I can see it now - dark, smoky room. A single dim light suspended over a table. Webbed feet pacing the floor. "You seen this guy?" the goose asks. "Yeah, we know him." the red-winged black bird replies.
This all started with the red winged blackbirds. While cycling solo on a training route I was shocked out of my rhythm by something hitting the top of my helmet. I looked around - nothing. A couple hundred yards down the road and another hit. I looked at the road and saw the shadow - it was a bird! For a two mile stretch on that route there were red winged blackbirds perched along every few telephone poles. Apparently that is where they survey their territory from. Apparently I was not welcome in their territory. Maybe it's because I was decked out in black and red. In any case they did their best to make feel unwelcome. It happened to me again while I was riding the IM course in Madison last year. Apparently word was spreading.
"Can you take care of him for us?" the goose asks. "We tried, but he's a persistent one." replied the red winged blackbird leaning in. "We're going to have to bring in a specialist for this one.".
The negotiations were made. The contract was written up and signed. The specialist was contacted. Detailed information on my routes and timing were given. Plans were made.
As it turned out there was not one but two of them. How long they waited I do not know. I'll have to go back and check for cigarette butts sometime. I was running along a fence and the fence ended. I saw them coming from the corner of my eye. I had no time to react. They came in low and fast. There was a double thump as first one then the other hit me. One got me on the shoulder and the other hit my hip. They both bounced off dazed and confused. One hit the ground, recovered, and then flew away. His accomplice never hit the ground but kept going. I didn't get a good look at either of them though I think one may have had a white headband with a red circle on it.
Guess they found out the meaning of Ironman today. I'm going to have to find an informant somewhere. I don't think this is over.
Workout Summary
Today was the last big push before I taper for Triple-T. The Thursday spinning instructor had much better music so I was pumped and it was a good interval class. The run went well (despite the kamikaze attack). Got up to and sustained 6:30 mpm pace on the accelerations before dropping to my usual 8:30 pace. No grabs from the glute this time around - warming carefully and then stretching afterwards seems to have helped. Will have to be extra cautious this weekend and next week.
1 comment:
All I'm envisioning is Alfred Hitchcock's movie Birds. GUH!
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