Random Adventure Tails

I have a history with trail running... and squirrels.

It all began while training in the Issaqueena Forest outside of Clemson while an undergrad. I had already been running for 30min and was in a state of flow; seemingly effortless, floating along the trail.

Anyone who trail runs, has likely seen a squirrel before. They tend to scurry off to the nearest tree for refuge, no biggie.

Back to the run, I came around a bend to a straight section in the trail...Oh, hey there mr. squirrel! But this time, the little tree-rat decided to scurry across the trail right in front of me. I took a bounding leap, in attempt to clear the little guy... He must have not expected that...

I landed right on the squirrel's head! Crunch. 

Fortunately, its end was quick. 

It all happened so fast, it seemed unreal. But there it was, a dead squirrel in the middle of the trail. I LITERALLY ran over a squirrel, this is insane. I picked it up by the tail and found a nice spot to bury it under a big old oak, then returned to my truck.

What a day.

I am reminded of this experience from my run today. While running a local trail here in NC, I had another squirrel encounter. This one wasn't deadly. I only landed on thiso ones tail as it scurried across the trail. 

Squeak! 

I suppose my chances of these run-ons are higher than normal trail runners since I all but live on them. 

So yea. I've run into many deer, bears, whistling marmots (these guys are awesome!), snakes, frogs, etc. But I have only run over one squirrel.

Anyone else had some interesting animal encounters?

-Brandon