JAMBA THURSDAY

Yesterday's run with Pigeon was full of excitement . . . of the nonrunning variety that is.

First, as I was waiting in the Rio Americano parking lot, this arrived:

That is never a good sign. It seems that someone, most likely one of the high school football athletes injured themselves during practice. The paramedics didn't seem too rushed to get in there and were pretty calm bringing in the gurney so I assume, it might have been a little heat exhaustion experienced perhaps by a rookie freshman.

Once Pigeon arrived, I noticed she was taking her usual time to get out of the car. I also notice she parked BEHIND my car so I couldn't see her get out. I won't dwell too much on this issue, but she's injured. Bad. She's being stubborn and not making appointments to see a doctor or a chiropractor. It is driving me bonkers because I can see she is in pain, not just a little pain, but severe cannot breathe type of pain. As a mother and as a friend, this destroys me. She has the Sierra Nevada Double (50 miles) coming up in a little over a month and a half. She is not getting quality miles in lately because she cannot run without pain. Her running form is being destroyed by compensation and her body is screaming for rest and help. However, she's an adult and I can't make her do anything she does not want to do.

So yesterday was no exception. We did a lot of this:

Pigeon walking

I don't mind of course. I don't want to see her hurt herself or push more than she should. Our planned six miles on Thursday, ended up being short of 5 miles total. I am okay with that as I am not training for anything, but I still worry.

I am a little nervous for myself as Saturday is a "big run" for me. Myself, Coach Nikon, Pigeon and Miss P are all getting together to run a section of the Western States 100 trail I have never been on before. It is referred to as Cal Street or Cal 1 . . . I have no idea what that means and I am not even confident that I will be able to find the meet up location but I am excited. The distance should be about 18 miles or so, longer than I have run in a while and definitely a lot more "hilly" than I have run in a VERY long time. Vans is letting me escape for the day. The run itself should take 3 to 3.5 hours, the drive up and back is an hour each way and the run is a point to point so you have to leave in time to drive BACK to one of the cars. Overall, a very LONG day away from home.

Back to last nights run . . .

On our turn around, we did a lot of walking. As we were walking, I noticed a man running towards us on the opposite side of the trail. I then heard a very loud CRACK. A tree on the side of the trail started to shake and move and all of a sudden if fell! It missed the runner by a few inches and only because he heard it and moved out of the way just in time!

fallen tree

If that man had been wearing headphones he probably would have been hit by the tree! It was crazy. There was really no reason for the tree to fall . . . Pigeon and I wandered over to inspect it a little closer.

It broke from the center. Looks pretty old. Oddly the runner didn't seem that phased by almost getting squashed by the tree. I probably would have been hyperventilating!

We eventually made it back to the car and Pigeon did a little stretching. I once again mothered her with advice pleading her to see someone about her aches and pains.

While I was out walking with Pigeon watching trees fall down, Vans and the Peanut were doing their usual Thursday night Jamba Juice Father Daughter Day. It has become a ritual with them now. So much in fact, that we cannot pass a Jamba Juice without the Peanut asking "can I have Jamba Juice please?" I leave that up to Dad as I am not a big Jamba Juice fan.

Catching up on some cycling news

Cheese!

Tasty!

OFF TRACK

The Trailmomma household has been been a bit off track lately. I ran Sunday but only 4 miles as Vans was out mountain biking. The Peanut woke up Saturday morning with a boiling hot fever which continued into Sunday. We believe her 2 year molars (all four of them) are coming through the gumline and causing the fevers. Poor kid.

She can't eat, she can't sleep but she's still as cute as ever.

Monday morning was the same old story, feverish and pale which means no daycare. Vans stayed home in the morning and I came home at lunch time. Her nap was practically nothing because I think she's battling throbbing pains and headaches.

When she woke up from her nap though she was bored and tired of being cooped up inside. I loaded her into the car and drove to a near by park only to realize it was way too hot outside to play on the slides. What to do now? 

