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January 28, 2006
Scraggly Elk
I guess it's going on that time of year, the climactic effects of the winter season, snow, wind, and cold temperatures, have been raging wildly for about 3 months. Any plants and shrubs still peeking out of the snow drifts have either browned completely or have been chewed to nubs by the grazing ungulates. Snow inches and inches deep cover everything else alive. What I'm trying to say if that if you're a grazing animal at Yellowstone, there's not much to eat right now. And the elk especially are starting to show the signs of lack of food. They are starting to look skinny, with their bellies caving in. Their fur is looking dull and scraggly. They are lethargic and slow-moving. And, signs of them digging through inches of snow looking for food are everywhere. I pity them because it's only the end of January, and there's at least 2 more months of equitable harshness, or so the Yellowstone experts claim, before the spring thaw begins. This begs the questions as to who among them will survive, and how awful will they look by April? Time will tell, but I'm glad I'm not one of them right about now.
The National Weather Service is predicting up to 2 feet of snow to blanket Yellowstone National Park between this morning and the next 2 days. That's a ton of snow, so I will believe it when I see it. But, at my house, I have about 3 inches. And I ran up to about 800 feet higher elevation than my house this afternoon and it was going on about 5 inches there. We'll see what pans out, but I'm hoping for some great snow for skiing on my next week off of work.
Of course, this winter storm is challenging my running schedule just a bit. Now, the icy patches that were previously visible and , thus, moderately avoidable, are now covered by snow, leaving me guessing as to where and when my next tumble will happen. Knock on wood, it wasn't today. Yaktrax would be inordinately handy in this weather, but I don't dare risk the debilatating foot pain that resulted last time I wore them. It was crazy windy today, too, snow blowing everywhere. I was covered with a fine layer of frosty snow when I got back inside, and the dog had a snow beard. We were certainly a cute couple. When I'm out there running and my face is completely numb, and the snow crystals are burning my skin, and the wind cuts deeply through my 4 upper body layers, and my dog keeps giving me backwards glances wondering when the run is going to end, and passing cars look at me strangely as to why I'm out in such a storm, I have to wonder a bit myself. Last year at this time, I was in Texas, probably running in shorts and a t-shirt, and I never dreamed that I would be outside in such foul weather. Despite all of these plausible mental and physical setbacks, I had a great time. Sure, I was slower than usual prancing carefully through the snow drifts and over ice. Sure, I had to take a hot shower as soon as I came indoors to warm up. But I had a great run. I guess this is the definition of adaptation, is it not?
62 minutes, call it 7.5 miles.
I'm a bit sore today (well, just my rear end) from sitting in my bike saddle for the first time in a long time last night, but I'm going to do it again tonight. I ended up doing 45 minutes last night, and I plan to do the same tonight. Also a slough of core exercises to top things off.
Then, I plan to watch the snow fall, from my cozy indoor venue.
Posted by Meghan at January 28, 2006 6:28 PM
Comments
i remember, not too long ago, how you were wondering how in the world you'd be able to handle the cold. now you're old hat at it. funny how perspective changes on things once you've had a chance to experience them, eh?
and your crash? that is so me. i'm fine when i'm out running wild, climbing long pitches or doing epic adventures...but around the house, watch out, i'll kill myself on the coffee table!
hope you recover and heal up soon!
Posted by: jeff at February 1, 2006 4:59 PM