Thanks Jon! You may have saved my life.

Right now I am so thankful that I had the training that I did in my karate classes. Not only did Jon teach me so many great self defense methods, he also taught me how to be aware of my surroundings. I think that might have made all the difference in my life today.

A few weeks ago there was a rape in Morgan Hill. A woman was out running and was attacked. I always watch around me especially when I'm alone, but with that news I have been much more aware. Today it was close to the end of my walk/run. I usually do about 2 to 3 miles. I was in a remote part of the neighborhood, where there are no houses currently. To my left, past a ditch, a small park like area is a road, to my right a field area and in front of me ditch, field and fence. I saw a white Suburban slow down on the road to my left and the next thing I saw he was on the road across the field to my right from me. I acted like I didn't notice and kept walking towards one of the roads at the far end of the remote area. Then they turned onto the road that led straight to me and nowhere else. In my head I was thinking, "if I can get to the end of this street before he gets too close I can get across the field to the houses." So I kept on walking but much faster and they kept approaching slowly. By the time they turned on the street that was nearest to me I was half way across the field and almost to safety. They sped up and I ran and was all the way to the street by the time they reached the end of the road. They quickly turned around and went back the way they came. By the time they were able to get back out, I was on a neighborhood street with houses, cars and people. They stopped at the stop sign and watched me and then went the other direction. They turned down a side street and I went full throttle home. I knew some men were working on a house across the park in front of my house and there are usually people walking dogs in that park. We have two parks in our neighborhood. So I knew if I could at least get close to my house someone would hear or see. Thankfully I didn't see them again.

So I guess no more exercising by myself for awhile. Too bad--I was really enjoying those endorphins.