Running with Armadillos, Skunks, Kanyes & Humans!

I’m tired, kids. Gone over 500 miles the past 2-3 months getting ready for the Chicago Marathon. That’s a lot of 3:45-4:00 am wake-up alarms. The good news is that I still haven’t missed a single day of training. That, and I’m relatively healthy – no major injuries to report – just the odd aches and pains and colds and coughs. It’s going relatively well, all things considered, if you must know, I do declare, but I digress.

The past weekend saw our 2nd 20 miler of the training plan.

If we make funny faces, it’ll mask our pain.

Oh, that reminds me, in August we ran 198 miles. And yeah, I thought about running an extra two, but then I unthought about it.

So close to the double century mark. Oh well, there’s always next month.

Back to last week – One nice surprise was the rare “short” weekday run – Only a 5k! That’s a far cry from the 12 miles scheduled we ran just 7 days richard prior. Decided to do it on the track – just a few pre-sun 800’s amongst friends.

It was dark. Used a flash. My shoes glowed.

And is it just me, or are there a lot more varmints out and about lately? On the track there was a skunk…a SKUNK…On.The.Track!!!!

There’s also been some coyotes, frogs, bobcats, bunnies, more skunks, and some giant roly poly bugs…

Happy to report we outran the armadillo. And we were sure to cautiously approach the dangerous HS XC team behind us – oh how I hate them with their short shorts, long hair & zero body fat.

Not sure what’s going on…are they all foraging for winter sustenance? Do I need to do the same? Should I start hoarding choco-sprinkle donuts like these smelly critters…?

Strange beasts indeed.

Oh, and did I mention the snakes? Indiana Jones would hate it up in hurrah..

It’s totes real.

That pic above is courtesy of Thursday Night Social Run – as always, things got crazy with TNSR. There is so much going on below, that I don’t even…

Da Fu?

There’s been some more runs and funs, but I’ll get to that, like later, or whatever, no big whoop. For now, I gotta go lay down, put my feet up and watch the new episode of Drunk History. Hasta luego, playas!

How bout you? Been seeing any critters on your runs? Armadillos – cute or dangerous? If you were an animal, what would you be?

-Scott

The Running Dead & The Armadillo Alive

Since I’ve upped my game a few weeks back to running 6 days a week, I’m a little more tired. Funny how that works. Add to that the Texas heat, which forces me to wake up before the sun has a chance to be fully erect in the sky.

That early I’m usually half asleep when I start my runs. So I kind of feel like a zombie – The Running Dead.

From a recent Halloween. I’m a zom-bee, get it?

Also, I gotta say, our town is pretty much overrun by bunny rabbits. On any given run, I’ll probably pass by 30+ of the little carrot eaters. No different this morning…But this time they brought a friend.

As I rounded a corner I could see a couple rabbits up ahead next to the path I was on. But one of them was bigger. As I got closer, I could tell it wasn’t a hare, but it was too dark to make out exactly what it was. I hoped it wasn’t a small bobcat.

Stolen from a friend. These cool cats are around here too.

To be safe, I made some loud grunting noises and clapped my hands. Normally that scares them off (and gets me sidways glances from neighbors). But this animal was giving zero F’s. It paid me no mind (too bad cause zombies eat brains).

Fearing it might be a rabid raccoon (yes, we have those here this summer – and yes, they go up to humans when rabid), I moved off the path. But then I saw what it was – an Armadillo! He/she was digging for grubs to eat.

I still kept my distance because they have sharp claws, but it was cool to see one alive. Usually when I see one, it’s roadkill. I also didn’t get too close cause she/he wasn’t as fun loving as the ones I see in local bars.

Yes, they sell these in stores here.

This wasn’t as cool as the time I saw a real unicorn on a run, but it was still kewl (my street lingo is totally hip).

How bout you? Seen any different animals recently? Are you a morning person? Would you party with an armadillo?

-Scott