Ta-da! Nothing like a McDonald's sundae to bring some cheer into a two year olds life (not to mention calories). The Peanut enjoyed just a few spoonfuls of that vanilla ice cream and then wanted to play.

As a mom, I can't say I am proud of taking her to McDonalds but she had a blast running through the indoor (air-conditioned) play structure for 30 minutes or so. After McDonalds it was off "to see the animals!"

Really, I took her to PetSmart. Lots of owners walking with their dogs and of course the kittens and fish were a hit . . . mostly the fish. She did turn to me and asked me to "see the cows" . . . oops, I think she has confused the PetSmart with the State Fair.

After that we headed home where a friend and her little boy were coming over. I think having a friend over cheered her right up.

Tonight I am meeting Pigeon for a speed workout. The bedtime routine for the Peanut has been off kilter lately so I must admit I am tired and sore (lots of sleeping in chairs next to the bed lately). The Peanut woke up today without a fever but still battling something. Whatever this is, I hope it passes.

JESSICA SIMPSON MAY BE SMARTER THAN WE THINK

You are all probably thinking "Trailmomma has lost her marbles! Now she's talking about Jessica Simpson!?" Well, there is a reason. Stay with me ...

Thursday, Pigeon and I did hill repeats on Pennsylvania Avenue. I woke up Friday morning feeling pretty darn good. The legs were not sore at all and I decided to rest from any running to let all my muscles recover.

I got ready for work and being that it was a Friday and my work is a lot more casual than usual I decided to change things up a bit. My work attire is not fancy by any means, I do have it fairly lucky in that department, however on Fridays, we're allowed to wear jeans. Gotta love Fridays!

So I threw on a pair of jeans and then I threw on a pair of shoes I bought a while ago that I absolutely love but rarely wear. I am not a "heels" kind of person (unless it is winter then I wear boots since most pants manufacturers think everyone is 5ft 10 inches tall these days). But these shoes were "cute" "summery" and I really wanted to wear them.

Exhibit A: The Shoes

Cute right? 

I love these shoes and they are rather comfortable despite the 4.5 inch wedge. So threw on these babies and I headed to work. Throughout the course of my day, I don't normally do a whole lot of walking (my office is rather small) however, I did meet Vans at lunch time to view a home which required a lot of walking. 

I had read an article once quoting Jessica Simpson as saying (I am paraphrasing here): She loves to wear heels a lot because it works her legs. I think I even read that Audrina Patridge vacuums her home in heels to get an extra "workout" in for her legs. Now, I don't necessarily believe everything I read about every celebrity, but after wearing those shoes for about 5 hours yesterday and then going for a 16 mile run today . . .  I believe it!

This morning I met Pigeon at Cavitt for a 16 mile trail run. This is the farthest I have gone I think since the Western States Training Run back in May. The day was gorgeous and I was feeling pretty good when I arrived so I had high hopes for today's run.

Last night, we transitioned the Peanut into her big girl bed. Despite going to bed a lot later than usual (our fault, not hers) and waking maybe once or twice for a few moments, she did very well! We're so proud. However, that did mean my night of sleep was not exactly quality and I think I yawned four times in the middle of talking to Pigeon after I arrived this morning (in one sentence). 

We set off towards the trail and were immediately passed by some mountain bikers "Ah, it's going to be one of those days" as the trail was full of mountain bikers, Folsom Lake Trail Runners, a SacFit group and quite a few horses.  The pace felt good. We ran most of the dirt road behind Cavitt, something I love to do but unfortunately the last time we ran here, I just couldn't manage it. 

