Stalker??

OK so this morning was not a lot of fun. 

It started out like any other run morning... 

Hit snooze three times

get up

curse the alarm clock

get dressed

and start on my run

I was about a mile or so in when things changed. 

This guy comes running up next to me

I had seen him walk out of a large office complex building (on the corner of one of the busiest intersections in Atlanta) 

I saw him running behind me (I'm very attentive of my surroundings)

I thought he must have missed a bus or something so I moved to the side of the sidewalk to get out of his way

but he doesn't pass me.

he keeps pace with me...

he looked like he had something to say so I took my earbud out

he asked if he could run with me

I look this guy up and down and notice he's wearing nice dress shoes, a sweater, a white button up under the sweater, and his pants were either jeans or a pair of dress slacks.  

He also looked like an Asian/Caucasian mix -- not very defined asian face, but had the hair and the skin tone

Was tall and lanky

Not to mention he's carrying a can of sprite

I thought he was hitting on me

Because no one runs in that

And sprite is not nutritious and defeats the purpose of running

I said "Sorry, I'm married" 

expecting him to get the hint and leave me alone

but he didn't

He said, "I know"

That creaped me out a bit 

So I start running faster

He starts running faster

I say "Will you please leave me alone" in a very forceful tone

I thought he did

I go about my run -- a bit shaken up, but letting it go

Then I get close to mile two.

Ya'll

He came out of nowhere!  

He started keeping stride with me again

I jumped back... into the street which probably wasn't smart

Sreamed

Said "You are scaring me, please leave me alone or I will call the police"

and ran away.

I didn't call the police but I should have and next time I will

I didn't finish my route... 

but I was a little scared to go straight home too

So I ran to the complex down the street from us

Ran around it 3 times to complete my four miles

and went home

I told Husband about it

He said he didn't want me running in the morning anymore...

But ya'll. 

If I don't run in the morning I'm running at 7:30 at night... and not eating until 9

Which is not healthy

Nor can I be sure I'd force myself to go

So I think I'm just going to start bringing the dog with me

Watch out... she'll lick you to death

In all seriousness I'd hope she'd get serious if the occasion called for it

Can't let anyone hurt her momma and all

And switch my route

And bring wasp spray with me

Did you know that stuff sprays 15 feet??

Maybe a taser too

I need to get larger pockets for all this stuff

In all seriousness, it scared me.  The uber rational side tells me if he was a stalker he wouldn't have been so obvious about it.... plus really, who would want to stalk little old me???  But the irrational/emotional side tells me I need to freak out and switch things up. 

The irrational side also had me checking our door locks at least 15 times this morning after Husband left. 

And thinking of building a moat around our complex... with alligators and piranhas in it... to far?

I think not.

But now the world knows and has a description... so there stalker man! I've sic'd the internet on you!