I woke up at 2AM. I worked on correcting a disaster that someone else created until 4:45. I am about to head out the door for 5 miles. I have a busy day that probably won't end until around 4:30.

QOTD: Inspired by Warden's grizzly encounter:

What is the craziest animal encounter you have had on a run?

A few years ago I was running on a new trail that was created as a fire break for a controlled burn. It was before daylight, and I was running with a headlamp. I rounded a sharp turn in the trail and was immediately smack dab in the middle of a group of about 6 to 8 wild hogs. I don't know how I managed not to trip over some of them. They initially scattered in every direction, grunting and squealing (or was I the one squealing?), and a few of them stopped immediately and went back to foraging for acorns, roots, or whatever. They didn't really take off for good until I stopped for a few seconds to look at them.

Got in 10 miles this morning.  Was still humid but felt a tad cooler.  Speaking of hot and humid, our A/C stopped working yesterday.  So last night has a tough sleeping night.  We have ceiling fans but they only work so well.  Going to see how bad the damage is this afternoon.  Thinking we may need to replace the whole system.  

QOTD: I have seen a bunch of black bears over the years but mostly they don't want to play.  This one below wanted to play a staring game with me.  She was pretty big and I suspect was protecting a den not too far away.  I stood there for a good 3-4 minutes, snapped a picture, and took off once she turned her head.  It was exhilarating.  (This was in June 2012)

Wogged about as usual with the dogs this morning. Ran 6 miles last night up at the local trail. Was not super motivated, it was still, hot, and muggy, plus I moving about sort of slow and creaky. Felt like I would bail around 3-4 miles during the first loop but after that felt a bit better and did 3 more loops to get in 6 miles. Followed that up with a cooldown soak in the pool floating about with a strawberry daiquiri. I have not had one of those in years, but the missus wanted one and so I mixed up a batch. Added a splash of lemoncello with the rum.

Not sure of run today. Storms later? I will need to do some radar watching I suppose. A rainy run might feel nice.

QOTD: A large rattlesnake, a timber rattler I suppose when I was out running alone on the Massanutten trail in VA. Encountered it at a bad spot too, during a narrow climb up a steep trail with the mountain sloping steeply on both sides, and the snake was lounging to warm up smack dab across the trail. Stood there for awhile, contemplating my options. I had to go forward as it was 3-4 miles to the finish of my long run and turning back would have been 10-12 miles. Eventually eased myself through the brush and slope above him and was on my way. I don't like snakes.

Been running in the evening to avoid the sun, though it hasn't helped any in avoiding the heat.

 

QOTD:  Craziest wildlife encounter I had occurred only a quarter mile from my suburban home.  There were still some undeveloped lots in the area so it wasn't unusual to see wildlife, but this surprised us both.  I was running around the last curve, which was lined with brush and trees, toward home and a large stag was running up the road on the same side. There was less than 50 ft separating us when we saw each other.  Both of us were startled but he reacted first bounding across the road and into the trees.  I've had very few crazy wildlife encounters during my national park trips. unless you count the crazy behavior of some of the other tourists.

By "stag", do you mean a male red deer similar to an elk? If so, is there some sort of high fence game pen in the area? I forgot about my blackbuck antelope encounter from a few weeks back, but he was inside the high fence.

qotd: Only one.  I can't wear my glasses on trail runs so my distance vision isn't very good but I was on a rail trail during a race when I thought I saw a large dog approaching me...I went to say Hi doggy but it was a deer and we were both startled.  She/he ran the other way until it could get off the trail.

During the Hawk marathon the year I did it with my friend she told me about a snake hanging from a nearby tree and a deer just off the trail but I didn't see either, again no glasses on.

I'm running after work today. Like XT, I'll have to check the radar for a window between thunderheads.  Ideally I'll get the rain without the lightening.

qotd: I've told this story before....   one of my pre-dawn runs along Lake Raven in Huntsville State Park, my headlamp hit what I thought was a red bike reflector on the side of the trail, between the trail and the lake which is about 4 or 5 feet away in that area.  I stopped and as I started to bend down to reach for the reflector it disappeared, replaced by a fast moving large black shape and instantly followed by a huge splash. Who knew that alligator eyes reflect red in the dark, especially when you are very closely face-to-face.

Obviously I don't have a photo, but here's one from the internet (I guess the guy I saw was at an angle so I only saw one eye).

P.S. last week when in the park by my house I saw a cute little gator on a log, I guess it was about 3 feet long.

I changed things up this morning and ran 11 instead of the usual 10. I’m such a rebel. 

qoTd; couple months ago a momma skunk and 5 or 6 little crossed in front of me. It was a nice sunny morning and I told how good she smelled and how cute her babies were. Well it must of pissed her off, she came running at me chopping her teeth. At first I thought it was funny but dang if she didn’t almost catch me. I ended up sprinting almost 100 yards before she broke off the chase. 

Sandy- how many finger you sporting on that right hand?

Too busy today to get out. I'll try to run tonight and early tomorrow between the thunder storms.

QOTD:  1 month ago, saw a nice bear and a rattle snake on the same run.  See them often, but that was a first to get both at 1 time.

He wasn't running away like they usually do.

This guy was not happy to see us. Coiled right away.