About 3 miles in, I was running too close to Pigeon listening to her talk about work and what is going on currently for her when a giant batch of roots (that I have run over 100 times mind you) jumped out and tripped me! I didn't go down, in fact Pigeon never even heard the four letter explicative that came flying from my mouth. I had rolled my ankle, hard. The same ankle that had been giving me troubles last year. Shoot! I had to tell her to stop so I could assess what the damage was and how to deal. The pain was bad but not terrible, definitely ligament like but not excruciating. I decided to keep going knowing later I might pay for it but from that point on, my ankle would continue to be weak. 

The overlook came so quickly today. The first 5 miles just seemed to fly by without much trouble (minus the ankle incident). We stopped to take in the view (isn't it pretty?) and have some water. Last weekend, Pigeon and I figured out the "lazy mans way" of drinking water from your hydration pack. I actually discovered this by accident last weekend but determined it quite useful!

If you wear a hydration vest and you bed over with the valve in your mouth, the pressure from your back shoots the water into the tube and then into your mouth! No need to try and suck the water out. This is especially helpful if you're sucking wind after a hard run! 

So off we went with me leading and dodging every single green branch or twig that was sticking out on the trail. It is becoming quite overgrown in sections which makes me extremely nervous about poison oak. I did do my pre-run oak treatment but I am never convinced and still panic. 

Out of no where, we hit the 8 mile marker! Our turn around spot. This was the easiest 8 miles I have run in a long time. I was feeling great, Pigeon said she was feeling pretty good too (despite an obvious limp from her left side, ahem, Pigeon!). 

Funny. Our turn-around view looks very similar to our 5 mile overlook view. There were boats and jet skis out on Folsom Lake today. It was just a beautiful day all around.

I am trying to get better at the self-portrait shots. Squinty eyes? Um, roger that. 

That's actually a really great photo of Pigeon. She'll always smile no matter what which is why running with her is so much fun. 

After stopping for a few minutes and then starting again, my legs felt TIRED. Oh boy. Amazing how 8 on the way "in" feels so great yet 8 on the way "out" can seem daunting. Still, we motored on. Pigeon took the lead and practice adding some speed to her inclines and decents where I, on the other hand, was just enjoying the trail, the day and how I felt. I have no need for speed these days. 

We hit the overlook again and Pigeon stopped to take some Gu . . . I stopped to take some pictures.

That's Pigeon taking a Gu and me being cheesy (geez squint much trailmomma?) 

On our way back, we ran into friends, other trail runners and quite a few horses (and quite a bit of horse evidence, if you know what I mean).

Make way for the horses!

When you see a horse on the trail, the horse always has the right of way. Luckily, we didn't see any turkeys on this run! Yeah! Maybe mother nature thought I had my fill last Thursday huh?

We finished the last mile and a half running with a woman who approached us. Her name was Carrie (I believe) and she was amazingly nice (and fit). She had run AR50 as well but was rehabing a knee and hip injury. She was visibly strong and extremely nice. All three of us chatted the entire last mile and a half which of course made it fly by which is even nicer! 

Once at the car I had to use some Technu because unfortunately, I think I ran through quite a bit of oak today. However, I only had enough to do one leg! Ack! Time for more Technu! In case you are wondering, I chose to "save" the right leg and left the leg to fend for itself. 

Overall, a great run today. My calves were screaming at me when we finished which I think was partly due to my wonderful shoes on Friday and also Thursday's hills. I normally don't feel the affects of our runs until later in the evening or the next day but today, now that I am home, I am definitely feeling some tiredness and some achey feelings in the ankle region. 

Vans and the Peanut were enjoying their Saturday morning fun. The Peanut woke up at 7:00 am which is normal for her on a weekend. True to all the rumors we've heard, she woke up and stayed in her bed as if a magical shield was preventing her from leaving. She can climb in easily but she has not quite grasped the new found freedom having a big girl bed brings. I know, it's only a matter of time.

This is some home video of the Peanut seeing her big girl bed for the very first time.

50 MILES SMIFTY 50 MILES

One would think that running the American River 50 Miler was one of the toughest things I have ever done. Nope. What I did last night was probably the scariest toughest thing I have ever done and I am not so sure I want to ever do it again. AR50, sure yeah, of course I'd do that again . . . last night . . . not so much.

