i-spy running
One of my favorite things about running is that it gives me a chance to clear my head. It is my time to destress, work out problems, think about life + the future, go over interview questions in my head, etc. I come back from my run feeling refreshed, energized, and ready to conquer the world day.
However, on the weekends, I run in the morning to get it out of the way so I have the rest of the day to enjoy (a.k.a., clean the house). So, I usually don’t have a lot to think about besides planning out my day, which is usually planned out the night before. So, instead, on these beautiful weekend runs, I enjoy the scenery surrounding me.
I run pretty much the same out-and-back route around my house. I probably could do my normal 4 mile run with my eyes closed I know it that well and run it that often. I run past several neighborhoods, some old + some brand new, a few open farm-ish areas (no cows or anything, just open land), a gas station, a snow cone stand (which smells disgustingly sweet in the hot summer months), and of course I pass several cars (I’ve almost been hit by one that got a flat tire, veered up onto the curb, and took out a mailbox right in front of me).
But, my favorite thing to see are these:
Yes, wild turkeys. (I don’t bring a phone or camera with me on my run, so these aren’t the ones I see, just similar.) I know I said there is farmland, but I promise you, I don’t live in the middle of nowhere. I actually run on a pretty busy side road with a good amount of traffic. So, to see these wild turkeys on my run always makes me smile. I joke about how it would be ironic if they attacked me one day. Can you just picture the headlines? “Vegetarian Runner Gets Attacked By Wild Turkeys”
They aren’t always around and I find it interesting that they are NEVER to be found around Thanksgiving or turkey hunting season. But, they are usually the highlight of my run.
What do you see on your runs? Anything most people wouldn’t see?
I’ve also almost been run over by 2 deer while running in Branson. They came darting out of the woods right in front of me and had I been 2 seconds faster, they would’ve mowed me down. I’ve seen the damage they do to cars, so I thank God every day for making me a little slower than what I would like to be!