Something happened Monday, and I’ve been trying to figure out if how I feel about it is rational or not. I thought I would ask for your opinion.

*** This could be TRIGGERING ***

I went for a run on my trail Monday. It was a beautiful day! There were these leaves along the wood line that I’ve never noticed before. They were a metallic color green, and when the sunlight hit them, it turned them a bluish color. I thought they were beautiful, so I stopped to take a picture of them. As I was trying to get the picture, I noticed a biker coming down the trail. I stepped back to let him come by and held up my hand in a wave, and as he passed me he said “You are so pretty.” I just stood there, not knowing what to think or how to feel about it.

What did he just say?

Why would he say that to me?

I’ve done something wrong!

I don’t remember seeing him before.

I shouldn’t have waved at him.

I basically had a mini “freak out” and I was afraid, and felt threatened.

The trail is mostly open, wooded on one side and a road on the other. A portion of it cuts through some trees and wooded area. I love the wooded part that goes through the trees. I feel safe and calm there. After this happened; now the thought of it makes me afraid. I haven’t been back since Monday.

There is a part of me that misses it terribly, another part of me is very afraid to go. I usually see the same people when I go, and it bothers me that I hadn’t seen this person before. He went by too fast for me to be able to analyze his “intent” - if that makes sense.

I know this IS irrational, a part of me knows that, but there is another part of me that can’t get past it. It makes me mad!!

Would anyone else see this in the same way?

Does this make sense to anybody?