1000 miles, running with airplanes and watch out for flying squirrels

On Tuesday I somehow managed to hit the 1000 mile mark for the year. Thats 1G in the bank. It’s hard to believe that I am there already. I feel tired just thinking about it. I celebrated by going for a run.

Tomorrow morning will be running the Toronto Airport 5k on the runway at Pearson. Time to dodge some airplanes. I ran this race last year and found it to be quite a unique experience. Fellow Longboater Roadrunners Adrian Horvath and Ron Linklater finished first and second overall last year but neither will be running it this time. I will definitely not be winning it this year (man just typing I and winning in the same sentence is making me chuckle) but hope to put up a decent time. Not sure how that will go as my taper consisted of thinking about not running. Does that count as resting your legs?

So I got many comments about my run in with the garter snake earlier this week. Yes snakes freak me out but honestly it happened so fast I really had little time to get funkafied (no that’s not really a word smarty pants). That said it’s not poisonous so the worst that I could have gotten is a small bite. Honestly there is more chance of getting a chunk taken out of me by the Chiwawa down the street. Worms and bugs are no bother I really just want an excuse to own a monkey unfortunately Kim is not cool with another grunting animal on the couch (besides me). No sale on the monkey bartender.

Although I live in Toronto I grew up in New Brunswick where the real woods were just a five minute walk down our street and across the highway. The animals I worry about on trail runs are the ones that can fit my head in their open mouths. Bears, mountain lions, lamas .. okay not lamas …. poisonous snakes and of course Moose. Yeah I know what all you city dwellers are thinking, MOOSE huh? A moose is the big badass of the Canadian wilderness. I know, I know you keep thinking about the wildlife moment commercials you have seen on TV talking about the majestic moose. Here is the truth. They are huge, they are mean, especially during mating season and they will stomp you to a pulp without batting an eye. On the bright side if you brought a gun they are also very very tasty.


Then there are the flying squirrels. I never used to fear the flying squirrel but that was before I came to Toronto. Once cute and friendly recently the squirrels here in Mayor David Miller’s socialist republic of Toronto have decided to Unionize and have become quite radical. It’s my understanding that they are demanding the same 18 paid sick days a year (bankable up to retirement) that all other outside city workers get. Man this could really get ugly. If they don’t get their way they are going to refuse to frolic. The horror of it all.

Remember if you see one or two flying squirrels together there is really no reason to worry so don’t panic. If you see a whole group of them be careful. Back away slowly and make lots of noise and don’t forget to hold onto your nuts.