Some days the running mojo goes missing...like yesterday.  I headed out the the Boulder Reservoir for a nice 5 mile loop in honor of my 5 year cancer anniversary....problem was I seemed to forget that I overheat easily in the baking sun, even if the temps don't exceed 60 F, and I was tired (waaah, poor me!).  I opted to cut myself some slack and enjoy my WOG (a blend of Walking and jOGging for those of you not familiar with this acronym.). 

As I said the sun was out, the sky beautifully clear, the water a deep blue, and the natural habitat at the reservoir was fresh and alive, even green, with the foothills, flatirons and snowy high mountain peaks in the distance.  Before I got more than a few hundred yards out I stopped to admire a red tailed hawk drafting in circles looking for lunch.  I pondered what it must feel like to float in the air like the predator was doing with abandon. 

I also took advantage of my decision to WOG to read all the nature signs posted along sections of the trail.  I read all about the prairie dogs and their importance in the food chain, and how they provide ready made burrows for snakes, ground owls and other critters.  I learned that raptors come from all over in the winter to gorge themselves on the prairie dogs.  (I don't recall if the word gorge was specifically used, but it was something very similar, maybe feast?).  If the potentially plague infested rodents were removed the raptors, coyotes and foxes wouldn't have very much to eat and that would mess up the entire balance of nature.  I get it....it makes sense....we all fit in somewhere, even if we may deemed less than perfect or an annoyance. 

Each of us is here for a reason.  I'll remember that on my next mountain bike ride when a prairie dogs dashes in front of me and I have to exercize defensive biking skills !!  Little suicidal buggers !!