Buck or Bear with me...

Since I got my Dirty Girl Gators from Mr. Q's weight loss challenge, I've been doing a lot more trail running.

Saturday morning I tried to get out for a run before my Open House. It was reasonably warm and I really love running in bush in the fall, but again I was delayed by phone calls and my Saturday 8:30 phone date with my dad...so by the time I got out the door it was raining.

I finally got out and headed into the bush and ran, it was exhilarating...I just love it.

Running on the trails out of the rain, listening to the sounds in the forest, the smell of the earth, rotting leaves and deep humus...ah, Mother Nature.

I live on an peninsula the juts into the Ottawa River, in the middle is the Torbolton Forest. A fantastic spot to hike, Nordic ski in the winter and trail run the rest of the season. It is also very popular with the snowmobilers.

As I headed out of the bush on my way back home, I headed towards the dirt road that would lead me back towards my place, I noticed a really strong odour. Knowing that often people would trailer in their horses and go for a ride through the forest, at first I didn't think anything of it. With the heavy air, I just figured it was quiet pungent, but, this was NOT a horse...

Once I got out onto the dirt road I headed back up the hill when I heard it.

FFFAHRUMPPFHHH, then I heard it again,

and again,

and again.

Very soft, very methodical, very menacing. What is it?? Do I throw myself down prone onto the muddy road? Do I start yelling, do I stand still and continue to listen? What do you do when you are alone on a deserted road, in the middle of a forest?

Was it a another runner goofing around? Was it a dog snuffling in the fallen leaves?

I was now parallel to the sound, I stopped running and started to walk backwards.

If it was a buck, I could probably scare it by shouting,

but if it was a bear, I would probably faint dead away.

And if it was a bear, I would have sooner seen it coming towards me than feeling the back of my scalp being peeled away if it came up from behind....gawd, what DO YOU DO?

So walking backwards really quickly I kept thinking, geez, now what?

Luckily a car came over the horizon of the hill and was heading in the direction of the noise...then I saw the brake lights come on!!!

Whatever it was, had been coming out of the bush.....holy crapiolla....

When I saw the tail lights, I took off like a shot....and blasted my way home. It was the fastest 5K I've ever run, 24 minutes....Holy Crap.

To this moment, I don't know if it was a buck or a bear, but you can be sure that for my run on Sunday, I stuck to the main roads...

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Bling, Books and being Tagged!

Life has been busy crazy! This is always a good thing, it just makes you know you are alive! Luckily, this being our Thanksgiving weekend, the weather is unbelievably warm, sunny and almost summer like. I've been in shorts all weekend long!!

As most of my friends and some of the faithful blog readers know I suffer terribly from Seasonal Affective Disorder or more commonly referred to as SAD, so I have been really trying very hard not to let it get its grip on me so early in the season. So far I have been incredibly lucky and even luckier with receiving my "winnings" for the virtual weight loss challenge that was managed so impeccably by Quadrathon!!!

You all know I'm all about the....

BLING

Way back in July, Mr. "Q" set up a Worth the Weight challenge which was exactly what I needed at that time. I had been training for marathons and half marathons but I also wanted to throw in a Try-a-Tri, gah, who needed to see me in a bathing suit....so it was just the best way for me to "start my engines", much to my surprise I ended up in SECOND place in the weight loss challenge!! It was a well fought out challenge but it certainly came at the right time and I'm happy to report I'm still losing weight!

Thursday I received a notice that I "had mail", yes the old fashioned snail mail, not cyberspace mail...well much to my surprise when I went to our rural post office it was my Bling from the gracious sponsor's, via Mr. Q.!!!

Thank You Mr. Q, but also at this point, I'd like to say a big, nay huge, thank you to the sponsors:

Marianne at Headsweats,

Xy at Dirty Girl Gaiters

and

Julie at Wicked Fast Sports

for the extremely generous prizes!!! Thank you so very, very much! They have found a very happy home here in Canada and I shall wear, install and energise with all of you in mind constantly!!! Thank YOU!

Books

Okay, I'm on a role here.

My buddy Ted at Ted's Running Journal and Logbook had purchased and read Dean Karnazes book, 50 / 50 and decided that while he loves his books, why not share it!!!

What a "novel" idea!!!

So doesn't he set the the library in motion with "the library on wheels" and puts it out there that the first person who responds to his blog gets the copy to read, comment and pass along. Well, aren't I over reading at Mrs. Shop.Jog.Blog and Yup you guessed it, I'm next to get the book, #3!!!

Ted has even gone to the trouble (thank you so much) to identify not only my beautiful country (Canada), but my breathtaking city (Ottawa) with our city's flag and ehmmmm, adult BEvERage and a little trivia as to who our Prime Minister is!! Wow Ted, you are the very BEST!

So now I am really looking forward to receiving, reading and passing this book along to the next lucky reader....stay tuned!

Tagged

My not so close Canadian neighbour (three provinces over, but we are close at heart), Leana, tagged me with "I *heart* your blog". Thanks Leana, I love your blog too!!!

I'm to tell Six random things about myself, so here goes:

I've had multiple knee surgeries to my right knee with the most recent resulting in a portion of my patella (kneecap) being removed...

I'm afraid to cycle out on our main roadways....hence a fear I have to overcome to be able to be a competitive triathlete...

I've recently become a vegetarian (again) although I do eat fish, eggs and dairy...

I know, I know, I've said it before, I'm actually shy...

I hate starting a sentence with " I "...

My motor skills are for being left handed but way back when I went to school you were not allowed to write with your left hand....so I am able to write with both hands which makes me ambidextrous, but with being a Gemini, it is quite a common trait!

So, there you go! Play along at will if you wish, I won't tag anyone because most of you have been tagged by someone already!

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend. Monday is our Thanksgiving Holiday!

Enjoy our bountiful country, bountiful table and give thanks to those who are serving our country so very far away on this Thanksgiving weekend! Thank YOU for keeping our country safe and free from harm...God Bless.

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily