Saturday Mornings are Made of This

So what do you do on your Saturday mornings? Sleep in? Get up and get projects/chores done before anyone else is up?

Me, I run. I sleep in an extra hour or so than my weekday schedule and get up and get out before traffic picks up and the world awakens and becomes a scary and dangerous place.

Friday evening, this will make the scary and dangerous place make sense now, I went for a run. I had gone to lunch with a friend so didn't get to go running at my lunch break like I have been. I only did 2 miles and was just about to the 1 mile mark, at about .75 miles when I was getting ready to cross an entrance to the nearby strip mall. It's dark out, about 7:30/8 pm. I am wearing night appropriate clothing and making sure to be careful due to the lack of natural lighting. I see a lady turning so I slowed my pace to let her get through and then saw a UHAUL mid size truck coming up to the stop sign. This is where I 1. made an assumption that he would stop at said stop sign and 2. that I was seen by the man driving. Well I get crossing and he keeps rolling. Of course at this point I'm yelling and waving my arms wildly as I skitter sideways and back so not to get rolled over.

I hear the man shout something at me, which my direct response is to scream "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!!"

To be certain, you must never assume that a driver sees you or will stop. Another reason to love early morning runs. No one is awake yet ;)

So that was the adventure Friday. Also, on Friday - I am used to having small bugs (aka gnats, grasshoppers, crickets and spiderwebs) come in contact with me at some point on a run. HOWEVER, I am terrified of a lot of bugs. In general I hate bugs. Lady bugs, moths and butterflies I can handle but most are creepy crawly and I can't stand them. I've been known to skitter off in a frantic run (much like the below without the glee) due to a cicada or other large insect trying to invade my runners bubble.

Well this time I was not running, I was driving. Friday was gorgeous out. I had my hat on, I had my windows down, I was rocking to my country tunes and as I merged onto the highway BAM! I saw something out of the corner of my eye and felt something hit me that had come off the road. Well I glance down at my left shoulder and see this cicada just bug eyed looking at me. I freaked out. Completely and utterly freaked out.

A LOT like this, but sitting and in my car unable to get out due to traffic/rush hour and the fact that I was belted in. To say the least I am sure it was hilarious to see for anyone that happened to look over during the event. I flicked the ugly thing off me and proceeded to go into 12 year old girly melt down. I regained composure and kept driving and thankfully it didn't cause a wreck or me to veer off the road into the ditch but none the less. EWWWWWW!!!!!

So Saturdays, I get up and run. This is the day I can enjoy a long leisurely run. No time restrictions, no expectations. Mike is just getting home from work and will be asleep until 1pm at the earliest. This is my time, quiet time, me time.

On this particular morning, it was a bit chilly. 49 degrees to start (to me that is glorious running weather). So I put on a hoodie with my shorts and proceeded to hit the pavement. I have recently found a route that takes me around a small lake that is filled with wildlife and peacefulness at early hours.

 If you look closely there are some black specs by the double tree line. Those are mallards. This is a beautiful running route and just challenging enough.

Of course I turn the corner, expecting the big fluffy dog that usually greets me and I find this.

GEESE!!! Being that Mike is a hunter and I am slowly getting into hunting all I think is "TASTY!!!!" They are delicious birds. Glazed in chili sauce...yum!!! (anyone that wants the recipe can go here).

So I ended up pausing for a good 10 minutes or so just watching the geese. I enjoyed the down time to just enjoy nature. The blue sky and clouds and the fact that the geese hadn't flown off. I did come home and show Mike the amazing group of geese I had found, unfortunately it's in city limits so hunting is a big no no here.

After finishing my morning run I came home to have some breakfast and actually utilize the back deck for once.

It was a bit chilly to be sitting out after running and sweating but it was peaceful and I was having fun watching squirrels chase each other.

Today I found out my official time and my placement in the Run for Freedom 10k from 9/28/2013.

I placed first in my age group and 11th overall. I am beyond excited. I have contacted the race director to see if a prize was given out to those that placed in their age group. I have yet to hear back.

So there it is folks, the running update.

So what do you do with your Saturday mornings?