It must be the prevalence of stray dogs in Argentina, always with a smile on their faces and so so friendly. (And yes, to stave off comments: I won’t engage. And yes, I actually did go through the whole series of rabies shots in preparation for this adventure. That’s another story!).  Or the fact that Rob, Ella and I want to get a dog (cue the French bulldog puppy bursting out of the bowed box) but dogs and wolves are interweaving themselves into many layers of my dream psyche since arriving in Bariloche.  It must have started with the bad Keanu Reeves movie playing in the background, all in Spanish overdub, accompanying me my first night here. Bad movie aside, the appearance of a very cute French bulldog pup was scooped up by my mind’s eye and a theme further supported for that night’s sleep entertainment. That brought on the first appearance of wolves in my dreams that night. Wolves?  Not me. That’s not a norm in my life, neither surrounding me as the gal who wears jewelry or shirts with pictures of wolves on them.  (We all know one of two, albeit maybe from high school)

In my sleep: wolves’ eyes shining. Staring. Not giving away their allegiance as friend or foe. Staring me down with chests puffed full showing off their strength and power. The man next to me, unidentified, tells me to stand strong and to not move (hell, isn’t that for bears? I think to myself. Shit, I didn’t research what to do when faced with wolves!!!). It’s a standoff as we eye each other…..perhaps they are thinking the same of me? And then whoooosh….I awake. 

Last night brought forward new visions of baby wolf pups and a very tired mother licking them clean. Perhaps reminiscent of some female competitors I’ve met sharing with me the joy of large families (and the wonderful rush they get from experiences like Patagonia, which like for me, is something 100% different from the “usual”).  Must have lodged in the brain somehow. 

Rob tells me to think of the wolves appearing as notice that they are my spirit animal. I like that. (Although maybe it’s dogs?  Not quite as literary and blog worthy but ain’t this the place for truth?). I’m the one who as I pass a dog I have a conversation with them eye to eye (some of you know exactly what I mean). And I swear you do get back a lot, anywhere from “what? Do I know you?” To “hey, let’s go play!” To several of the city version who are aloof and don’t “talk” to strangers.  Ha!  But I digress…this is supposed to be about Patagonia and the run!  But, it’s already turning in to so much more and we have yet to run a mile. I think that this ongoing topic bodes well for the impending future. And I will indeed keep a sharp eye out for wolves. With so much wildlife everywhere I’m sure that there will be much to see and enjoy. 

Off to competitor check in shortly. I’ve purged mountains of items which actually feels good rather than worrisome (let’s see if that theme stays strong throughout the week!). Great advice abounds and I’ve ditched much extra food and luxury items like extra toilet paper, wipes, yoga balls and so on with confidence that the experience shared with me is quite strong, convincing and accurate. My Danish roommate Catherine has been fantastic. Her past stories of the Jordan ultrarun are fascinating and her volunteering to pack my rucksack one round taught me a lot.  

Karma is good round here. And hoping, or rather trusting, that the wolves will watch out for me. Next update should be from camp!  We start at 8am tomorrow/Sunday.