that there was no need to bang on about women's rights now as there are no real issues for women any more. His politics are usually fairly left wing but he's being a real arse about women for some reason.

Just listening to all the things we have to do, just to try and stop being killed, raped or assaulted....men don't have to tie themselves in knots like this to stay safe. But we absolutely fucking do. And as this post proves - we all know it as well.

Sorry, I know it's a distraction but as a woman who's now in her 40s, I'm only very recently realising just how much I've done my whole life to try and stay safe from rapey, violent men. And I'm realising what we say to our girls, how we pass on similar messages to try and keep them safe. Because what else can we do?!

Obviously there are lots of non-violent, non-rapey men out there. And I'm sorry to those because it must be shit being bundled up with the predatory fuckers. But being a woman is such a different experience - I don't think any man can truly have any concept of how our safety is wrapped up in every tiny decision we have to make.

Anyway, OP, just to add my voice to the many - I completely agree: listen to your instincts. There's often something that your subconscious has noticed that it's trying to tell you if you get that "off" feeling. Don't put yourself potentially at risk because you feel as if you need to be brave. Fuck that. Much better to be certain about your safety and stay clear of that area unless you're with a male companion. Sorry, I know that shouldn't be necessary - it really sucks.

Strawberrypicnic · 17/07/2023 02:58

Please listen to your gut! The fact you said it's a big enough area to pass through without meeting anyone makes me feel a bit worried for you.

Hopefully your runs aren't publicly visible on Strava or similar?

Gizmostar · 17/07/2023 03:31

Sorry but there's no way I would be running alone through a remote wooded area and especially not with air pods. I am the same age as you. I would only go running through populated, built up areas or i just wouldn't go. Aisling Murphy was murdered here in Ireland when she was jogging and that was on a canal path that was reasonably well used. Even when I'm walking in Dublin City Centre I have my wits about me and avoid dark alleys.

tidalway · 17/07/2023 03:40

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Channellingsophistication · 17/07/2023 03:42

Listen to your instincts.

Many years ago I would use a path to short cut my way to work. It was quiet but well used and by some housing. One day I was walking, saw a man coming towards me - I felt uneasy and as I passed him he grabbed my breast then carried on walking… I ran. I think I was lucky. I had earphones in. I should have trusted my instincts and turned back but I didnt.

TheBlinkOfAnEye · 17/07/2023 03:43

Listen to your gut. Can you change your route or do you feel you need to avoid the area altogether? I've left wooded areas a couple of times before when my gut wasn't sitting well and felt something was off.

capercorn · 17/07/2023 03:48

I moved from the country, surrounded by fields and woods because I never felt safe to run or walk anywhere. My husband didn't get it and enjoyed the countryside freely. Now I'm in a town I run through the parks daily and feel totally safe with all the people about. I could never be happy in your situation. I agree with everyone saying trust your instinct.