Cold and Sore Feet

The Swat Valley continues to narrow, and jagged mountains with bright glaciers and sparkling mountain lakes close in around me. The river is less wide but just as powerful here. There is no doubt that destruction from the flooding has affected every inch surrounding these influential waters. Below is a picture of the low banks of the fast river.

This photo was taken a few miles west of where I am running, in the higher mountains.

In Helena, it was another chilly day, but not as windy as yesterday. By the time I left for my run, the wind had all but disappeared, leaving the air still and silent. I could hear every rattle of a leaf or patch of grass. But the seemingly warmer weather left me dressing in far less than I had yesterday; today I wore only sweatpants and a pullover. It took me a little bit to warm up, as I suspected, but the real problem came with my feet. As I mentioned before, there is little insulation in my barefoot shoes. I must have run a mile and a half before the cold numbness disappeared. Up until then, my feet were not only freezing cold, but also aware of every sharp pebble or stone that I stepped on. Usually, my calluses are tough enough that most terrain does not hurt my feet, but for some reason today, every time I touched ground a pang shot through my numb foot.

Today's run was also filled with wildlife, and deer especially. As many know, Helena has a large population of mule deer, who can be problematic sometimes. As I began my run today, still in town, I passed two bucks. I have to be careful this time of year, for it is the rut season and bucks can get mean when there are does around. Luckily, there were no does, and the fact that the bucks were together was an assurance that they were not rivaling for mates, but enjoying each other's company as bachelors. There was not even a turn of an ear or antlered head in my direction from the two. Later, when I came into town again, I saw a large group of does and their adolescent fawns--eight deer in total. I rarely see this many, and I suppose they were fattening up on the still-green grass of the lawns.

Thanks for reading!

Until tomorrow,
Sarah Capdeville


Summary
Today's distance: 2.89 miles
Total distance: 128.12 miles
Distance to go: 29.88 miles

Weather in Helena: 45 degrees F, overcast/partly cloudy, breezy
Weather in Mingora: 86 degrees F, partly sunny