Pepper Spray: A Subtle Message to Potential Creeps

Last night I had to work a couple hours late, and then I was starving for dinner, so I didn’t get around to running until after it got dark. Have you noticed, by the way, that it’s getting dark earlier? Waaaah!

Anyway, I decided to take my pepper spray along. I feel completely safe in my neighborhood, but that’s what I have it for right?

My spray canister came with a Velcro strap that wears comfortably around my hand so that the can sits right in my palm. Easy access for a quick defensive shot, but I can still use my fingers to start my stopwatch, grab my water bottle, etc.

So I was running along with pretty much no one around for most of the run. Then, a man approached from behind me on his bike and politely said excuse me. I assumed he was just going to pass me, so I moved over waiting for him to go by. But he got closer and asked me a question. I couldn’t understand him since my ears were facing ahead and his voice was coming from behind, so I stopped and let him catch up.

Apparently, he was just looking for directions, so I helped him out.

After he took off, I realized that I had unconsciously scratched my forehead while thinking about his directions request with the hand that had the pepper spray strapped to it. Kind of like I was subtly saying, “Hey buddy. I’ll help you out, but keep in mind that I will cause you excruciating pain if you mess with me!” He looked anxious talking to me and eager to get on his way. Maybe he was late to meet someone. Or maybe he didn’t want hot pepper juice in his eyes. Hard to say.