So.. I stayed up to watch the news last night because they had this story they were going to do about getting puppies from overseas. It was VERY sad. That’s all I have to say about that…
Then during the news they did this story about the local rattlesnake population and about how a guy was bit in Corona Del Mar. Yikes. "the rattlesnake population may be healthier than ever this year". What?? They even proceeded to show video of rattlesnakes. Thanks alot for that one Channel 4 News. They also said that that the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (the common one here) often doesn’t rattle as a warning.
So let me get this straight. We have more rattlesnakes than usual this year. Lots of overgrown vegetation for them to hide in while I run by on singletrack trails – and they won’t warm me if I get too close. Uh… yeah. Why do I like trail running again?
I guess it’s time to be extra vigilant. Last year I think they said the same thing "more rattlesnakes than usual this year because of heavy rain". Last year was a record rainfall year for Southern California. I didn’t start running trails heavily until June last year. I guess spring and fall are the most active times. I saw my first live rattlesnake in July or August and it wasn’t even on a trail but on a sidewalk. I’ve only seen one other since then (thankfully) and it was dead – but none the less still freaked me out!
Oh and I started a "personal blog" so I could keep this one about running. But maybe instead I should only post here and make it a combined running/personal blog that focuses on my running? I had intended to keep it a running only blog, but who knows. Thoughts or suggestions?
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well, I’m sure you already know my thoughts
running is so inter-related with my personal stuff that it has to be combined for me!
Snakes = yikes! I actually stepped on one while running last year (me: “wow, that was an awfully squishy snake.” johnny: screams and jumps), but mostly I just run by them and they look at me. I’ve had tons of rattlesnake encounters, but haven’t been bit yet (knock on wood!)
If Angie doesn’t get bit, then you probably won’t
She forgot to mention that on that same run she had already ran past two other rattlers sitting inches from her feet on the side of the trail. She didn’t even know until I pointed them out as I past behind her. We have tons of rattlesnakes here and they rarely cause trouble. The toughest encounter I had was with two six-foot diamondbacks mating in the middle of a trail. The terrain on both sides of them was very steep and brushy, so I was concerned about going around them. But, when I tried to convince them to give it a rest and move out of the way, they didn’t budge and convinced me that I was the one going into the bushes.