Running with Butterflies

At the beginning of many races, the nauseous rush of butterflies fluttered through my stomach. It’s normal, right? But, running with an actual butterfly sounds like something from a children’s tale. Yet, it happened to me.

I can’t make this stuff up. Honestly, I’ve tried. I was out for a run in West Seattle’s Alki/Admiral area. With temps pushing the 80s, my face soon flushed and took on the appearance of a bruised beet. Then I met my challenge: the Admiral Ave hill! Who says it wasn’t a great day for a walk?

Catching a second wind, I started running again once I turned onto California Ave. (Did I mention this is downhill?)
As I plodded along, I glimpsed something yellow darting by. Looking up, I spotted a Monarch butterfly flying beside me! We checked one another out. Seriously. (I know how this sound–crazy!)

Instead of fluttering away, this butterfly darted in front of me. Then it flew back behind me and to my other side again. It chased me in a playful tag-your-it manner for several yards before loosing interest.

This interesting interaction with nature reminded me of living in the Marshall Island. There, I encountered something similar. Only, instead of butterflies I had ferry terns who would playfully fly next to me while I ran or rode my bike. My husband experienced the same playful behavior from these extraordinary birds.

I’m just glad I have butterflies and birds, but not cougars, for running mates!