Yesterday was Thursday (duh), one of the days I usually meet Pigeon for a run. Mind you, I am not training for anything whereas Pigeon has a 50 miler coming up in September. Okay, I lie, I have a half marathon I am training for (big whoop in comparison).

We've been comfortable as of late running just 6 here and 8 there during the week with no real purpose or quality to our workouts. This week that changed with some "pick ups"on Tuesday and last night we had decided to do hill repeats.

We decided to revisit Pennsylvania Avenue which is where my training group did hill repeats back in February. When we met the group, it was at night and therefore dark. We also met over near Sunrise and ran to the bottom of the hill. Last night however, neither Pigeon nor I knew how to reach that section of the trail again so I followed  Pigeon's instructions and parked at the Fair Oaks Club House. Fair Oaks. The chicken/rooster capitol of the world (not sure if that is necessarily true but that's what I call it). It is infested with chickens, roosters and lord knows what other fowl running rampant all throughout the town. I never go there. If I do, I never usually get out of my car. The only times I actually run through Fair Oaks is during the California International Marathon and even then I am on the look out despite the fact that hundreds have run before me and have scared all the chickens/roosters away.

So for the entertainment of the blog AND to get some quality hill repeats in, I sucked it up and drove out to Fair Oaks via Sunrise. During rush hour (mistake numero uno). After missing my turn and making a u-turn and just getting flustered I finally arrived at the club house and parked. This is what I saw outside my driver's side window:

Look at how HUGE that thing is!

I freaked, pulled out my cell phone and called Pigeon who was only 2 cars down from me. I was hoping she'd answer and then come over and scare that thing away. Luckily, she saw me pull in and was already on her way over towards my car.

By the look on my face I must have looked pretty petrified as she asked if I was okay. I told her I don't like Fair Oaks and she said we could have met elsewhere. I know however, that I needed to suck it up. I knew once we got to the hill the birds would not be near us.

We took off running towards Pennsylvania Avenue which is about a mile from where we parked. Only a few more rooster encounters happened along the way but nothing too serious. As usual, I had to stop and use the restroom. We also discovered they've built a new restroom at the bottom of Pennsylvania Avenue! Just for me! How sweet!

Before we started we took some photos. Pigeon wanted to show off where we were and did her "sign pose" for you:

Taa-Daaa!

Next it was my turn. I wanted to show that I was really a "tough" trailmomma and not the shaken bird fearing trailmomma I really am:

(gulp) Don't mess with me birds!

After that little session we took off. Pennsylvania is a pretty long hill. It flattens out in the middle giving you the impression that the hill is over only to fool you with a steep curving section that leads to the top. I decided to run this by heart rate and not by time. I took the lead with Pigeon close on my tail.

When I reached the top and turned around to make my decent, I actually jumped because I saw this:

It is hard to see in that photo but it is a fake deer (aka lawn ornament) holding a No Trespassing sign that scared me half to death! It looked so real (um, because all deer hold signs?). I had to laugh at myself and of course take a photo.

Pigeon finishing repeat #1

When I reached the bottom and waited for Pigeon to come in I realized my dead leg feeling had gone away! The hill woke me up and actually energized me. I had forgotten how long and tough of a hill it was but I also had forgotten that I actually LIKE doing hill repeats.

I waited until my heart rate cooled down a bit and took off again. I am also more of a "get them all over with quick" kind of person rather than dragging things out. We had decided earlier that 4 repeats sounded good to us.

Repeat number 2 was fairly uneventful. The road had much more traffic on it (both cars and bikers) than it had the night our training group met. It felt weird for me to run on the opposite side of the road you're supposed to run on. You should normally run against traffic but on this hill, the natural inclination on the way up is to run on the side with traffic.

