Safety-conscious runner refuses any future runs with coworker, after she mocks her nighttime visibility gear in the work group chat, despite learning that she wears it as precautionary measures from past accident: 'Lit up like a Christmas tree'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Dec 13, 2025 3:00 PM EST

If you're going to ask a favor of someone, we recommend not criticizing how they do said favor…If you ask someone to buy you a cookie, you're not going to question why they're paying with a card, not cash. If you've asked to lend someone's book, you're not going to question why the corners are bent or the page slightly faded…So why in the world, if you ask someone to help get you into running, would you criticize everything they're wearing on the run… especially when it's a safety precaution? 

Either they're tone-deaf or just blatantly mean…however, neither is an appropriate excuse. This woman was asked if her coworker could join in on her nightly running workouts, and as the kind woman she is, she said absolutely. But when they met for that first night run, her coworker gave up in seconds, claiming she couldn't run next to her out of embarrassment. Referring to the woman's nighttime visibility gear. She explained that due to a prior incident, she felt safer running in the gear…But her coworker ignored her reasoning, claimed 'embarrassment', and even went on to make remarks about it on their work group chat…Real classy. 

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  • When someone attempts to put someone down in public, it is pretty obvious that their whole goal is to make themselves look ‘cooler’ or more 'desirable'…but the truth is, they normally end up just looking transparently insecure…especially in the workplace. This woman was trying to do her coworker a favor, and in return ended up being the office brunt of the joke for something actually pretty serious!

  • Two women running at night, out of breath
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITAH for turning up to run "lit up like a Christmas tree?"

    I'm not entirely sure I am in the wrong here just because of how strongly some people feel about it.
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  • My co-worker, let's all her Anna, is just getting into running and asked if I would join her for a run one night after work.
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  • I agreed as I am an avid runner. We went for the run last week and only managed 5 minutes before Anna called it, refusing to do any more with me because of how I was dressed.
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  • As it was dark, I had on my running vest that had clip on lights on both sides and my head torch so I could see where I am running.
    via runningchristmastree
  • I also had some reflective panels on my clothing. Anna told me that I looked ridiculous lit up like a Christmas tree and that she wasn't going to be seen with me dressed the way I was.
    via runningchristmastree
  • Anna had dark clothing on with just some thin reflective strips. I told Anna that I take my safety when running at night seriously because I was hit by a car two years ago when running.
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  • I didn't see the car as it came around the corner and speed, nor did they see me.
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  • It took me months to just get back on my feet and I'm still not running the mileage I used to.
    via runningchristmastree
  • I used to run without any lights and was just reliant on the small reflective panels on my clothes.
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  • Someone in our work group chat (Its a social chat, not work related) asked how the run went and asked if we were now going to have a team running club.
    via runningchristmastree
  • Anna posted that the run didn't go to plan because I was dressed ridiculously, but that she loved the idea of having a team running club.
    via runningchristmastree
  • A group of coworkers talking about a project
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Somebody else asked if I was wearing my lights as he'd seen me in them before then asked Anna if she knew why I ran with lights.
    via runningchristmastree
  • Anna told him that it didn't matter because it was embarrassing. People were chiming in about if it was embarrassing or not that I had lights on.
    via runningchristmastree
  • Anna then commented that if I needed to be lit up by a Christmas tree to feel safe when running at night, then I should just buy a treadmill.
    via runningchristmastree
  • I removed myself from the group chat after that comment, as I'd had enough and didn't want to engage with it.
    via runningchristmastree
  • I get that to Anna it was embarrassing but she didn't need to drag me through the group chat over it.
    via runningchristmastree
  • I never publicly criticised her for her outfit though I did offer her my spare headlight if she wanted it.
    via runningchristmastree
  • Vivid-Kitchen1917 Translation: Anna could only handle that pace for 5 minutes and couldn't swallow her pride.
    via Vivid-Kitchen1917
  • Woman stopping on the running track, taking a moment to breathe.
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • gothfru As a driver in the dark midwestern winter, I appreciate runners like you. It makes my life so much easier and prevents terrible tragedies. NTA - but Anna sure is. As was said above, run with people who aren't bitches. Anna sounds like she's 13.
    via gothfru
  • NoCalendar699 NTA. Being safe while running at night, which is what you were doing, is an important part of running at night. Anna's priorities are just plain wrong if she can't get that.
    via NoCalendar699
  • Big_It So let me get this straight - Anna asks for your help to get into running and you oblige -you show up wearing whatever as it makes you feel safe and you didn't ask her to change anything - Anna ridiculed you -you explain the why (maybe she had no idea) - Anna ridiculed you again - group chats asks and she then again ridiculed you - Group chat again explains the why and she doesn't care - you exit the situation Anna is a smug bitch. Personally I'd ask the chat to kick her as she is new and
    via Big_It
  • secretstash24 Sounds like she just wants an excuse to wear "cute" gym outfits. That's fine, no judgements from me, but maybe running at night ain't the best thing for her to accomplish what she wants.
    via secretstash24
  • ProfessorDistinct835 NTA. Anna is kind of a jerk though. More than kind of.
    via ProfessorDistinct835

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reflective-vest lit up criticism christmas tree night-running night-safety
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