Planning around safety and priorities

                     Safety is something every runner needs to ponder, make decisions about and plan for. Women especially, cannot ignore the enormous topic of safety. Today, while I was in total bliss running 7 miles on the trails of Lake Accotink alone at about half an hour past sunrise, I was trying to figure out a way I could run alone in the woods in the fall/winter season and stay safe. What would I need to each this? What are the dangers I'd need to consider? Are the dangers wild animals, or are the dangers people? Would it be too scary out in the woods in the dark? 

                    The rebellious feminist in me fights even wearing reflective gear for my night runs, yet, the practical survivalist in me wants to make it back home in one piece at all costs, so that part of me is a little more willing to compromise, I do, after all  want to make it home in one piece. In reflecting a few solution, unfortunately, a running partner is not a choice for runs have become my "ME" time. I use my running time to reflect on all that is happening and purge, ponder, make decisions, etc. As the saying goes, "Been there, done that". I already tried a running group and was highly disappointed with some of the women I met. I had one very traumatic experience and after that I have not been able to get past it enough to try the group again. I know, sounds incredibly immature for a 43 year-old, but that is how I feel and I know how I am, it's not easy for me to forget people's outright negative actions towards me. Knowing me, I can almost assure that once I get a bad experience in a relationship I tend to stay away and not give second chances, I have learned that people often repeat their behaviors and keeping those people in our lives is a sure recipe for pain. So the group running idea is O.U.T. for all reasons listed above. 

               Upon further reflection I might just relegate my trail runs to weekends when I can catch the sunrise. In the fall/winter months the sun comes out much later. In the weekdays I am well on the way to work when the sun comes out, leaving me with only weekends. Still, I crave more nature and wish there was some way I could squeeze in some nature in my runs.....maybe I could run on the trails AFTER work, in Arlington, VA, but I would have to be super disciplined and leave work on time on days I do my runs after work, or else, I will never see my kids and husband. 
               
                I have runner friends who don't have children and they can freely carve their day to their hearts' content. I am not envious of their limitless open time, instead, I feel so blessed to be a mom and have this opportunity to see these two young people grow. As much as a part of me wishes I had more time to leisurely triple-plan my running life, I would not trade motherhood for anything, not even more running. As important as running is to me and my sanity, my children will always come before running. I demonstrate this by always doing my long runs while they sleep, so that I make them breakfast when they wake up. I am constantly reminding myself that soon, the time will come when they both fly from us and I will be wishing these mom days back, I better enjoy them while it lasts.