I got chased by a wolf on my run yesterday. Like I literally saw my life flash in front of me as I screamed like a 4-year old that doesn't want to put their shoes on. And apparently, eating nachos doused in velveeta cheese while watching Saved by the Bell as close to the tv screen as possible after high school XC practice is what I recall most fondly.
But in any event, about a quarter mile after being chased by this ferocious beast on the quiet country roads of Maine, its owner appeared out of nowhere. Yeah, it was a dog. Named Maverick. Not even that big. Just had pointy ears. It just wanted to lick me. So I then sat on the curb with ol' Mav for a couple of minutes and caught my breath while he happily slobbered on my face. And then I thought to myself, huh, Mav didn't even catch me. Well that's cool. Maybe I didn't lose as much speed as I thought. And then I said bye (to Mav. Not the owner. She was still laughing at me.) and started running again.
Anywho, this is a big part of what I love about running...just these unknown experiences that could happen as you head out the door, the wild thoughts & memories & epiphanies, and the ability to think more clearly and logically while solving all the world's problems. All these things that don't seem to happen without running. And oh how I've missed it!
We're in Maine with family right now, and this trip couldn't have come at a better time in regards to my running. I'm on week two of running again after six weeks off for what was thought to be a stress reaction in the cuneiform bone on the top of my foot. Wrong-o. After two MRIs and a CT scan, it turns out I have osteoarthritis and a cyst around both my first metatarsal and cuneiform bone. The six weeks off was unnecessary, as you don't ever get rid of OA; it's all just about pain management. And so even though I am very super largely mucho AGAINST cortisone injections, as they simply mask pain while potentially making the actual problem worse, since this ain't a problem that can be fixed, welp, here I am. I guess that kinda makes me a traitor. But oh well, this mama needs to run. Racing fast is awesome and all, but what's more important to me is being able to enjoy the simplicity and beauty of running while thinking about random shit and getting chased by wolves.
Happy running, y'all!
