Kim and Zenaida’s Tuesday Topics link-up for today is supposed to be about the best things you’ve seen on a run, but I’m switching it up and sharing the WORST things I’ve seen on a run!
I think a lot of the best things I’ve seen are sunrises/sunsets, cool monuments, penguins in Antarctica!!!, or the finish line in a tough race…but today, let’s talk about the opposite- the terrible things!
Note: I feel fortunate that my list of “worst” things that I’ve seen is really not that awful; I’ve never witnessed someone getting assaulted or worse. This list demonstrates my privilege and I acknowledge that.
An unexpected hill!
Always a terrible thing to see on a run, am I right? Ha!
Someone texting and driving…
This is especially concerning when running on the road; I worry so much that drivers these days just aren’t paying attention!
A bear.
I have seen a black bear on a run twice in my life and both times were very scary. They both occurred at Dustin’s family cabin in northern Wisconsin. Fortunately, both times the bear was pretty far away, but CLEARLY a bear!
(I never had the wherewithal to get my phone out in time for a picture, so you’ll have to settle for a picture of me running on the same road at the cabin!)
A locked porta-potty.
I mentioned it on my Pet Peeves post, but it can be one of the worst things to see when it’s an emergency situation.
Speaking of porta-potties…
This was a weird one; I witnessed this oddity on the east River Road on a long run. (I added the “censor” symbol, but you get the idea.)
Unwelcome View…
I had almost forgotten about this one, as it occurred when I was in Singapore for work in 2014, so many years ago. I wrote about it in this post, but essentially a man exposed himself to me in the early morning hours on a run. I was able to head away quickly, but that was an uncomfortable one.
Aggressive Cows!
This one occurred on a run in Jaipur, India!
The group I was with told me to calmly walk through the herd of cows on the road. Of course, I had to capture the moment and asked to take a picture, and then one of the cows head-butted me in the stomach and that was VERY scary!
You can see the one that came at me, he’s giving me the evil eye in the below picture!
I enjoyed my experience in India, but the amount of trash/litter on the beaches along one of the roads I ran was shocking…
The number of stray dogs that I would see was also pretty tough to witness…broke my heart.
An Eagle Eating a Duck
At least I think it was a duck….there was a crowd around Lake Harriet on a run, watching a bald eagle up in a tree devour a duck, but the eagle was a very sloppy eater and pieces were falling to the trail. So gory!
(Not a picture from that exact run, but from another eagle siting on Lake Harriet.)
A Suffering Deer.
The second-to-worst thing I’ve seen on a run was a very difficult one for me. It still makes me sad when I think of it.
It happened a few years ago on a Saturday long run with my run club. We were heading to Cedar Lake on a trail that goes right near a bridge/overpass. Right as we were passing, a very large deer must have been trying to leap off of the road to avoid a car, and instead lept directly off of the bridge and fell a good 20 feet to the ground beside us. I actually broke down in tears; I couldn’t bear to see the poor thing suffer. As it grunted and moaned as it tried to stand up, it was clear that it’s legs were broken.
Fortunately, there was a cyclist who witnessed it all who had his phone, and he called the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) to come and put it out of its misery. That was a terrible thing to see.
A Broken Bone.
The worst thing I’ve seen on a run was my own broken leg. Ugh.
I remember slipping on the ice and falling hard; as I tried to get up, I was holding my leg, and it was flopping in a weird way at the ankle…. That was hands down the worst thing to see! No one wants to see that on a run….
And that’s my list! Please share in the comments your stories of the worst things you’ve seen; I’d love to hear!
That litter is quite horrifying, oh my word!
I’m not a fan of cows, but I think spotting a bear would give me a heart attack!! That porta-potty you’ve censored, EEEWWWWW!!!!
I had the unfortunate and unwelcome sighting last year. I’m not sure if it was deliberate, but he basically turned to face the road as he urinated and I was right there to witness it all 🙁 Hhmmm!
Ugh, it sounds like that sort of thing has happened to a lot of runners! Eew.
