Turkeys, Turtles, and Bears... Oh, my!
20 Weeks
This week I was going to right about willfully introducing discomfort to a comfy Western life. But then I was cruising down Piney Ridge, contemplating the subject, and a bird chirped on my right. A bigger bird squealed on my left. I turned to see a turkey chick running, followed by its mom.
A mile later, I rolled an ankle. Sat down. Hobbled. Walked. Jogged a little, before seeing a turtle on the trail. After the roll, there was no reason to go fast. Instead, I dug the phone out and snapped some pics. I started recalling different encounters with wildlife over the years.
The obvious were bears. Early on, I was out on the section of AT below Humpback Rocks. Three black fuzzy dots flew up trees, and a big fuzzy blob poked her up head up. Momma looked at me, made sure her kids were safe, and bounded off into the woods. There was a day on Furnace Mountain, grinding out its interminable climb. Glancing over, a juvenile black bear strolled ten feet away, headed the opposite direction. On a now closed section of the Albright Trail, a younger bear danced through the fog, playfully crossing my path a few times. The only frightening time was the bull who decided he wasn’t moving. I backed off slowly around the bend, picked up a jog when I was out of sight, and cut the day short.
One early morning at the top of Little Devil Stairs, an owl glided past. It landed on a branch, stared. As I approached, it took off, flew aways down the trail, landed. We repeated this for five minutes. It never letting me get to close, me always chasing it.
A couple times timber rattlers have decided to make the middle of the trail their home. Running up on one is like being an audience member in the movie of you. You see the snake, but before the little person between your eyes registers it’s a snake, your body slams on the brakes. It’s happened on the White Oak trail, the AT on Scott Mt, and Buck Ridge.
This week I rolled an ankle. The PF in my other foot is the same. The week wasn’t what I hoped. I’ve had to check my ego. It’s easier to do than it used to be because of the wildlife. All those bears and turkeys and turtles don’t give a fuck about us. They’re out their living their lives, mildly inconvenienced when we show up. We’re just another random animal with funny colors and smells.
Weekly Summary
Goal: 45, 5000’
Actual: 35.3, 6100’
Fell short this week. It happens. Work went longer than usual on Thursday and Friday. Add in the right’s rolled ankle and left’s plantar fasciitis (PF) flare up, and it wasn’t in the cards. Forcing the the miles in would’ve added unnecessary stress.
Implementing some stretches and rehab work on the left foot for it’s PF. Stretches, eccentrics, lacrosse ball, and massage. After one day of work, it’s less painful, but sticking with at least a ten day course before reassessing.
Weekly Log
Mo: 5.2
Easy run down to the stop sign at Dearing and Fodderstack. Bit of a rainy day, late start, but things felt good. Enjoyed the slow pace, listening to the birds and noticing the different grasses growing along the road. Left ankle is still stiff, but worked on it while watching TV.
Tu: 7.3
Run of the mill loop of Resettlement-Fodderstack-Dearing with most of it around lactate threshold. Worked on the left ankle last night, and it was a little less stiff today. But feels like the stiffness has moved up to the calf. More massage and stretching tonight!
We: 13.1
Cool windy morning for a loop of Keyser FR-Piney Ridge. It might be some of the best stretches of trail for running in the Northern district. Saw a turtle and a turkey with her chick—inspired this week’s piece. Left ankle and calf still tight, but ok—adding in some eccentric exercises tomorrow. Made it to the gym for some upper body, too.
Th: 0.0
Planned rest day. Was an adult and wrapped the ankle.
Fr: 0.0
Unplanned rest day but NOT due to the ankle. Work went waaay later than expected. There was no time in the day, not without shirking other responsibilities. The ankle spent the day wrapped. WRAPPED IN HOT PINK VET WRAP WITH FLAMINGOS!
Sa: 3.6
Little social run with the RappCo Runners. Beautiful morning, new runner joined, everyone was happy with the loop. Rolled ankle felt pretty good, other ankle objected. Gonna have to do some work.
Su: 6.0
After basic rehab work, left foot’s PF felt good enough. Had a good morning going up and down Sand Springs doing tempo repeats of the climb there. Legs and ankles did alright compared to yesterday. Figure it’ll take a week or two to get everything back on track.