The Buck that got away. Or did I?

The cool weather this morning brought out the deer in Leon creek. I was day dreaming, thinking about my friends who were at the Cactus Rose 50 and 100 miler. Meandering through a heavily wooded portion of the creek. Then all of a sudden, up the trail, I saw something coming around the bend. It was a tall, young, 6 point buck. It froze. And so did I. He didn't move! I raised my hands up in the air. It raised it's head as if to say "What ya got?" Wow! He wouldn't budge. I reached for my camera phone while thinking, This guy is confronting me. Then he jerked and started to walk off the trail just as a mountain biker came up behind me. We both watched as the buck disappeared through the woods. I told the biker about what I just experienced. "They're aggressive right now" the mountain biker said. "They're after doe." I continued running and thought, What if the biker hadn't come along? Ah, I could have taken that deer. Thank God I didn't have to. And yes, the doe were everywhere.

Today

Out for a 6 miler at Government Canyon this morning.
Met with John who was running 12, but I am still building up my mileage. It's been a long time since I've been at GC, The brush is thick and overgrown onto the trails. I loved it. I mentioned to J, "just once! I'd like to get a glimpse of Snagglepuss" The elusive mountain Lion that roams Government Canyon. Not one mile later I saw a creature about the size of a domesticated cat dart out of the brush and quickly back in! I definitely saw a ring around it's tail. I got My wish! Although it was a smaller version. Probably a Bobcat.
At the crossroads with the main trail, J and I parted ways. I didn't want to go back down the boring main trail, so I ran over to a more interesting trail to take back to my truck. All the while I thought I heard something rustling in the brush next to me. Aw, It's just my imagination, I thought. It reminded me of running my 100 miler. People asked me if I hallucinated, as many do on hundred mile runs. Chris, who ran the 100 miler with me was disappointed that he did not hallucinate during the night portion of the race. I did see things that were not there. And I brushed it off to the shadows from my light against the bushes and the fact that I was tired. Or just like when you see images in the clouds across the sky. Geez! I should have gone with the hallucination and ridden the wave!
I ran into Orlando and friends on my way down to my truck. We chatted a while, I told him my story and and he whispered he had something up his sleeve as far as scaring his wife E and her friend. If you know E, You'll know it's OK. She's a good sport. And loves to laugh when teased.
9+ glorious miles on the trails when I was done.
I then attended a mass for a friend of mine who was killed 15 years ago while riding his bicycle on the road. I met with his family. His children, all grown up, with children of their own.
Be safe out there all. Running, riding, or driving on the road.

A taste of O.P. Schnabel Park Today

On "Biker's Whine." Winding dirt trail. Across a small creek bed. Thick brush, twisting turning, some rocks. Low branches, sounds in the trees. Or was it in the brush? Short up and downs along a little hillside, shady and weaving around trees. Taking the longer way around, not the shortcuts cut out by the mountain bikers.
Next, "Cedar loop trail". Round and round we go through thick low cedar trees. Through the Bamboo chute, popping back out to circle the cedars. Cross the road to a trail yet to be named. Down to the lower level of the big main Leon Creek bed. Over washed out trails laden with softball sized rocks. Back on smooth dirt trails. SNAKE! It slithers away. Pause to see a young healthy 4 point Buck hiding in the brush. He turns and runs. Climb the steep cliff! "Don't slip! Grab onto that tree root and pull yourself up!" Catch our breath at the top and back onto the soft dirt trail down to the starting point. 4 1/4 miles filled with conversation with nature and John.
Thanks for calling Bud. Wonderful run.

Energy

Don't know whether it's the cool weather, or my recent change to eating vegan, but I have been feeling really good on my latest workouts and runs. The foot is still not one hundred percent, but it seems to be getting better. At Thursday's club run I ran one loop on the outer trails at Eisenhower park. I ran alone because I was late. Not wanting to be late to meet my friends in the parking lot before we headed to Freetail brewery, I ran at a quick pace. To my surprise, I did not slow down and only walked once near the top of one steep climb. At one point two young ladies moved out of my way, then suddenly one of them tried moving back across the trail and I ran into her. No harm done. We both laughed. This morning I almost put on a pair of gloves to run. The air was cool and crisp. I left the house with only my iPod. No water, no gel, no phone, nada, thinking I wouldn't run long. I ran to Leon Creek and it's a good thing I did not have water or I'd keep running past the three mile point where I turned around to head back. I still need to take it easy on the foot. Don't want to push too hard too soon (always my problem).
Since changing to a vegan diet my body seems to have more energy. As I understand from reading Branden Brazier's book "The Thrive diet", feed your body nutrient rich, real, unprocessed, and preferably raw food, and it will spend less energy digesting the food and thus, there is more energy for other things. Also, I seem to feel hydrated longer and don't get hungry as often. I've also decided to try and go Gluten free. This is a little tougher, But I've cut out about 90 percent of Gluten containing food. Some of that remaining 10 percent is in the beer :-)
Oh, and the Birkenstocks? Yes, They are great. And get better the more you walk in them. I bought another pair! A slip-on pair for wearing in the house.

