On my weekly long run, which I do on Sundays, I like to run towards a farm where they serve coffee. It’s really nice there, and the service is very friendly. It’s about 8K to the farm, and then another 8K to get home. It’s one of my favourites running routes.
Yikes! Scary company
But for the last couple of weeks, on a part through a wooded area, I got some very unpleasant company! Apparently a buzzard has taken up residence in the trees, and he seems to have taken a shine to me. Or more probably, he wants to eat me! He’s been circling around my head, coming scarily close. At first I was mostly taken aback, but then he did it again, and again. I’ve never run so fast in my life. Just trying to get away from the trees and the buzzard.
Too close for comfort
The week after my first encounter I ran the same route. I figured it was just bad luck, and I probably imagined that buzzard coming for me. But sure enough, there he was again. Coming way too close for comfort. I started waving with my arms and shouting to scare him off. And to let him know I wasn’t going to come willingly!
I come to you, harmed!
For a few weeks I didn’t dare take that particular route. But today I really wanted to run my favorite route, so I told myself to buckle up. And just to be sure, I took a big stick with me. I was going to let that stupid buzzard know not to mess with me. So there I ran, with this big stick in my hand feeling all ridiculous. And no buzzard anywhere!
So I’m hoping he’s moved on.
Because I’ve thrown the stick away.
Have you ever been pestered by birds during a run?
