The Deer Flies are Hungry

[Sandy]

     This is not the ramblings of a Facebook page...?I made toast then walked into the living room.?  This is a dire warning.  I ran through the woods today and the deer flies are HUNGRY!! 
     I headed out on an easy run to test a pair of Montrail Rogue Racers an ?ultra-lightweight trail racing flat designed for trail racers who crave minimalism and low profile performance.?  Warming up on the road I made a left turn into Hannah Park hoping for a little solitude, cool shade and the chance to enjoy nature.  Through the expanse of lush ground cover into the funnel of overgrowing tree branches I heard them before I felt the first tickle around my ears.  Next came the swarming as it became very obvious that the pack hadn?t seen human flesh in a while. My pace picked up in an effort to leave them in my dust to no avail.  Faster and faster I ran moving awkwardly through my training zones until I could feel the burn of lactate in my legs as oxygen became scarce in my blood. 
     Originally dodging low lying tree branches I now ran through them trying to scrape flies from my hat.  Being attacked from all sides I was now running from brush cover to brush cover taking a brief pause to re-oxygenate while running like I stole something in between.  Taking an abrupt right I raced the final stretch towards a parking lot hoping the gate was open and the flies would stay behind.  Not!  In a final cruel push the stragglers raced me the last 750m snapping the entire way allowing me no reprieve as I escaped into my house.  Gasping for breath I realized that I hadn?t thought about my shoes, which is what you want from a pair of shoes, for them to get out of your way and just allow you to run.       

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     At the National Capital Sprint Duathlon Russ Doxtator raced the course in 1:16:53 crossing the line 14th out of 81, first in the 50-54 age group.  In the Kayak event (4/20/5) David Conroy finished second overall in 1:40:20 while Kristina Shaw finished in 2:11:38.  Adam Doxtator raced his first OAT Provincial Draft Legal Championship finishing in 1:07:20 in the U23 Men division.  Jean-Philippe Pellerin crossed the finish line seventh out of 307 in 1:07:41 at the Triathlon Trimemphre Sprint (750/20/5). 
     On Sunday July 31 the Ktown Long course (2/56.2/15) was completed by Jeremy Barrett (4:24:36) and Bryan Dunham (4:20:17), Sharon Voteary raced the duathlon (4/30/7.2) in 2:04:17 and participating in the Sprint tri (750/30/7.20) were Cuthbert Cheung (1:57:53), Andrew Speedy (1:47:12), Andrew Thew (1:50:36), Diane Harper (2:07:04), Stacey Berdan (1:54:14) and Michelle Pothier (1:57:46).  On Monday Justin Jeffs competed in his first Kids of Steel race crossing the line in 21:21 in the 8-9 age category while in the 10-11 age category Michelle Cormier finished in 28:21 and was joined by Hannah Farrell (22:24), Evangeline Dryburgh (26:55), Wyatt Gilbert (25:26) and Lucas Wiens (23:38).

[Newt]

The Deer flies have been particularily voracious around home out Warkworth way as well. They can bite through clothing as thick as cycling gloves so there is really no protection. As far as out running them as you mentioned Sandy it's futile as they are the most incredible flyers I think nature created. Imagine the ability to fly in circles around my head, while I'm bicycling 20km/h down the trail in one direction while there is a gusty crosswind coming from another, all the time taking pot shots at my old salty flesh.
Oh ya and when you happen to be quick enough to kill one 3 more come to it's funeral.
Absolutely amazing.

Peace
Peter

[David]

One of the most annoying bugs on the planet. Land already! Take what you want and leave! Why must you constantly fly around my head causing me to swat at you with little to no chance of ever hitting you? Is this some sick joke nature created to amuse itself? I for one am against the bug and it's method of attack. No wonder deer run onto the road to get hit by cars. They are just trying to outrun the flies as well. So maybe in the end the deer is actually thanking you for ending the constant attacks of Deer flies!


David

[Craig]

They are fast! Lost a hunk out of my backside to one the other day. Like Peter said,, right through the cycling shorts.
Can you imagine being one of the 1st pioneers? Nothing but woods, no escape.

[klowe]

I wish I could lose a hunk of my backside, where were you riding?????

[Jeff]

Craig you have none to spare!!