Please let me set the stage here. Because this run was truly exhilarating. I have not experienced anything like it--since it happened 2 months ago.
And, I promise you--this is not at all what you would expect from "An exhilarating run" story. I mean, it involves cows.
Two months ago, right after summer, I started training to run a 5K. Well, re-training is a better word, since I'd stopped and started a couple of times already. I started the C25K program this time by jogging on my treadmill. I had only been training indoors on our treadmill, before we headed to my husband's family farm for a short vacation. I knew I would start running outdoors that week--especially since their family farm is on COMPLETELY FLAT land. I was really looking forward to those FLAT roads--especially since we live in the Land of Dang Steep Hills.
Anyway, on my VERY FIRST outdoor run, I was a little nervous. I just didn't know how difficult it would be to run outside, as opposed to my lovely indoor treadmill.
I tied my shoes, slipped in my earbuds, and selected some great music on my phone--and off I went! Pound, pound, pound--I was jogging down the dusty gravel road with the wind blowing just a bit. It was beautiful.
Just a few yards down the road, I turned the corner right at a field with fenced-in cows. Just as I was rounding the corner, several cows looked up at me and started walking towards the fence. Pound, pound, pound--I was watching the cows as I jogged parallel to the long fence. I began to notice more and more and more cows look up--and right at me. (And I wasn't even yelling, "Hey cow!!!")
Then, one by one and two by two--the cows started running towards the fence, and towards me! Then, they started MOO-ing at me. MOO-ing loudly. Lots of them.
Before I knew it--ALL the cows--and I am not even kidding you--ALL the cows were running towards the fence, and running ALONGSIDE ME. The entire herd of probably 50 cows were running beside me--the entire length of the fence. While MOO-ing the entire time.
It. Was. Exhilarating.
I have never experienced an entire HERD of cows RUNNING WITH ME. It was as if they were CHEERING me along, MOO-ing, "You can do it!! Keep going--you're doing great!!" MOO! MOO! MOO!!!!
Well, if cows could talk, I'm sure that's what they would be telling me.
Instead, they were running beside me, putting a huge goofy grin on my face, and filling my throat with hiccupped laughs.
I felt like a movie star. And the cows were my paparazzi.
It was AMAZING!
The cows stopped at the end of their fence-line, but I could hear them MOO-ing in the distance. Occasionally, I turned my head back, and sure enough--they were standing at the corner of the fence, waiting for me.
I couldn't WAIT to turn around and make it back to my running cows, my partners in this most exhilarating run of my life. I hit my 10-minute mark, and turned around--excited for the run back.
About 1/4 mile before I got back there, I saw a dust plume trailing behind an old work truck...as it pulled into the cow's gate...when I realized...it was feeding time.
Oooohhhh.
The cows weren't my paparazzi. They were just excited about DINNER.
I was their food wagon. Only...I wasn't...which I'm sure was very disappointing to the enthusiastic cows.
Well, that was a little disappointing to know I wouldn't have cow running partners every day of vacation. However, I'll NEVER FORGET that very first run. It was the most amazing and exhilarating run of my (still new) running career.
That week of vacation, I did learn a little something about farm life and jogging: When visiting here, always run just before the feed truck arrives.
Cause I gotta tell ya: Having a cow paparazzi is FANTASTIC. Don't mock it until you've tried it.
Oh, and just to keep me humble...guess WHO WASN'T my paparazzi?
I hope you notice what SIDE they are mostly showing me...
You know what WORD is coming to my mind, don't you?
Starts with a "J", and rhymes with fat grass.