The bear sightings gave me heart attacks ha! I ran very fast afterwards.
In my first marathon, headed out and not too far in, a guy who looked pretty fit who was coming back the other way, several miles on, collapsed and vomiting, then more and more people in a state (it was hotter than expected!). Made me worry a bit! Anyone collapsed at the side is always hard to see. On training runs, sad friends sat down or fallen and needing picking up, I think is the worst. Again, I’ve been fortunate and privileged.
Oh my! That is a scary thing to see on a run!
Well, this may be a “worst” list but it made my day so I’m glad you went off-script. The cows and the censored portapotty are priceless!
Haha, glad you enjoyed it Becket!
Although it’s a summary of your worst views, this is a great collection, Jessie! First, I thought your photo with the cows was from Switzerland – that happens quite often in the mountains. But then I looked more carefully – not Switzerland, the Swiss cows are fatter. I remember seeing a lot of trash in India. Every river was full of it. Since then, I appreciate every clean river and sea that I see. Last year, I saw something quite bad here in Cape Town. A homeless person was vomiting blood on the side of the road. He was in… Read more »
Interesting that you thought it might be Switzerland! These cows were skinny…and mean! At least to me 🙂
Vomiting blood- oh my! That would be tough to see.
I have so many questions about that censored photo, lol. I don’t even want to imagine what was going on there!
I would be SO freaked out to see a bear during a run. I would probably freeze but I know you’re supposed to play dead to stay safe right?
You can back away slowly and not make any sudden movements. Just get out of their way without causing alarm! Both times I saw one it was ahead of me and I just turned around and went the other way!
I remember you writing about the deer…that would be such a horrible thing to see. I’d really struggle to get the image and sounds out of my mind. I can’t think of one worst thing, but trash always disgusts me. I went for a run on July 5th (a couple summers ago), and was mortified at all the candy wrappers and debris left along the previous day’s parade route.
Honestly, I still get upset thinking about that deer incident 🙁
Ugh, yes, the litter/garbage is so disheartening sometimes.
As a Yoga teacher, I now have some desire to see India. Maybe. In general, I’ve never wanted to see it because of the amount of people/poverty. My nephew actually has an Indian girlfriend (he lived there quite some time), and they all went to visit (pre-pandemic — she was able to come to the US & somehow extend her visa & is still here).
Oh, that poor deer! That would be awful. 🙁
Ewww on the eagle eating whatever. I know that’s nature, but I don’t want to see it!
Apparently I run in much tamer places than you!
I really did enjoy my time exploring India! I feel bad that this post only pointed out a few bad things, but if you look back at my blog during that time, you’ll see that I really enjoyed it there and am grateful for the experience.
A bear would certainly be crazy! The worst thing I have seen is gigantic turkeys on the Ragnar in Toronto. I had no idea they would be there and was not sure if they were aggressive or not. The crazy things we do!
Interesting! Turkeys are a fun sighting!
OMG, the flop. It still turns my stomach. Ugh.
I love the cows! Sorry they woke up that day and chose violence. However, the stray dogs and litter are, indeed, heartbreaking 🙁
I saw our neighborhood gator eat a duck once. It was pretty gruesome. I know it’s the circle of life, but I don’t need to see it.
Haha, yes, those violent cows 🙂
Umm…neighborhood gator? Yikes!
You’ve seen a lot of bad things. Your floppy leg is certainly the worst. But the flasher – ew! And the phallic porta-potty handle – ick!
Yes..the floppy leg was no good! I’ve seen some bad things, but also good things! I keep coming back for more despite the bad things 🙂
OMG! The poor deer. I actually had to stop reading for a little bit because I am sure that was awful to see. The trash. How awful!! Oh gosh and I cannot imagine seeing your broken leg.
Thank you for sharing those “normal” photos of India. It’s an interesting counter to the stunning tourist shots. Glad you were OK post head butt.
I can’t imagine running where bears are a risk, and while I’d be grossed out at the Eagle, I get it for the circle of life. Just not in front of us please 😀