Tracking Run

If you're fortunate enough to have trails to run on, don't miss out on the exciting story unfolding at your feet.  More concerned about getting in a workout than appreciating the wonders of nature, it's easy to stride down the trail focusing on the finish line, ignoring seemingly insignificant details.  Next time you hit the trail, don't just notice the rocks you might trip over or the ruts you need to avoid, see what kind of creatures have shared your path and may be watching, safely camouflaged in the brush.

A resident of San Jose--the nation's 10th largest city with a population of close to one million--I'm amazed at the variety of tracks I see in such a heavily populated area.  That we continue to coexist with so many species despite widespread urban sprawl is encouraging.  The type of track each animal leaves is intriguing in itself.  I've seen tracks from bobcats, mountain lions, deer, coyotes, wild bore, turkeys, ducks, snakes--all amidst dozens of different shoe treads and paw prints from dogs loving that they got to accompany their master.  You may get lucky and see whatever it was that left the track, or you might not.  At least you'll know to be on the lookout.  Fortunately, I never saw the mountain lion, but I did manage to side step a tarantula because I was paying attention.

Enhance your running experience and check out the dirt.  You probably won't find as much as the steely-eyed cowboy, Terry Grant, on "Mantracker"--with 25 years of experience in search and rescue, it's amazing the tracks he finds--but I'm sure you'll see something interesting.

LACE UP and don't forget to look down!