I found a running trail at the local park. It works for me, although I'd rather be in Monroe on my "old" course; I miss it so much.
This new track is 1/2 mile around, so it takes 10 laps just to run 5 miles. Regardless, I've decided this is my best option, so I headed out today to run 30 minutes, before I did light weight training. As I started off, I remembered why it is that I sometimes loathe this trail. Squirrels. They're EVERYWHERE! Cute, cuddly little things....NO! They're fearless, and intrusive.
So this morning, a squirrel came out of the shadows into the very bright sunlight running straight toward me, which caused me to stumble and nearly trip! I decided to clap obnoxiously loud in order to scare these annoying creatures.
Again!! Another one, out of the shadow of the tree, right into my brightly lit path. At this point I'm infuriated because I can't just focus on my run, my music, my thoughts; I have to be worried about an ambush from a stinkin' squirrel.
I notice a woman walking, with her sunglasses, headphones, and a little sack. I think, "Hm, that's strange, she's exercising with a sack on her shoulder." So as I run past her in the opposite direction I notice a squirrel chomping on a peanut, the old fashioned elephant sort of peanut. Now, I'm no expert, but I know that those don't grow around here. I realize the lady is feeding the squirrels! SHE'S sabotaging my run!
As I passed her again, I asked,
"Are you feeding the squirrels?"
"Yes! (smile, very proud of herself)
I know I'm supposed to be "zipping it" this week, but I couldn't help but tell her,
"It makes it really tough on me because they think that I'm going to feed them."
"Oh," she says, "They think everybody is going to feed them." (giggle)
So, Squirrel Lady, please, refrain from feeding the squirrels next time. If you'd like to make squirrel friends, find a nice park bench and sit down, I'm certain they'll come to you.
