Muskrat

Running:
As much as January was a good month this one has gotten off to a bad start.  On Monday I was down and out with the flu bug.  I had to take only my 2nd sick day in 21+ years at my current job.  Needless to say there was no running or workout of any kind.  I was over this quickly and felt much better on Tuesday, but chose to still take it easy and no running.  I was just thinking last week about having a cutback week.  I just didn't think I would have one forced on me.  I will use this opportunity to reduce mileage by 40% to 50% this week before resuming next week.  I'll get there just from taking at least 3 days off and maybe reducing my long run Saturday.  I did run my hill repeat workout yesterday during my lunch break.  I did the 8 repeats but even though the legs felt good I was a couple minutes slower in 1:08:03.   


Hunting:
Monday when I was home the dog was absolutlely going crazy barking and jumping at the door.  When I mustered enough strength to get up to see what was going on I saw she was barking at 5 deer out in the yard.  One was a nice buck with only half of his rack left.  Where were all these deer during the day when it was in season?  I watched them for quite a while and then let the dog out after they were gone.     


Gardening:

This morning I had a big surprise.  I check my pond every day to make sure it hasn't frozen solid, that the pump is running properly and there is enough water.  Well today it wasn't running well.  When I went down to check to my surprise there was a muskrat trying to make a home in the skimmer.  What a mess it made.  It tore up the rubber liner to the skimmer, probably to get in.  It ripped up some of the pond plants I suppose to eat them or the roots/tubers.  I finally got him out and the dog chased him down and killed it for me.  My biggest concern now is that the liner isn't damaged to the point I will have to completely replace.  Time will tell.  What the hell was it doing out in February in my little pond?