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

10k Recap – Disney Dopey Challenge Day 2

Day 2 of the inaugural Dopey Challenge was the inaugural Minnie Mouse 10k.  Day 1 was the 5k Family Fun Run.  This race was warm and humid.  And still early.  Yet another 2 am wake up call for a 5:30 am start.  It was also much more packed and energetic than the 5k.  There were a lot more people this morning.  A lot more buzz.

My best Mickey pose

For this race, I was again rockin’ an Ohio University shirt.  My costume consisted of my over-sized Disney cartoon gloves, and my customized Mickey Mouse ears.

Sis, Mom, Me B4 da race.

To help keep the ears on, I wore the GoPro camera on my head with a head strap that held the hat in place.  The only issue was that it was hard to tell if the camera was recording or not.  The solution was to hold my hand in front of it to see if I saw the reflection of the red blinking light…or ask one of the volunteers if it was blinking.

Hitting record on the GoPro.

Same corral as the 5k —> A.  The course once again started and ended in the Epcot parking lot.  Truth be told, the first few miles were kind of boring.  Actually, a lot boring.  It immediately took us out on the roads that link the parks within Disney World.  Dark.  Quiet.  Sure, there were a few attractions (characters, deejays, etc.) placed along this stretch, but not much.

The 10k is the RED line.

Plus, I got to see first hand the corral start separation that everyone was complaining about after day 1.  I got to see it because the course started with about a mile out and back on the road.  I kept watching the road on the way back looking for corral B.  It never seemed to come.  Not sure why they held them so long.  There was plenty of room on the roads.  As you can see from the highlights from my head mounted video camera:

Anyway, once the course finally got us into Epcot, it livened up.  It also took us around the Boardwalk Resort.  That was pretty cool too.  It’s so weird being there so early in the morning, and I’m sure we woke up a few tourists staying in the hotels there, but it was eerily cool.

Running and waving and sweating. Talented.

The final stretch took us back through Epcot before finishing back at the parking lot near where we started.

Running and smiling.

Once again, I tried to take it easy.  My last 10k I finished in 46:23.  This one I came across in 1:04:28.  Once again, I reached my goal of finishing with a personal worst (PW)!!!  Mission “Take It Easy Races 1 Thru 3” successful so far!

I have weird running form.

Again, I ran the entire way, as I wanted to complete the Dopey Challenge by actually running all 4 races – no matter how slow I took the first few.

I really need to stop running like that.

Again, I was trying to relax, enjoy the run, and not exert myself too much.  This was all in design to be able to have something in the tank for the 26.2 in just a couple days.

Moments before I pounced on Snow White.

At the finish, I decided to do something other than just run over it – so I did a little heel click hop!

Heel click wide shot.

Heel click close up.

The Minnie medal was pretty cool too. I do love getting new hardware!  Bling Bling Race Bling!

Medal 2 of 6 got son!

And now we were done with 2/4 races.  9.3 miles down, 39.3 to go!  The 39.3 is the Half and Full marathons back to back – they call that the Goofy Challenge.  So all that’s left for me to get Dopey is to be Goofy.

Next up I’ll recap the Half Marathon.  If you missed my recaps of the Expo and/or 5k,  you can see them HERE and HERE respectively.

How bout you?  How was your last 10k run or race?  Ever run with a camera?  Ever do anything special at a finish line?