Jog New London County, CT

Wildlife: A Bonus For Trail Runners

Early morning trail runs are usually invigorating and often provide surprising encounters with the local wildlife. Last weekend I was out on the trail with a friend. The air was brisk but it was very pleasant. As we rounded a bend I noticed a large buck off in the distance. It was majestic with large antlers and a pronounced white tail. As we got closer it darted off into the woods. Score! It's always a bonus to see wildlife out on the trail.

Over the last several years I've seen a wide range of animals including deer, coyotes, foxes, hawks, snakes and all kinds of interesting birds. Last winter I was running after and early morning snow when a herd of deer (9-10 of them) crossed my path in full stride. I stopped to look around to see if anyone else saw them. Its more fun to share these experiences with other runners. These unexpected encounters are the "icing on the cake" of the trail running experience.

Occasionally, one of these encounters can get your heart rate going. One morning last December, I was out for a run when a full grown coyote crossed the path ahead of me and looped back behind me. I looked over my shoulder and noticed it had stopped to see where I was going. We locked eyes and then it ran off into the woods. I paid close attention as I came back that way to see if he was waiting for me ;-).

These simple wildlife encounters help rejuvenate the spirit and make running more interesting.

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