Headed out this morning for my daily run. Nothing new with that. The thing that was different was my route.
I have many “Variations on a theme” routes. Today’s route was my least favorite. It is flat out hard. Not in terms of terrain but because it is so doggone hot! When the warmer weather arrives, I will discontinue this route just because 9 times out of 10, I end up calling MFH (My Favorite Husband) to come and get me. I overheat and am unable to complete my run.
Not completing my run makes me feel like I failed. Feeling like I’ve failed makes me cranky. Nobody likes me cranky, so I don’t run that route when it’s hot. Problem solved! 🙂
Today, it was still relatively cool and I knew that I should probably run this route. It’s kind of like eating spinach. You do it because it’s good for you. I set out with my fingers crossed that today would be a successful run.
The run up Evans Road up to Limerock Road was pretty easy! This was good because that stretch of Limerock (3 miles total) is the ugly part of this route. I made the turn onto Limerock and picked up the pace.
I had been running along Limerock not quite a mile when I saw what I thought was two dogs up ahead in the road. I was puzzled because there aren’t any dogs on this street. I got my pepper spray ready…just in case and kept running. As I got closer, I started in on the “Hi, doggie! Good dog!” routine. The “Dogs” looked at me and started coming straight for me. THAT’s when I realized…
They were not dogs! They were coyotes! Oh No!!!
These guys were not shy. They were a bold as brass, I tell you. They did not run towards me. No. They kinda walked with purpose towards me. Rats.
I changed my tone from, “Hi, doggie.” to, “Shoo!” “Go Away!!” and “Bad Coyote!” I was waving my arms and yelling, looking like a total and complete ninny. Fortunately, it worked. I guess anything that acts like that does not make a tasty treat and they took off across the field.
I had almost reached the end of Limerock when I saw another animal in the road. This one I knew was NOT a dog. It was pretty and had a large fluffy tail. A Fox! I love watching Foxes but I didn’t want to startle it, so I said, “Good morning, Mr. Fox!” It wanted no part of me and took off into the woods. Whew!
Now, all of this time and all the way back on Limerock, overhead there had been these two nasty Buzzards following me. I do NOT like Buzzards. They are nasty!!! They had been circling overhead…just following me…waiting to see what was going to happen…trying to decide if I would become a meal for them to enjoy.
About the time I arrive at the railroad tracks on my way back on Limerock, those nasty birds decided to take action and swooped down towards me. Have I mentioned that I do NOT like Buzzards? I yelled and waved my arms some more and ran for all I was worth.
I do NOT like Buzzards.
I have never been so glad to get off a stretch of road in all my life. I don’t expect I’ll be running that stretch of road again any day soon. Spinach or no spinach, it’s not going to happen.
The rest of my run, ran a total of 10.20 miles this morning, was completely and entirely uneventful. I was so happy to have the rest of the run be boring!!!
Haha!!! It was glorious! 🙂
I do have some pics…they are compliments of Google. I did not stop to try to get any of these animals to pose for the camera today. Call me a sissy, but, no. The first pic is of a Fox, the second a Coyote, and the third a nasty Buzzard.
