|
|
|
|
 What's  ?Shoes for Runner's Runner's Expo Books For Sale ! Forums Live Chat Room! Runners Clinic Event Calendar Running News & Stories Headline News Race Applications Race Results Photo Gallery Scrap Books Run Clubs Regular Runs Runners F.A.Q. Links Guestbook Software Add to Calendar Runner Survey Contact Us Advertise Search Pace Chart
|
by Bernie Steininger I live in Vancouver, only one block from Stanley Park, and therefore am lucky enough to have many miles of trails to do my training. I share the park with many wild amimals and am always pleased when I cross paths with my friend the coyote, for example. He is always unpreturbed by our meeting and simply walks off deeper into the bush. As runners we know we always face potential threats wherever we run. Cars, curbs, dogs and of course in the trails there is always the possiblity of twisting an ankle. This winter I added a new risk. A new problem that in 20 years of running the trails, or anywhere else for that matter, I had never encountered. I started my run in the very late afternoon. I had the park to myself and I enjoyed my 6 miler. However, now the park was getting dark. It was hard to see. I had to concentrate on my footing. It was difficult to see past the trails into the bushes. There are a few strange characters that do live in the park and I was looking forward to getting out of the trees and onto the road. It was very still. Then I felt it. On my head. I screamed. Believe me this was a real no holes barred scream. I will not lie folks I was really scared. I ducked and as I did so I looked up and saw the biggest owl I have ever seen in my life. The huge wings moved slowly and effortlessly as it said goodbye. I set a PB getting out of the park. That adrenalin is great stuff. After phoning the bird experts the next day I was told that owls have a thing for men with not much hair on top. They think that we are prey or something. What do they think we are? I mean does a balding 52 year old look like dinner? So to my running pals out there. It is not enough to worry about injuries, overtraining, races, proper diet, enough rest we now have another worry. Being hunted by owls. To women runners apparently you are not out of the woods, so to speak. It seems owls like to dive bomb women with pony tails. It thinks you are big squirrels or something. I assure you that none of this is made up. Watch yourself in the trails people. Perplexed and running carefully in the trails.
Have you got a human interest story about a runner you know or a race report to share ? OTR is happy to share stories like this with our readers. Send us your stories, your experiences!
Copyright © 1998 ontherunevents.com, All rights reserved.
please visit
|
