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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

04/26/11: Everybody, Say Hi to Sam!!!

April marks Sam's 18th month of life.....and it also marks the time I can finally start taking her with me on my shorter runs.

So that's exactly what I did this morning.

I haven't run for two weeks. Sad, but true. So what better way to get myself back into the spirit of things, then to take a beast that can run 12 times as fast as me....with two of her legs tied behind her back???

(No animals were harmed.......)

Between her in her bright orange pheasant hunting vest, and me in my bright orange Saucony running coat....we made quite the pair.

Running with a 75 pound dog, who has never officially "run" on a leash, is an experience.

The first 1/4 mile was showing her that, no, I can't run as fast as you want me to go. And yes, you do you have to stay by my side. And no, that bunny doesn't want to play. And lastly, when I trip over you yelling "right turn, right *&^%ing turn"...that means turns right for crying out loud.

Because I've read you're supposed to break a dog into running the same way you would with a person, we only went a short mile and a half journey, but I think it was enough for the first day. By the time we got back, she was getting used to running at my pace and we were both soaking wet.

Yep, it was raining on top of it all.

I hope to get her to the point where I can get a leash that goes around my waist. I'd like to have my right arm back. I felt a little off-kilter running without both of my arms swinging normally.

I've always wanted a dog who would wake me up in the morning by bringing me her leash.

I'll roll over, smile, and pet her on the head. As I'm stretching, the yellow glow of sunlight will shine down on my blonde hair. I'll savor the aroma of fresh brewing coffee, and birds chirping outside the window.

I blame this on too many Folgers Coffee commercials as a child.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

(1.52 miles, 10:56 overall average pace)

10 comments:

C2Iowa said...

Very nice. Smiles abound.

The Running Mama said...

i would love to run with my dogs... they are nut balls!

Nej said...

Luckily, we've done quite a bit of training to get her ready for hunting.....so she does ok...but still a nut ball! :-)

I could tell by the end that she's going to do really well...eventually. :-)

Faith Ann said...

Ha... I have a "Sam" too, but she won't be running with me anytime soon (she's a cat who's scared of her own shadow lol).

Glad you're able to run with your Sam now!!

Good luck with your half... can't wait to read your race report!! I bet you'll have a great event because you don't seem to be stressed/focused on your time... that's the worst.

Nej said...

@ Faith Ann - nope...if I was stressed on time, I'd be a basket case....because the time this weekend isn't going to be good. :-)

Fran said...

So cool that you ran with Sam. Did you do the early AM run with Sam?

I have tried to run with Bella twice, she could definitely keep up with me but was all over the place.

I might start running with her after my next half in October and do a dog run in December with her but not yet sure about that.

Nej said...

@ Fran - yep, I took her out early. Won't be able to do many of my runs with her, as they get longer, but I'm going to try to take her on as many short ones as I can. She really enjoyed it....and, it gets rid of some of that puppy energy she still has. :-)

Anonymous said...

Yay for a running buddy! I don't run with my dog, I kind of wish I did, but I didn't like losing my arm either. I tried to loop her leash through the strap of my running belt and that didn't work. She is 7 and I decided that starting her running at her age isn't nice. She'll stick to being my walking buddy instead.

Nej said...

@ Lori - walking buddies are good too!!!!!! :-)

Mot said...

I know better, you would pat her on the head hoping that there is a snooze button there. LOVE YA
Mot