Snakes, lizards, and turtles, OH MY!

I was out for about 2 hours on my run today. I had planned to do 8 miles on the pine trail but was pretty much forced to turn around after a little over 2 miles. After a mile of running I was being told to stop and turn around. I turned my music off to see what was going on and in the distance I heard several gun shots-which I didn't hear when I had my music on. I continued on confused, not knowing if I was really being warned so I asked for a specific sign, and in less than a minute it was in front of my face so I turned around. I headed for the cement trail. Ugh! I hate concrete and my body hates it too! I don't want to run much on cement because it causes my upper left leg to irritate me. So I just did my 4 miles of running - 2 miles on the pine trail and 2 on the cement, and walked another 2+ miles...

On my way out to the cement trail I stopped and snacked on a couple of delicious persimmons. Damn are they good. Really good! I also came across several Anoles, one on a bridge. She sat and watched me and went from an olive green to a rusty brown that matched the metal of the bridge. I watched with envy. Sometimes I wish that I could turn my skin different colors to blend with my environment...

And fuck was it hot on my run today! It is 85 now and I went out around 2:30PM. Yuck! The woods are still damp from last nights rain and the heat just blasted me in the face and filled my lungs...
It didn't help that all I had before my run was 1-1/2 cups of water to drink...BAD MOVE!

And the snakes, lizards, and turtles...they were out today...enjoying the heated damp trails! Out searching for food. I came across two turtles at different times, one chowing on a Luna moth or Hornworm looking caterpillar. That pillar was big, green, and juicy and was oozing guts all over the ground while half was in the turtles mouth and the other half was hanging out. I came across a Garter snake too. This Garter really resembled a Western Plains Garter Snake. Very bright yellows and blacks. Very pretty. Another reason I'm not fond of cement trails is that they attract people! I like running trails that have NO people! I like it to just be me and the wildlife. If there are other runners that isn't so bad because they are there and gone. They don't linger. Anyway, while on the cement trail a family was out. The three children on their bikes and the parents walking. The children spotted an Anole, got off their bikes and ran after it. I heard one of the children yelling, "EWWW, mommy, the tail fell off. EWWW..."
I was a bit bummed but also thought of when I grew up and thought of all the pet salamanders and on that I had taken from the forest. I wish that somebody would have told me when young that it wasn't alright to take these creatures out of the forest...just like I wished that the parents of these children would have told their children to watch from a distance and to leave all wildlife alone. But instead they threatened the Anole. When this happens they drop their tails off and run like hell.
Shortly after this incident I came to the end of the trail and turned around. I caught up with the family again and passed them on the right, boy was I glad because less than 20 feet there was a beautiful rat snake. Enjoying the warmth of the concrete. I know those children would have ran her over with their bikes if I didn't come across her first. She wouldn't budge when I nudged her with my fingers. She looked dried out from sitting in the sun. She looked dead, but her tongue said different. I ripped a piece of Kudzu vine off and used it to poke at her upper body. This plumped her up and she became very alert and finally zipped off into the woods. I was relieved...

What an exciting day!

Tonight I'm going to lift weights and I'm going to go on a late bike ride. For now I'm going to down lots of water and stuff my face with food.

More later.

Sore from 8.25's workout!

I'm sore from shoulders to quads! I had a great full body workout. I didn't think it was too intense but it did make me tired, and I'm fucking sore today!

I was supposed to run 4 1/4 miles yesterday but could only do 3 miles. I didn't get in my stretches afterwards which was a dumb move but I'll stretch good today after my workout and run.

Yea, so I feel great today! More later.

I feel GREAT!

Holy hell. I just wiped myself out lifting weights. I feel good though! I haven't really lifted in months. I did a full body workout...
Yea, I'm totally exhausted! I need to go put some protein in my stomach.

Tomorrow I'm back to running. I'm stoked. I ate well today. I could have ate more. Tomorrow I will do that. I plan to have a nice big breakfast so then I will be provided with energy throughout the entire day. Today I lacked energy so getting myself to lift was a bit hard...but fuck, I'm stoked that I did.

More later.

Feeling motivated...

So, I have taken some time off from running. I put in some miles here and there but other than that I have put my runs on hiatus. My left leg was causing some problems but hopefully the time that I have taken off has helped it get better. I'll find out tomorrow after my run!

I'm ready to hit the trails again. When I lack exercise in my life I get moody and I end up with pent up energy. If you don't have any way of getting your energy out you end up feeling like shit.

Also for the next month I'm going to be hitting the weights hard. And I cleaned my diet up. I have been having too much summer fun and now it's time to get serious with the new season coming in. FALL! I fucking love fall! This is the best time for running!

Oh, and, I've been reading Ultramarathon Man. I'm getting close to the end. I fucking love this book. If you haven't read it already I suggest that you do! Especially if you run or want to and need more motivation. After reading about Dean Karnazes crazy adventures you will be left feeling adventurous and motivated. I sure do.

Alright, I will be posting more later.