Running in Texas

Once, Tiffany and I saw a coyote.  Up close.  Too close.

Seriously, it was on Mill Plain, between 24 Hour Fitness and Walmart.  In the dark.

I have never minded running in the dark.  It's always cooler, the air is fresher, especially at 20 degrees, and it was companionable with Tiffany.  Dark is a necessity in Texas in the summer.  When the sun comes out, it BEATS down on you.  I know I've said this before, but the Texas sun is brutal.  And when I see people running outside in the middle of the day, I think, "Poor you.  Don't you know you can get up in the dark and you'll be so much happier?"

There are some differences here, though.  For example, I run across all kinds of critters.  Every shadow, stick, leaf or other black thing, makes me nervous.  Could be a SNAKE, for heaven's sake! 

Here's what I've seen while running in the dark:

crickets--no big deal, but they move fast.

fire ants--they are the clean-up crew of nature on the sidewalk.  They EAT smashed crickets and worms.

worms--after it rains they all dry up on the sidewalk.

toads--big ones, like as big as my fist.  Running across one of those guys in the dark makes my heart rate jump.  They are a big three-dimensional shadow on the road.  YUCK.

And one night, while out walking with John, we did see our first snake.  It was VERY small, but gross just the same. 

Hopefully, everything will hibernate in the winter and I can run in the dark ALONE.

P.S.  I wrote this with my shoes on.