i had this crazy idea that i'd get up at 10am for an early morning run. when i checked the clock radio this morning, it was already 1pm. i got up, had some oatmeal, and then got dressed for running in 30 degrees weather. i ran in the opposite direction than what i normally run, partly because i'd pass a mailbox so i can mail off some stuff, but also because i figured it'd be an easier run since it'd be mostly downhill. the starter gun in my head went off and i went running. there was a slight chill when i first stepped outside, but that quickly disappeared when i got going. about a mile and a half into the run however, i slowed down to a walk. my head was pounding and i felt like throwing up. ah, i know that feeling! it's what happens when you push yourself too hard, when your body's not ready for that level of physical exertion. i think the fact that i ate right before running and the sudden jump into the cold weather didn't agree with me too well. after a few minutes though it went away, and i did sort of this intermittent running/walking all the way back home, breathing heavily, a film of frozen snot on my upperlip, it wasn't pretty. if you think running is all about getting into these cute little outfits and staying fit, you'd be wrong. there's also an ugly side to running, and today i was showcasing it.

when i got home i finally refilled the tube feeder with 9 lbs of birdseeds (you heard me right, that tube feeder can take 9 lbs worth of bird feed). birdfeeding is a messy business, something they don't tell you when you buy a birdfeeder. since birds only eat the seeds, the area around the feeder is completely littered with shells. birds aren't picky as to where they defecate either, and all around the tray and the squirrel guard are evidence proving this to be quite true. squirrels also get into the game, by scavenging seeds the messy birds kick to the ground. times when the squirrels don't have enough to eat, they take it out on the lawn and dig holes everywhere, probably to find buried nuts, but i personally think its to exact some sort of destructive revenge over the fact that i'm excluded them from the feeders. there is also a ruthless pecking order amongst the birds which becomes quite evident when there isn't a lot of seeds left to eat, as the bigger birds will drive away all the smaller birds (although when there's plenty to eat, there is feathered peace).

after that good deed of the day, i went back in the house to take a shower. having been outside in the cold for so long, i couldn't tell whether the water was hot or cold. to be safe, i cranked up the cold because i didn't want to be unknowingly scalded.