Recently, a horrible tragedy has hit the USA specifically, the state of Iowa. Mollie Tibbetts, a young lady who had so much more life to live, was murdered while running. When I found out they found her body and that she was attacked while running, I felt like throwing up. As a runner, I realized Mollie could have been me or any of my friends who frequently go on runs. Of course, I have read now at least a dozen news articles about how women can protect themselves while running and safety precautions.

Now, while I am flattered that people are so concerned about my fellow women who run I am also angry. I am angry that we are even talking about how women can protect themselves when we should be asking ourselves, “how can we stop males from feeling they can take advantage of any women?” This tragedy, is now another “women issue” when this is not a women’s issue but a male entitlement issue.

I have been running for 13 years and don’t plan on letting this event stop me from running. I am not going to let myself stop the thing I love the most and become afraid. When we let ourselves become afraid we are letting them win. I did not know Mollie, but I believe she would want us to continue to run and stay strong but let others know things need to change. Below you will find my 5 things runner’s worry about but shouldn’t have to during a run.

1.Fear of Running Alone

Even before Mollie’s death, I always told someone I was going for a run. I would jokingly tell my boyfriend that if I’m not back in a 3 hours something horrible happened and he should probably go look for me. I think I always said it as a joke, not because it’s a joking matter, but because it’s so horrifying that if you think about it too much it prevents you from wanting to go for a run.

I am a proud introvert and running alone gives me a sense of peace that I don’t always get when I’m running with others. However, every time I go by myself I always think of what would I do if something bad were to happen. I think all female runners think of places on their route they can go for help if they need it but we shouldn’t have to do this. We should not have to fear that someone is going to attack us but we do because it has happened too many times.

2. Being Ran off the Road

When I go visit my parents in rural Illinois, I run on country roads. I have been running a long time and know the rules of the road such as you run facing traffic. There have been a number of times by myself and with friends where a car will try to “scare us” and drive as close to where we are running as possible even when we are way off the road. The worse case was this male teen practically drove his truck into a ditch just to freak us out and sped away laughing.

I know not all drivers are ass holes to runners. I have had some great people wait while another car passes so that I didn’t have to run into a ditch. However, there has been so many times the car has plenty of room to get over but they don’t. We should all be able to share the road with runners, walkers, bikers, and vehicles.

3. Getting Things Thrown at You

One day I was running with a friend and surprise, another male threw a bag of almonds at us. Now, we joke about making a band called Death by Almonds but what gives people the right to throw objects at you? We weren’t in his way and were minding our own business but apparently he couldn’t mind his. Another friend had a person spit at them from a car for no apparent reason. There has also been cigarettes flung at runners from careless people who litter. It’s inconsiderate and rude.

4. Worrying about what you are Wearing

In high school, I remember it being super hot and the current administrator got mad that some of the cross country girls were running in sports bras. Many argued that the boys were allowed to run without shirts so what was the difference? It all goes back to females getting more scrutinized for what they are wearing. We shouldn’t have to worry about how short our shorts are or how we look in leggings when running. The clothes we wear should not dictate the attention we get. The clothes were made to run in not so people could make comments or stare. Which brings us to number 5.

5. Catcalling/Other Unnecessary Comments

The one thing that bothers so many female runners, and just females in general,is the catcalling. I have been called a bitch many times for ignoring males who make unwanted comments while running. People shouting profanity from a distance, people running up and shouting sexual comments from close by. It doesn’t stop and it has happened to most women I know. I don’t know of any person who met their significant other because they were catcalled and spoken rudely too while out in public. It makes no sense and until there are consequences for it I don’t think it will ever stop. Fortunately for me, I have only had to deal with the comments and not any physical altercation but catcalls are usually the start of something worse.

Women are not objects. Men are not entitled to speak however they want to a women or use them to their advantage. These cases like Mollie’s, are not a women’s problem. It is a male problem and until males start speaking up nothing will change. We are strong but we need allies from our male counterparts that can advocate for us as well. 

Every time I run now, I will think about Mollie and those who have also been victims during a run. It will not make me fearful, but instead give me strength to keep on with the run. Speak out and be brave. Run for Mollie. Run for change.