Didn't get out on the Scuffle course till 9:30 Wednesday morning. It was hot and humid, but there was a bit of a breeze; you could tell it was better than Tuesday, but not by much.
I was running with Bethany and two of her friends, Tina and Sunshine, relatively new to running. Their enthusiasm was more powerful than the humidity! We set off with lots of energy. They were amazed by the deer flies, who were out in abnormally high numbers. Since neither of them had on hats, I think they were targeted even more.
There were whoops of joy when we got to the end of each mile. I was impressed with how they were doing on so little previous running. By about 4 miles, the pace started to slow. I think 4.4 was their longest previous run (at least they'd been running a Thorncrag so trails and hills were not new); combined with the heat and humidity, this run was way harder than anything they'd done before.
By the end of the run, the Garmin said I'd gone 7.96. Not bad since I'd estimated I'd get in 8! Makes you wonder how many miles the dogs who run are getting in with all their out and back and scent following.
Are deer flies and horse flies named after the animals they most commonly feast on? Maybe they should change the name to homo sapien flies or crazy-people-running-through-the-woods flies.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course you ran an extra 211.2 ft to finish your run at 8.0?
Yeah, I think deer and horse flies are one in the same...growing up on a farm, we called them horse flies. I found a trick last night while running Bradbury.....I would stop under a low slung branch, one that touched my head, and the flies would get all messed up and leave. Then I would take off as fast as I could and be fly free for a couple minutes.....it actually was a good way to run intervals.
ReplyDeleteKevin, I only know there is a difference cause I'm allergic to one and not the other. The horse flies are not to be the ones in the swarms that we're encountering on the trail. Those are deer flies and have a triangular shape. The horse flies are bigger with a more massive body. For a picture of each check out: www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/deerhorseflies.html
ReplyDeleteThey are in the same family.
Oops, posted before I meant to...John, I like your names for them...none of mine can be repeated politely.
ReplyDelete