Repeat #3 over and done. 1 to go!

On our last repeat we hit some teenage boys who were riding their bikes up from the river. It was pretty obvious they don't ride up Pennsylvania Avenue very much as they were struggling. I passed one of the boys as I crested the very top and turned to take a photo of Pigeon.

Instead the tired biker got in my shot but all I kept thinking was "yeah I passed you teenager! Woot Woot!" Childish, yes, I know.  

I flew to the bottom after that feeling great. I really do like hill repeats!

       All done and all smiles!

Then, a wave of fear took over me as I realized we had to run back to our cars which meant back to the roosters and chickens.

Yup. They were still there and they seemed to have multiplied! Apparently Thursday nights in Fair Oaks is "comedy night" or "concert in the park" night or something. In other words, hundreds of people were gathering in the park near our cars . .. dropping bits of food here and there no less causing all the roosters and chickens to come and join the party. Ugh.

Thursday night fun

Even the little gate that leads to this park has a rooster on it. Pigeon posed with it.

I, on the other hand, wouldn't even go near it. I didn't want the "real" roosters thinking I was bird friendly. When we reached my car I stopped dead in my tracks. This is what I saw:

Roosters hanging by my car!

How was I supposed to get in my car to go home?! Two of those big roosters were camped out right near my  driver's side door (and a few were under my car too). Pigeon was of course laughing hysterically at me. I texted Vans that I would "be a little late" getting home and sent him the above picture. He'd understand. He can't believe I actually agreed to go to Fair Oaks in the first place. Thinking back, neither can I. The things I try and do for blog entertainment!

Eventually the roosters wandered off (after I made Pigeon chase them away) and I jumped into my car. We were still in mid conversation but I couldn't stand out in the parking lot any longer, the roosters were closing in on me. So there we stood at my car, me inside with the window down and Pigeon outside basically laughing at me.

Minus the petrified emotional state I was in at the beginning and end of our workout, it was a great night and a great quality workout. Hill repeats really do strengthen you as a runner and I like how my legs actually feel like all the muscles are working.

While I was off battling the attack of the crazy roosters (okay, not really) Vans and the Peanut were enjoying their father/daughter night.

First up, their usual trip to Jamba Juice!

Mmmm!

Yesteday was also "water balloon day" at daycare. Vans was suckered in by that sweet face into buying more balloons at the store. Which of course later became water balloons!

Ammo!

That just screams trouble!

NO PAIN NO . . . .

Despite both of us feeling various aches and pains, both Pigeon and I set out last night for our usual Tuesday workout but with the intentions of adding some "mile pick ups" in the middle.

Pigeon arrived a smidge late as she was coming from a massage appointment. Good for her. If I was her, I would have taken the time to enjoy that massage and reap its benefits instead of running but then again, that's me and not her.

I decided to run after having seen my chiropractor earlier in the day. I was sore but definitely on the mend compared to how I felt earlier that morning. Today I feel fantastic so I am glad I saw him.

Our initial plan was to warm up a mile, pick up the pace for a mile, slow for half mile, pick up for a mile and so on. When I arrived I informed Pigeon my stomach bug is still very present and that I'd be stopping to pee at the first bathroom we passed, which happens to be 1.5 miles in. There goes our plan.

Pigeon was visibly in some pain so we decided to try our first pick up at mile 2 instead. I apologize, I forgot my camera last night so no JC Penny photos to share. I'l try and make up for it on Thursday when we do hill repeats.

The first pick up I felt okay, good even, but then about 3/4 of the way in I felt exhausted. Pigeon I can tell was struggling behind me as I heard her footsteps drop farther back. Her poor back. Her poor body! After that pick up we checked in with each other and there I learned how much pain she really was in but she was determined to do more pick ups. Myself on the other hand, decided one more mile pick up might have been heaving by the side of the trail. Instead, we did 1 minute pick ups on the way back giving her more of a chance to recover and to not put too much strain on her back.

