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

Running Around Floods, The Devil’s Food & Attacked by Snapping Turtle!!!

No matter where you live, you’ve probably seen on the news all the crazy weather we’ve been getting in Texas. Torrential downpours, flooding, tornadoes, etc. It’s been a wild spring. But we did have one day this week where Mr. Sun peeked in on us.

The strange ball of light so confused me on my run.

Other than that it’s been a whet whone. Luckily we were able to race over the Memorial Day Weekend. And then it did storm the rest of the weekend. However my run bud and I were able to get in a nice relaxing 9 miler around White Rock Lake. I’ve never seen the water that high. Check out this shot from the normally dry spillway…

Usually all you see is concrete. It sounded like Viagra Falls!

One of the side effects of the high waters around town is that the critters are getting very cornfuzed. I’ve seen so many poor little ducks, gooses, turtles, froggies & snakes on the roads and trails.

And, funny story, was driving back from yoga and saw a big turtle in the middle of the road – some of us stopped our cars to help it. We quickly found out that it was a cranky SNAPPING turtle. It took some doing, but we finally got it back to the grass.

PS. I have now watched several YouTube videos on the safe way to pick up a snapping turtle. Note – It’s not easy because besides the biting mouth, they also have claws…and they can JUMP!

From the internet. This is what he looked like.

Anyway, after the 9 miler, we needed breakfast tacos, natch.

The devil made me do it.

So there it is…still getting my runs in, just having to dodge raindrops, high waters & critters.

How bout you? Staying dry out there? Ever had a run in with a snapping turtle? Having a good week???

-Scott

Fake Partner Yoga, Snakes on a Trail, & Sweaty Runs

Another weekend jammed packed with workouts.  It all culminated with some fake partner yoga, but I’ll get to that.

We call this one the “Spread Eagle Toddler Superman” pose.

The weekend of workouts kicked off with the Thursday Night Social Run.  We met up this time at a great local TexMex joint – Chiladas.  I got in 4 sweaty & hilly miles.

Afterwards we were being social and it was exciting to talk to a bunch of these folks because some were heading to Deadwood, SD for a marathon/half and others were off to San Diego for a marathon/half there.  I hope they all had great races!

I like to relax right before we run.

On Saturday I got up for my long run, and it got ugly.  I had planned to go 8-10, but that didn’t happen.  It was so hot and muggy – 90% humidity.  Just gross.  It was a struggle to run though that pea soup.  But I managed to make it 7 miles – I had to – because it put me at exactly 100 miles run in May!

But dude, was I soaked with sweat glow.  It looked like I had jumped in a lake!  I think my clothes are still drying.  And I know they aren’t daisy fresh.

Who wants some?

On Sunday I got up early to meet with some friends to run trails.  As we move into the warmer months, the wildlife are getting more active.  On the trails today we had to jump over one turtle…and one snake!  Luckily it wasn’t a poisonous one, but when you see a snake under your feet, you don’t stop to ask questions – you jump!  Haha, I about gave the dude behind me a heart attack.  All told, ended up going 6 miles.

After the run, we grabbed a quick bite before going to a power yoga class.  It was a really great practice!  But before it started we were hanging out when my friend who looks like an elf asked, “You want to do partner yoga?”  I replied, “I don’t know how, but sure.”  She answered, “Neither do I, let’s make it up.”  So we did.  Hahaha!

I call this one ‘Egret Getting Sun While Squatting on Uncomfortable Bench”

Then other people got in on the gag…

“Reclining Elf on Planking Bear Back”

Luckily none of us take ourselves too seriously, or get easily embarrassed, because most of the room was laughing at with us.

All in all it was a pretty good little weekend of working out.  Now I’m sore.  I like it that way.

How bout you?  See an animals on your runs lately?  Ever do partner yoga (legit or not)?  Do you have any better names for our poses? 

-Scott