December 11, 2016 ALL BY MYSELF

It's hard to psych yourself up to run ALONE in the COLD--it was 22 degrees when I went out this morning.  I know my comrade has a life outside of running--something about an anniversary blah blah blah---BUT GOING AWAY ON THE FIRST EXTREMELY COLD WEEKEND, PLEASE!! Don't worry--I forged ahead--have to keep  our reputation in check-- and it really wasn't that bad even though it gets hard to breath when it's really cold. We have had such great weather for so long that it is a shocking change to the system but  hey--it's already the middle of December and this is the first time I had to wear my winter running garb. Can't complain--just need my comrade to come back because there is no way I can run through the winter without her--it's a lonely world out there.

It's also a lonely world for Hig, the main character and narrator of Peter Heller's book The Dog Stars.
Set in the distant future, Hig is a pilot from Denver, Colorado, who somehow survives a virus that has wiped out 99% of the population. His wife and everyone he cares about is dead except his dog, Jasper.  He lives in an abandoned airfield with one other person, a gun toting maniac named Bangley. It's the Apocalypse--survival of the fittest. The trio spend most of their time searching for supplies, food and  protecting the perimeter of the airfield from undesirables. One day Hig hears a transmission pleading for help on his Cessna radio--outside the point of no return. It's a woman's voice. Hig starts to feel hopeful for a future. Maybe a different future, but a future at that--if he has the courage to follow the voice. Find out what happens to Hig, Jasper and Bangley in this frighteningly realistic look at a future that could happen.  It's a thought provoking book too--would you want to be a survivor? What happens to people that survive this type of tragedy? Not sure what I'd want to do. Anyway, it's a pretty easy read at about 320 pages or a 5 mile run--that will stick with you long after you finish the last page.