had a good (but tough due to he snow) 12 miler last evening, 10 miler planned for this afternoon

qotd: I've probably got too many to choose from, mostly to do w/ my work history- logging, wilderness ranger, military police, wilderness ranger and now game warden

I have a lot of bear stories dealing with grizzlies, but my scariest moment with bears dealt w/ a black bear.  I was working as a wilderness ranger (for the USFS) in the Bob Marshall and was going to check some high lake camp sites.  It was late evening and time to find a spot to camp- found a secluded lake w/ a nice view.  Started up my stove and unloading my pack when I noticed a large black bear on the opposite of the lake, not worried at all I kept attending to my business.  The bear seemed curious and started around the lake towards me- I stood up and banged on my pot thinking he would scatter.  He continued around the lake, standing up and sniffing occasionally.  Now I started banging a little louder and shouted a few choice words for the bear- still slowly coming.  At this point I was a little worried, but thought maybe he hasn't winded me yet and as soon as he does, he'll flee.  Not so, he got closer and closer- I started re-packing my pack and planned on moving to another lake.  He got close enough that I tossed a few rocks his way, along with louder shouting.  He was very calm, not agitated in the least bit, basically sizing me up.  I left the lake (not running) thinking maybe this was some territorial thing.  He stayed behind me, I'd stop every once and awhile to pitch a rock, wave my hands in the air and shouting at him.  This went on for about two very nerve wracking miles, before I lost sight of him.  That night in my tent I didn't get a wink of sleep and kept hearing what I was sure was the bear prowling around (almost assuredly it wasn't).  This was just as bear spray was coming into vogue and of course I wasn't carrying any (I was my next hitch!).

Year later I watched a show (NGeo??) that discussed predatory black bears; rare, but very well documented- almost always a male bear, almost always a large bear and their behavior was exactly as I experienced- a very cautious, calculating (not agitated, definitely not fearful) approach, sizing you up as prey- unfortunately some of these cases ended up in injury and even death

This may sound weird, but running on vacant rural roads alot ( and the fact that I read way too many mysteries ) I have always been afraid of finding a dead body.

Not weird at all.  I will not go in the rivers when they are shallow in summertime because it seems like dead bodies are always found in the water around that time.

4.5 miles and some short hill sprints today. Uneventful other than the fact that it is January and 60F.

In high school I was out on a week long backpacking trip in Washington State. One day, three of us were fairly far ahead of the rest of the group (including all of the adults). We were crossing from a sunny grassy meadow into a dark forest and we saw something smallish scamper up a tree. Being basically blind, we started backing up, unsure of what it was. Seconds latter Mama bear is standing at the edge of the forest, and not looking very friendly. A very tense eternity then passed as we tried to keep backing up, take off our packs and stick together on a very narrow trail. She false charged a few times, stood up and roared at us and then turned around and left. We kept backtracking until we got to a point where we could see for quite a ways in all directions and waited for the rest of the group to catch up. About and hour latter, mama bear passed by, way above us in the meadow, with three!! adorable cubs and continued on down the trail.

It didn't really seem all that scary at the time. More of a intently focused sensation. But afterwards I was shaking.

Did the Fun run last night for 4.5 miles It was a big group with the training groups starting up.  Helped a friend apply for Wyoming Elk afterwards.

QOTD:

I remember being really scared twice.  The first time was boogie boarding in Santa Barbara as a young boy (7/8) The waves were big and I got rolled along the bottom and that got me out of the water for the day.

When I was 12 the summer before 7th grade, I was riding a horse along a narrow cow trail above an old 5 strand barbed wire fence.  The trail gave way and the horse ended upside down, on top of me, on the fence.  We lay there for a few seconds until the horse started struggling and finally the wire started screeching and a few posts started popping and when the fence toppled over we rolled into the creek.  Those moments as the horse was laying on top of me my life was flashing before my eyes.

After catching a ride home from a farmer working up some ground, and a sheriff's deputy lights and siren escort into the ER, the next day I was with my dad fixing the 100 feet of fence I'd torn down.

Hey all.  I feel like such a slacker that I only make it here 2-3 days a week.  Sorry.  Please don't take my membership card away.  I like the Natural Light logo on the back.

Anyway, 7-ish miles done last night.  Looking to do another 8 or so tonight.  I like this January thaw weather, but I have to dig all my warmer weather running clothes out.  I wonder where I put them...

QOTD:  Sitting in the waiting room while my eldest daughter underwent heart surgery at the ripe old age of 1.

I need to run.  I really really need to run, but alas, I have exactly zero motivation to run.  I need some

LOL, Mandy.  I was terrible, I know.  And I was even worse the second night with poor D.

QOTD:  I really haven't had any scary moments.  Just typical stuff that comes along with raising three kids.  

I did 6 on the TM last night.  Should of got up this am as it rain/snowed last night and the trees and ground are covered in frosty white ice/snow.  Very pretty.  Need to start going to bed early.   Tonight will be something with a 6 in it.  Either TM or I may try a night run.  Earl (the mutt) is looking a little pudgy.  He hasn't ran much in the last three weeks.

QOTD:  Nothing really stands out, which is scary because that means I haven't had my scariest moment yet!!    Reading Sugnim"'s story I had the same experience with someone trying to get into my apartment.  It is very scary.  Turns out the guy was a bum who was just drunk.  There is a church that feeds the homeless near my apt and he just didn't know where he was.

Rocky:  Did you ever get my response to your email?  You ever do the Stinson Beach Marathon?

TrailsnCocktails:  Enjoy.

Banshee:  Tell the dead body story but the bear story was really good..

Scrapster:  Go running you lazy SOB.

Took the day off to take my running partner to the Vet . He is three legged lame after running down the hall in the house . The Vet thought it was a strain but might be his ACL he is on 10 days of rest and rimidyl  to see if there is some improvement .

QOTD : Might be because I read Rocky's but the one that pops into my mind was also horse related . I was cantering a circle and the ground was a little muddy my horse slipped and fell on me , he jumped up and as I looked up I saw his white legs go over my face , I did not have a helmet on . I ended up with a broken pelvis and a concussion but so glad he somehow managed to get up and  jump over me without stepping on my head .