I still think she should be resting completely until she figures out what is going on with her back but she's one pigheaded stubborn runner.

Overall it was a better run than expected (at least for me). Battling my shoulder/back pain along with whatever stomach bug I seem to be dealing with lately has left me less than excited to run at all. Last night however, I felt like I might be slowly coming back to "normal" and Pigeon boosted my ego when she told me that my 7 lb weight loss (that I've been working hard at lately) was actually visable when she compared recent photos to past ones. It is hard to see weight loss on someone you see on an almost daily basis. That got me recharged to continue my clean eating habits and early morning runs.

Today I popped out of bed at 5:30 am and went for a nice cool 3 mile run around the neighborhood. These runs are not for training purposes. My speed isn't anywhere near fast but I enjoy these runs the most I think. I am the only one out there, minus the occaisonal dog walker and the temperature is just cool and enjoyable. Occaisonally a sprinkler will turn on somewhere and get me which adds to the fun.

One of these mornings I should bring my camera with me. I run through a neighborhood of beautiful mansions and as I pass them my mind immediately goes to "what if" scenarios . . . "what if I lived there" "what if that one was my house!" It's fun and also depressing. ha

While I was out running, the Peanut was helping Vans make dinnner. This is her apprentice chair.

..

We're also working on teaching the Peanut how to swim. Really, we're just teaching her to play in the pool. Fun for all.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

I am alive just down . . . but not out. I woke up Monday morning with some bizarre pain shooting behind my left shoulder blade and upper torso. Putting my seat belt on when I get into my car is pure torture. I "adviled" myself up yesterday but today decided to be "tough" and therefore took nothing. Not a good choice.

I did see a chiropractor this morning. He cracked things that I didn't think could crack! Because it hurts for me to breathe he tought I might have cracked a rib. I highly doubted this unless I got into a big fight in my sleep Sunday night.

He poked and prodded and after the adjustment gave me some stimming/stemming(???) treatments. I don't feel much better really but he did say I have a mass of knots behind my shoulder blade. So much in fact that he could see them protruding from my shirt. Lovely. Doctor's orders? "Get a massage!" Oh well, if I am ordered then I must follow his orders right?

I need to call Lily but just don't have the time right now. Work is insane and we've been shopping for a big girl bed for the Peanut! We found one, ordered it and it's arriving this weekend. I am so excited to set it up and have her see it!!

She really enjoyed furniture shopping too!

Tonight I am meeting Pigeon for our usual run although we're supposed to work in some "mile pick ups" to change things up a bit, I am not sure how that will play. Luckily my shoulder/back is so high up that it isn't affected by running or moving, just twisting.

Things should be fine as long as a bird or turkey doesn't jump in my way!

SURPRISES & AN EMPTY TANK

Last night the Peanut and I drove out to Granite Bay to surprise Vans. It was his last Total Body Fitness mountain biking race of the season. We fooled him big time. I picked up the Peanut from daycare and we drove up to Granite Bay (thank you Captain Kirk!) realizing Vans had not yet arrived. When I called him, he was just pulling into the parking lot and had not seen my car.

He sounded tired and glum and the Peanut and I wished him good luck. As he was walking to the registration tent, the Peanut and I jumped out and surprised him. The smile on his face was priceless. He was visibly happy to see us there.

The Peanut loves to play in Van's truck

Vans did very well in his race. It was the first time all season he has beaten his friend (who is in an different age bracket) and he told the Peanut she was his good luck charm.

Father Daughter Team

Vans & his friend Sarcasm

It was a long night for the Peanut and I. After leaving Vans and Sarcasm we headed home, showered and were in bed. Luckily the Peanut fell asleep quickly whereas I was wide awake all night long. I am already negative hours in my sleep lately due to the Peanut's recent night wakings. Now she was finally sleeping and here I was wide eyed. Ugh.

