So, I ran a grand total of 1.5 miles during yesterday’s very early morning (in the dark!). Here’s how it went:
I left the house around 5:35 in the morning. It was pitch black, but I was constantly scanning the surroundings with my headlamp. About three-quarters of a mile into my run I glanced to the left and picked up a pair of fluorescent green eyes.
I didn’t panic immediately, but I got a nice jolt of adrenaline working. The eyes moved behind a tree and I kept on going. Call it natural instinct, but I ran ahead a bit and looked over my shoulder and saw the two eyes following behind me on the road.
The first thing I did was scream VERY loudly (I apologize to any of the residents of the vicinity who may have woken up a little earlier than they wanted to! 
). I booked it up the road and then pulled out my iPhone and called my husband on his cell phone.
It rang and rang and went to voicemail. I then called my mother, who (thank God!) is always up early. I told her what happened and asked her to stay on the phone with me until I got back to the house.
I am guessing that the animal following me was a coyote. They have been known to go down Wild Harbor Road and there is a section of a road that abuts conservation land.
Although there are also fox in the area, I really can’t see a fox trotting after me unless he was just really curious. Either way, I am all set with the close encounters of the wildlife kind. I am going to have to work out a way to run during daylight or drag someone else along when it’s dark!!
YIKES!! That is pretty terrifying! Nothing like a scary wild animal sighting to get you awake in the morning I’m sure! I run in the dark in the mornings, but the scariest things I’ve ever seen were skunks! Those guys sure gave me some speed–running in the opposite direction!
I thought I saw one right near me last week–instant intervals! LOL
Oh my, that is never fun. I live on the edge of a heavily wooded state park, in the shadow of Bear Mountain, so there are no runs for me unless it is established sunlight and people are stirring. My worst encounter on a run so far, at 11am mind you, was a bobcat that scampered away. But after the bear in our yard 2 years ago, I stick to midday runs or the gym for the dreadmill. Stay safe!!
I totally hear you, and I most definitely will not be running in the dark anymore!! It was a little too close for comfort. The crazy thing is that every once in a while, coyotes will sometimes walk along a road in my town in broad daylight!
the foxes don’t scare me, they mind their own business, it’s the bears, wolves and coyotes that are unpredictable. At the same time I often worry about the PEOPLE that are around me.
I don’t mind foxes at all either. The one in our neighborhood is very curious and will come stand in the yard and just watch you…
Wow, Jessica!! That is “SKEERY!!!” Be careful up there!! Better run with some mace!!
I was VERY skerred! I ran backwards for awhile, so I could make sure it wasn’t still following me after I screamed! 😉
So scary! I thought coyotes were afraid of people…but he was chasing you! Good thing you can run fast…
They should be, but they have become increasingly more brazen around here! 🙁