Day 4,144—Trains, Deer, and Butterflies are the Background—

 

      I listened to a podcast about the battle between cats and birds—and the people who defend each side. Wild cats kill many birds, causing concern among bird advocates about endangered species. This got me thinking about the relationship between wild animals and the outdoors experiences that runners like me have.

        I didn’t realize one of the biggest fights happened in Wisconsin, where people tried to pass a law so that it was legal to kill cats. The law didn’t pass, but it made me think of the times I saw wild cats during the Badger 100. It seems like it wasn’t so random after all.

        I didn’t see wild cats on this run, but I did spot a few deer along the way. I went up to this 1.8-ish loop trail that I haven’t done in a while. It barely qualifies as a trail, but it’s pretty, with train tracks right next to it. Sometimes trains stop there for hours, adding to the feeling of timelessness. When I first discovered it, I ran there a lot. I don’t love short loops, but sometimes I just want to get away from all the roads and buildings, blending into the environment that animals call home.

Congratulations to all the Shawnee Hill finishers today! I will have to get back there again. This is my first year in 4 years not doing it! But there are so many other races out there!