running with friends for a cause and spending time with a friend, just because

It was such a great time today supporting my friends Liza and Amanda in their effort to raise funds for the wounded warrior program. L and A were running 12 hours at a high school track. Not just any track. This was held at St. Mary's Hall Preparatory school in San Antonio. The track around the lush, grassy football field is a top notch soft surface. Still, running 12 hours is nothing to sneeze at. After learning John would be running with the Ladies at the start, I decided I'd show up mid day to keep them company. I thought I'd stay about 2 hours. I had so much fun, I stayed almost 4! upon arriving, I found John S. running with the girls. J.S. is a colorful guy to say the least. Never short on conversation and punctuates his points well and loud. He's fun and keeps things interesting and lively. We ran barefoot when I arrived, alternating between the grass and the track. This felt good and was good for the Plantar Fasciitis I've been suffering from. the conversation was good and we were having fun. it was amazing to me that L and A were still in such good spirits and smiling,laughing and looking good after running over 6 hours. Then Chris arrived! C is also never short on words! we were alternating between running barefoot and wearing shoes. Some kids from UTSA ROTC showed up and ran with us also. As did several other folks. After a few laps, one of the UTSA kids remarked, "God, I feel old" They hung around, ran a bit, threw a football around for awhile and left after an hour or two. We also met Norma. A woman who read the article on Liza in the Newspaper a few weeks ago. "I followed her blog after reading the article" she said, "and I felt she was a really nice person, so I came out to support her, and it's a good cause".
Yes, Liza and Amanda are great! And fun to be around.
Chris said he'd stay late to keep L and A company, while I had to leave. A childhood friend had asked me to visit him last weekend and I was unable to. "I'll be there this weekend" I told Him. I headed out to Ernest's house at about 4 PM. We reminisced about our days growing up, discussed the paths our neighborhood friends had taken, and where we are at in life now. All the while, E's grandson wanted someone to play baseball with him. E was a great Baseball player back in High School. The "Glory Days" And, "no", I said to E. You can't play softball anymore. At our age, the muscles and ligaments don't respond to stopping and turning "on a dime."
I pitched to E's grandson and E played the outfield. He scooped the ball off the dirt on a ground ball, but He couldn't get to a fly ball in time.
Today was a good day.

Ride

What a beautiful day today! The morning was cool with a slight breeze, which later turned to a stiff wind coming from the north. I headed out to meet friends for a bicycle ride from Helotes to who knows where. I planned on running in my vibram five fingers,http://www.vibramfootwear.com/, on the grass around the soccer fields at OP Schnabel park beforehand, but it got late on me. What with drinking coffee, watching the latest news on TV and having breakfast, time just flew by.
At the Tri store in Helotes,Tx I met up with friends. Some I've ridden with lately and some I had not seen in awhile. We discussed the wind and hoped for a head wind heading out so we could ride the wind coming back. The route we chose did not provide this. We rode south through lush farm land dotted with pretty houses towards Rio Medina. Scenes like those in the childhood books I remember reading in elementary school. We moved at a very fast clip with the wind pushing us along. Wheeeeeeeeeee, we were rolling! We took a break at a convenience store where I received tons of advice from all the guys on treating my Plantar Fasciitus. When we decided to turn back two guys were so far ahead, we had to yell, whistle and wave to get there attention.
Heading back we worked together against the wind in a pace line. Taking turns pulling at the front for a spell then drifting back and falling in line to ride the draft. Just like ducks as they fly in formation across the sky as they head south for the winter. Hmmmmm...... I wonder now if the pet Mallard a childhood friend had was one that just couldn't hang with the flock? Come to think of it he'd leave in the spring! WE are south! I guess He hung out with us then flew NORTH for the SUMMER!. Guess he'd hitch a ride with a flock that would take him, or maybe his buddies would pick him up! He did come back in the fall a few times. One season he never returned. Any hoot, we moved pretty quick coming back. We enjoyed camaraderie and teased each other, joked, and laughed before we parted. I then went to OP Schnabel park to run around the soccer fields then stretch. As I ran, there was a team of young soccer players practicing. It brought back memories of my days as a youth soccer coach. As the coach instructed his players on shooting at the goal, he said "Kick the ball hard! Get mad!" Mad? No, I thought. Anger makes you lose control. Oh, well. He was a young coach. Hopefully he'll learn.

Foot

HOT Rockhoppers weekly Run! I made Thursdays regular club run at Eisenhower park. John and I met early and started at 5 PM. Our usual start time is 5:30. We thought no one else had definitely confirmed, so we began early. "Five easy miles?" John asked . "Sure" I responded. It started easy enough but at 10 minute mile pace, it became a bit to fast for me. I've been off too long. 10 minute mile pace may seem slow, but on trails at Eisenhower it is not so slow(for me). I thoroughly enjoyed being back on the trails. And Eisenhower is pretty, serene, and yet challenging with it's rocky climbs, descents and rooted paths. I LOVED IT! At three miles I still felt good (so did the foot). I told John I needed to go slower. He obliged, but by 4 miles the foot began to hurt. I completed 5 miles thinking I should have stopped at 3. After we were done, we saw Liza's car and waited. It was great to see her, her husband E and Son A walking off the trails as we were leaving. We chatted a bit.
Two days Later and my foot still hurts. Not too bad though but I must take it easy. I'll ride my bike Sunday.
My brother rants and raves about his Birkenstock sandals. I've never given it much thought, then I noticed a friend at work wearing them. I asked, "Are they really that great?"
Although my foot is a little bigger than hers, she let me place my foot in them. Hmmmm.... It felt good! "They mold to the shape of your foot" she said.
I bought some today. They feel good, and the sales person at the store said, "They'll feel better the more you wear them. you won't want to take them off"
I'll let you know.