San Antonio: Not the Best City for Running

by - Monday, September 26, 2016

When I'm on business trips for work in new cities, one of my favorite ways to see the town is by going on a run. So when I was in San Antonio last week for work, I was really excited that my hotel was kind of right downtown on the riverwalk.

I'd heard the riverwalk was really pretty, and when I took a stroll on my first night in town to find a place to eat dinner, I enjoyed some of the sights and sounds.

Plus I had a little friend join me for dinner.

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However, on the walk back home, it was starting to get dark and the riverwalk was starting to creep me out. Part of it was pretty isolated and dark, and I noticed some questionable characters hanging around.

I made it back to the hotel without any incident, but it made me a little nervous about my run in the morning.

I ended up bumping my running start time back the following morning to wait until the sun was all the way up. I had a pretty unsettling feeling in my gut about running around San Antonio in the dark.

The run itself was fine. But I didn't listen to music and I was hyperaware of my surroundings. I only passed a handful of other runners the whole time, and I couldn't shake the eerie feeling of isolation and vulnerability.

That evening when my work stuff wrapped up, I walked the 10-15 minutes from my hotel to the Alamo to explore.

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The Alamo closes pretty early, and I was heading back to the hotel around 5:45. I should note it was still broad daylight, and I was pretty much right downtown where there were lots of other people -- basically a place you'd feel pretty safe normally.

I was walking along minding my own business when a very aggressive, very shady character approached me and asked me if I had money for drugs. True story, didn't even pretend like he wanted the money for food or something. Points for honesty, I guess?

I was also catcalled at multiple by creepy old dudes in cars or on motorcycles. I have never in my life felt so harassed or unsafe in a city.

Perhaps needless to say, the next morning I did my run in the safety of the hotel gym. The treadmill is awful, but it seemed a lot better than the alternative.

Let's just say, I'm really happy to be home.

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3 comments

  1. Some cities are like this. Little Rock is another one of those where I felt I should have better brought a gun .... You know what I am trying to say.

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  2. yep I hate going to Texas. no thank you. I've been to Houston and Austin before and gotten the same vibe. Glad you made it home safely!

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  3. Fred and Tina1:45 AM

    Yes, glad you're home safe and sound. :)

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