Ever seen a 20+ pound bird fly?

We have a flock of over 35 wild turkeys come through our yard at least twice a day and have come to actually like having them around.  They are usually walking or running through the trees, down our front walk way, across the driveway, to and from our neighbours, and back again.  I think their sole reason for living is to eat and reproduce.

The turkeys occasionally give us something new and recently, it was to roost in our trees.  At dusk, they look like large black blobs high up in the trees and we're amazed how they could perch so high on such small branches.  These are NOT small birds!  Sure enough, by morning, I caught a couple of them floating to the ground to begin their days' activities and it was a really cool sight.

Today's training was a nice easy long run - 90 mins and my goal distance of 15km.  A nice easy pace, however, it was a challenge because of the hills - in the Laurentian Mountains - and the falling snow.  It made for some nice scenery, but the strong wind and accumulation on the ground made form some difficult running.

By the time I got home, I was actually quite tired and hungry - obviously - I started the run at noon after skiing and hadn't eaten since breakfast.  I had a couple of bars in my vest in case of emergency.

As we sit here in February, I think about the fact it is mid winter, it's cold and snowy, typically strong winds, but that we really only have another 6 weeks to go until the April sun.  But the most important piece for me is proof that so many of us run and exercise despite the weather.  We're awesome!!  It motivates me to read about others' weather related triumphs and the perseverance they show to get out there no matter what.

I'm looking forward to this week of training and continuing to build the base.  The Ottawa Marathon is 15 weeks away and I'm kinda scared, actually.  Seems so close....