grizzly from Maine??? I am from NH originally, Winnepesaukee area.

Only thing I have to worry about when I ran on my land is rattlesnakes, copperheads and a occasional blacksnake, oh yes, I forgot the skunks....and cactus !

When I am on the trail, I feel safe there, even though I will start at " 0 Dark Thirty"....I'll run in the dark,and really not afraid to do it...
.......I have encountered coyotes, bobcats, deer and armadillos and possums,crossing the path...
There are mountain lions out there toward the state park, but have never seen or heard one yet...


ML....
Weatherford,TexasUSA

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www.crosstimberscustomrods.com[/URL" target="_blank">

I had my first scary happening ever yesterday afternoon...

My family and I went to a local festival. They had lots of bouncy houses, games and pony rides for the kids. We went with another mom and her 2 kids. Her husband is in Kuwait right now. We all ordered funnel cakes just before the vendors were closing down and we ate at a picnic table next to a playground. It was such a perfect gorgeous day and it was so nice to sit outside and talk while the 4 girls played on the playground. There was a young tall man that was playing tag with the girls on the playground and I just figured he was being nice. Well, when he tagged DD#1, he grabbed her arms and wouldn't let go of her for a few seconds. DD#1 ran straight for me and he followed her. I told him not to do that anymore. Well, he continued to play tag with them and he started to scare the girls and DD#2 came running to me. He followed her and continued to scare her. DD#2 told him not to do that and he wouldn't stop and I told him to stop it too. He didn't, so DH got in front of his face while me and the other mom took the 4 girls away from the playground. We walked over to the closest vendor who was packing up. Since the festival was closing down, almost all the people were gone. I wanted to be around someone else. Well, the guy walked away from DH and we thought he was going away, but he walked straight up to us and the vendors and I told him to go away. He wouldn't go away. DH was right behind him and he told me to call the police. I had my cell phone in my pocket. As I reached for my cell phone, the man got on his bike and took off for good. Pretty scary, huh? I am so glad DH was with us. I didn't call the police, but the vendors who witnessed what had happened called the police on their cell. DH talked with the police and gave them a description of the man. I've been to that park with the girls before when it was just us. It will make me think twice before I go to a park by myself again.

quote:<HR>Third time, about 5 years ago. I became aware over the course of a few weeks of a sense that I was being followed. At the time I mostly ran little loops around my house because of the hills in my immediate neighbourhood. It started to bother me, this sense that someone was watching me... but I couldn't see anyone. Then finally I caught sight of someone running along behind me about 100 metres back. I started to make weird turns and couldn't ever shake the person. It creeped me out, and so I laid a plan to duck into the bushes on the corner of my street and surprise the person.

When I did it turned out to be a woman who collapsed sobbing into fits of "Don't hurt me!". I asked her why the heck she was stalking me and I think I offended her. She was afraid to run in the dark and saw me running and so tagged along... oblivious to the fact that I was a bit scared myself. I offered to run with her and gave her my email address, but I never saw her again (Thank God).[/B]<HR>

That is one spooky and funny story! I'd venture to guess that everything balanced out in the universe, between her following you for weeks and your one big moment of surprise.

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Dull Reading[/URL" target="_blank">

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Grizzly:
Unfortunately pepper spray is illegal here...<HR>

Well, if a client said that to me, I would respond ?bring the pepper spray on your runs, and if the guy who tries rob or assault you sues for damages I?ll defend you for free.?
MG

Here is something that started scary and ended up being a HOOT. When I was in elementary school... So like 25 years or more ago... I was getting ready to go to school with my mom when all of a sudden we here someone trying to get in the house through the front door. they are like banging on the door and trying to pull it open. My mom and I totally freak out and look out the window to see this guy riding off on his bike. So my mom calls the police and I go off to school... anyway the polic come by and get a description from my mom, 20 minutes later they call her and say they think that they have found him and ask her to ride in the car and pass the suspect slowly. So she does and it is the guy. The police them inform her that the guy is a deaf mute, and his sister lives like 5 houses up the road and he thought our house was hers.... OMG we seriously laughed about that later. At the time thought it sure was freaky to have someon trying to break in!!!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by GeekRunner:
Wow, running in the city with traffic lights and sidewalks crowded with meandering pedestrians doesn't sound so bad after hearing about the perils of running in deserted areas =:-o<HR>

no joke.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Grizzly:
And if I get stopped by the cops carrying?<HR>

What if it's a can of bear deterrent. I believe that is kosher up there, no?

While more of a last line of defense, a kubotan[/URL" target="_blank"> is better than nothing. Be sure to check local laws of course.

-- Lew