I was going for a jog after work through Logan Circle, up 14th Street, down Florida Ave., and through LeDroit Park and Bloomingdale. On multiple occasions, older men (probably 40+) either made comments as I passed them (one I heard saying “you don’t need to run to look like that”), leered at me, or jokingly ran along.

Finally, I passed a gentleman and I turned behind to see him staring at me and saying a comment about my butt that I couldn’t clearly hear. Incredibly frustrated after this experience, I angrily told him “do not say a word to me,” and kept on running.

It was probably not the best response that I could have given but I was really quite demoralized and upset by the end of the run. Whether they intended to or not, I was feeling self-conscious about running in spandex by the end of my jog, or that my running served no purpose besides their consumption. Argh.

Submitted by ME

Location: LeDroit Park/Bloomingdale (two separate areas)

Time of harassment: Evening Rush Hour (3:30P-7:30P)

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