Fitness Walking: Overcoming Fear in Your Neighborhood

7:51

7/20/17

I remember back in January when I promised myself that I would get in shape so that I could work on making my dreams come true.  I wanted to become a backpacker so badly and I wasn't about to let my size, fitness, gender, age, or lack of a training partner to be an obstacle.  I was ready to start fitness walking.

There was different kind of issue that I hadn't considered until I got myself ready to go outdoors and start training...and that was my city.  I live in an area that has made #1 on some really bad lists...like "murder capital of the US" and "#2 poorest city in the nation." Now, I don't normally feel nervous about living here, but when I started to go out walking on my own I have to admit that this bit of information more than crossed my mind.  As a matter of fact, I had to take some steps to make sure I felt ok about the following things: 

• Trekking through neighborhoods where there might be people who didn't have fences strong enough to keep their dogs from eating me, in a city where so many pit bulls are abandoned that we need special fostering and adoptions to make sure they aren't all put down.  I worried that people might not be careful about not letting their dogs out to roam on their own.
• Venturing out when it was possible the only others walking around were homeless people with serious drug addictions or mental illness.
• Walking on a local fitness trail that gangs had taken over at night.

So I began by walking with a few things that I though might help me.  The first thing was a stick that I had taken with me on several hikes already, like the Grand Canyon, the Narrows in Utah, etc.  The stick was hollow, so it really didn't offer that much protection but I figured I might be able to scare off or push away any attackers...human or not.

I'm pretty sure I looked like a crazy lady walking around with a staff like Moses', but it got me outside.  I hoped that if people saw the pins I had on the stick, pins I bought at National Park gift shops, that they would realize that I was just someone out walking...and not someone who had delusions of parting the Red Sea.










I also found these "kitty" type knuckles that are made out of a hard plastic.  That, with a container of pepper spray that fit on a key ring...and I had found my confidence.  So, I started walking...for miles.
As I started to walk month after month, further and further as each week passed, I began to meet people... really nice people.  I discovered that I had neighbors that were really nice, really responsible, and really interested in what I was doing.  This is not to say that I couldn't have chosen a bad neighborhood to walk in and found that I was less welcome, but I did purposefully choose a route that would be the best one available.



It wasn't long before I started leaving the stick home.  I started leaving the "kitty knuckles" at the house too.

• On this route I have not encountered one loose dog in the almost 7 months I've been out there.  
• I have not even seen one gang member (I don't know, maybe they don't do mornings!) 
• There has not been any negative encounters with homeless people.  The biggest issue I had was being mistaken for a homeless person...and realizing out how badly they are treated...but that's a story for another day.

It turns out that most of my fears were exaggerations of reality, at least where I live, at least so far.

 I felt a bit embarrassed about being so extra careful when I started...but I'll never regret that I did what I had to, to get myself on track with accomplishing my goals.  It got me started. I feel that not only am I closer to hitting those longer trails, like the Camino de Santiago, but I know more people around me in my immediate community.  I feel like I know my neighborhood up close and personal.  Most importantly, I learned that when I'm afraid, I need to find a creative solution that will allow me to get around my fear..until I am no longer afraid.

I feel one huge step closer to my dream of being a vegan, hiker badass.

I noticed after awhile that other women started walking around in the mornings...I don't know, maybe they were out there before... but some of them had walking sticks too.  It made me wonder how many other people want to get out and do fitness walking but have some of the same fears I started out with.  That is why I decided to write this blog on this day.  If you've ever been nervous about roaming your neighborhood...keep theses tips in mind.

1.  Get out to train early.  There are other fitness walkers/runners and they are usually out their early with you.
2.  Carry what you need to feel safe when you're getting started (I am not talking guns here, please!)
3.  Choose the best route for yourself...look for safety, beauty, variety, and the appropriate challenge.
4.  Get to know your neighbors.  They start looking out for you and help you feel safe.  Smile and make their day better as well!
5.  Know the mileage points along the route you've chosen so you don't have to pull out your cellphone, or try using an app that tracks your miles.  Turn up the volume so you can hear your progress while the phone stays in your bag or pocket.  I use MapMyWalk and crank it up so I can hear it announce my mileage and pace.
6.  Stay alert.  It is always appropriate to be mindful of your surroundings...whether you are making sure you know what is happening around you, watching out for traffic, or if you are simply taking in any beauty along your walk.
7.  Consider letting a family member track your phone while you are out.  They will know where you are at any given time and may notice if something doesn't look right.
8.  Walk strong, look confident.
9.  Change up your routine from time to time by driving to an established trail or going to a gym.

Now, go train for a hike!
Peace!