5:30 am came all too quickly.  My alarm went off and I literally rolled out of bed and got ready to meet Pigeon at Cavitt Stallman for our scheduled run. I knew instantly something was not right. My legs just felt dead and my body felt like I was close to being on empty. I figured it was just some sleep deprivation and grogginess. 

I quickly put on my pre-poison oak treatment and then crawled into a ball in the back of my truck waiting for Pigeon to arrive. I was freezing to boot.  Pigeon arrived not much later and took her time getting out of her car. Little did I know, her back was still bothering her and she was easing herself out of her seat. 

We greeted each other and both basically shrugged off our aches and pains as "no big deal" and started our run. Two pig headed, stubborn trail runners at best. 

When we hit the single tracks and rounded a corner, the Pigeon let out a big yelp! When I got near, I saw the biggest deer I have ever seen with antlers that reached towards the sky!

 You can barely see him in the above photo because Pigeon's yelp scared him away. We knew instantly this would be a run involving lots of wildlife. I had already had a coyote jump in front of my truck on my drive in. 

We made it to the overlook spot and took a few photos. I think mainly we enjoyed the moment to stop, or at least I did. I was struggling.

 The view

Posing

I don't think Pigeon was intending to do a JCPenny pose however, that is how it appeared to me. I think we are starting to do these kinds of poses subconsciously. Probably not ideal huh? 

P-Fresh for Coach Nikon

After goofing off for a few minutes we decided that we needed to make a choice: Are we going to finish our plan, 6 miles out and 6 miles back or call it quits right here and now? Pigeon confided that if she keeps moving, her back is fine but the minute we stop, she seizes up a bit. I, on the other, needed the breaks to rest my exhausted legs and queasy stomach.

Of course we had a glimpse of a moment where we both felt "great" and decided to continue forward to the 6 mile turn around. I don't know about Pigeon, but about half way in I thought "crap, should have called it quits back there."

Still, it was nice to reach the distance and turn around. Turning around for me is always like a "new run" or at least that is how my brain processes it. I break my runs up into sections and the way back is always part 2. 

I took the lead for a brief while but realized that I would just slow us down. I let Pigeon go ahead and diligently tried to keep her in my sights. 

We were less than 3 miles from the finish when I saw Pigeon stop, turn around and grab me by my shoulders. She said, "You do not want to go this way. Turn around now." Of course curiosity got the better of me and I peeked over her shoulder. I saw about 10 huge turkeys scattered all over the trail. One momma turkey and about 9 babies standing in the middle of the trail, blocking us.

Just a few of the turkeys

Me, hyperventilating because of the above turkeys!

Pigeon told me to "stay here, I am going to take a picture" and off she went . . . with me on her heals. I wasn't going to be left alone so the turkeys could get me! As she approached the turkeys, the mother turkey turned and looked as if she was about to charge my friend . . . I think I screamed which caused the bird to fly which I think caused Pigeon to scream! Oh what sight we must have been. 

I realize my fear is probably silly to some and hilarious to others, heck, it is hilarious to me but I still can't get past it. All I kept thinking was, "thank goodness Pigeon was here otherwise I'd be camped out far down the trail all by myself waiting for the turkeys to move on their own."

After a few laughs, we continued on our way. It seems a few trees have fallen since last weekend.

Pigeon's fake action shot

The rest of the run was fairly uneventful. I have to say this was a somber 12 mile run for us as there was barely any talking or joking. I think we're both battling some issues and were within ourselves today more than we were communicating to each other. Still, another great run with a friend. I enjoy my time out on the trails with Pigeon despite the wild and crazy turkeys. 

I am learning to enjoy the Cavitt dirt road too. I have come to terms with it. I realized today that I do not like racing on that road but I do like training on it however, you have to be feeling pretty good otherwise that hilly road will kick you while you're down and leave you there to fry in the sun. Today, I feel like it kicked me pretty hard. 

Cheese!