Maybe the 19 degrees on Friday was just a fluke. Yesterday and today have been warm (60's) and sunny. I have a feeling that my
wish-upon-a-star has come true and we're going to skip winter altogether. Wahoo!
Sadie and I went out for about 21 miles yesterday. We explored some new trails. Ran through a smoldering section of the forest. It looked like a controlled burn, but the trail was ash for about a mile and some of the stumps were still on fire. I was a bit worried that it was too hot for Sadie to run on, but the freezing temps the night before left a layer of frost and ice over much of the trail and I guess cooled the ashes a lot because Sadie was actually have fun running through the soft stuff. It was horrible to breath, though. Just a few acres burnt and I had to eventually turn around and go
another direction. I can't image how horrible it is to breath the air down in California with all those fires.
Near the end of the run we turned a corner and Sadie stopped in her tracks to look down below. Momma moose and baby moose. They were on the switchback section of the trail below us. Momma moose was sure to get between us and the youngster. Sadie made sure that she got behind me. What a wimp. Not one bark or growl or "Don't worry, Scott. I'll scare off any wild animals in our path." Nope, she just looked at me like, "Hey, you're the one with more cortex so you should be coming up with the bright idea. Not me." So with all my cortex I decided that the smartest thing would be to pull out my camera phone and click a few quick
photos. I figured at this point I had already been 18 miles or so and if momma moose wanted to chase me there was no energy left in the tank to escape. After a few pleasantries we moved along and had to get a little creative with an off-trail detour around momma and kiddo. None of the photos show the calf clearly but in a couple you can see a few extra legs under momma and in the top photo you can see kiddo's rear behind momma's head.
wish-upon-a-star has come true and we're going to skip winter altogether. Wahoo!Sadie and I went out for about 21 miles yesterday. We explored some new trails. Ran through a smoldering section of the forest. It looked like a controlled burn, but the trail was ash for about a mile and some of the stumps were still on fire. I was a bit worried that it was too hot for Sadie to run on, but the freezing temps the night before left a layer of frost and ice over much of the trail and I guess cooled the ashes a lot because Sadie was actually have fun running through the soft stuff. It was horrible to breath, though. Just a few acres burnt and I had to eventually turn around and go
another direction. I can't image how horrible it is to breath the air down in California with all those fires.Near the end of the run we turned a corner and Sadie stopped in her tracks to look down below. Momma moose and baby moose. They were on the switchback section of the trail below us. Momma moose was sure to get between us and the youngster. Sadie made sure that she got behind me. What a wimp. Not one bark or growl or "Don't worry, Scott. I'll scare off any wild animals in our path." Nope, she just looked at me like, "Hey, you're the one with more cortex so you should be coming up with the bright idea. Not me." So with all my cortex I decided that the smartest thing would be to pull out my camera phone and click a few quick
photos. I figured at this point I had already been 18 miles or so and if momma moose wanted to chase me there was no energy left in the tank to escape. After a few pleasantries we moved along and had to get a little creative with an off-trail detour around momma and kiddo. None of the photos show the calf clearly but in a couple you can see a few extra legs under momma and in the top photo you can see kiddo's rear behind momma's head.Today I put in another 14 miles. 5.5 this morning and then 8.5 just before the sun went down. The 8.5 felt really good. I wanted to finish my highest mileage week ever on a strong note. I hit some hills and really pushed hard. Sadie even looks a little tired after this week. Well, not really, but I like to think that I've tired her out. It's funny becau
se yesterday around mile 20 she picked up a stick and dropped it in front of my as I was hobbling down the hill. She wanted to play fetch! Didn't you just run 20 miles you crazy dog?!?Two week taper and then race week. I feel strong and confident - though I'm still have trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that I will be attempting a 50 mile race. Those kind of thought are the ones that start giving me the butterflies even three weeks out.
I know I say this a lot, but I don't care because it's true - This is so much fun, isn't it?
Keep running!
Scott
Wow!! What an amazing encounter! I love Sadie's reaction. Thanks for the pics!
ReplyDeleteNo, you can't take that wish. I already called it :P You'll have to let me know what the plans are for winter running. These tips I'd like to know especially from you . . . who runs on trails LOL
ReplyDeleteThat'd been a great way to end your running career! Trampled by momma moose! LOL. Based on the sequence of events, I'd say Sadie put her cortex to better use :-) She said, "I got your back!!"
ReplyDeleteYour mileage is amazing. You will be find on this 50 thingy, look what you are doing back to back.
ReplyDeleteGlad moosey left you alone :D
It's good to have butterflies - 50 miles is a stinkin' long way! You'll be fine though - I'm sure of it. I'm having butterflies over 50k this weekend, because 31 miles is a stinkin' long way too - and I haven't gone that distance since last April. Oh well. It is fun - crazy fun!
ReplyDeleteYou tell a great story...the moose is icing on the cake...what a great part of the country to run and train in...just be glad that daddy moose wasn't around somewhere...that could have gotten real interesting.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you are so ready for the JFK. I think one of my running buddies has told me her son has done that in the past...I'll have to check.
Keep up the great effort....
LMAO at Sadie getting behind you! She was actually thinking "I hope that moose is so full after she eats him that she leaves me alone" ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like sooo much fun! You seem to be ready... despite the little butterflies! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, that's amazing! I wish I could see wildlife on a run. Most critters I see around here have been smashed by a car.
ReplyDeleteum, scott, i think you may be running sadie too much. :) just kidding.
ReplyDeletei think it was smart to document the moment- that way if the moose had trampled you, they would have found the phone and known what happened. very good idea.
i'm content to run on roads where i see dead squirrels (or smashed toads in texas- gosh i miss that). i cannot believe you're running that many miles- i realized after the marathon that i did in one month what you're going to do in one day and i wondered if you should be medicated (heavily!). :) however, it's quite inspirational- had miss tri-cities not been in my way with a medal, i would have kept running a few more feet to make my marathon a (technical) ultra-marathon, just to join you!
Wow, I think that is completely amazing that Sadie does those runs with you. We're almost back to normal air quality where I am. thankfully I'm not too close to the fires.
ReplyDeleteMuch rather have butterflies than anything else! Enjoy your taper and reinforce, you will do fine.
ReplyDeleteWe just dont get wildlife like that down here. I guess thats what happens when you live on an island at the bottom of the pacific ocean. Every so often we get some hoaxers claiming to have spotted moose in our south island forests but if they were there i'm sure we would have some evidence by now.
ReplyDeleteNo trails for me just yet. I'm still staying away from hills. Once i have built back up to say 10k then i might start searching for some trails.
What a cool encounter. Isn't there some comedy movie where a moose chases a couple of guys? Wish I could remember the details. It was best not to mess with a Momma and her baby.
ReplyDeleteI love the moose story! Sounds like what my dog might do--well actually, my dog would stupidly bark and bare his teeth at them while they chased and trampled all on me.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for visiting my blog and posting. I will take your advice and tie my shoes tighter; I'm sure that will get my femur bone back to working condition :)
I love trail running and I am hugely jealous that you get to run so far on such a beautiful (if full of ashes) trail. Actually, I'm so mad about not being able to run right now I get just a wee bit tempted to run over runners with my car. Don't worry, since I live in Michigan I don't think you are in danger.