What the heck is a timberdoodle?

Well if you don't already know it's not a monster that parents used to scare small children over but rather it's a strange smallish robin sized bird also called an American woodcock. It has very large eyes because it's nocturnal (active at night), a long curved bill that looks too big for it's head, and an upside down brain! It also has a number of colloquial names, the most common being timberdoodle. Other colorful nicknames include Labrador twister, bogsucker and mudsnipe.

And what the heck does it have to do with running? Well, the Moosehorn Wildlife Park also had the bird listed on it's website and is being managed and studied due to declines in population numbers. And since we spotted one recently in our backyard and I'll be running in the park on Sunday I thought a bit of trivia about a strange little bird called a timberdoodle might be appropriate. Here are a couple of pictures we took a few weeks ago .Can you see it? It's extremely well camoflauged. Our chances of encountering this bird, even early in the morning, is unlikely but you never know...

Obligatory running note: Just a short 7 mile loop around town today. Really felt tired and draggy, probably from the intervals on Friday and other life stresses (mostly work). Also did a few cursory strides which made the legs feel a bit better but only momentarily. Looking forward to next Weds when I can relax and start the mental preparations for Boston [twitch].