Running with the dogs

The other day, I came across this article about a young girl who is legally blind, but loves to run and does so with the assistance of a dog (check out the article here). Not only is this a very uplifting story but it got me thinking about my own adventures in running with dogs. I've been running for over 7 years now, and 5 of those years have been accompanied by first Apollo (my 6 year old yellow lab mix) and then Kona (my almost 2 year old GSD). I am by no means an expert on this and if you have any concerns regarding running with a dog (or dogs), I would definitely consult your furry friend's veterinarian. But I do want to give a few tips I have learned over the years through trial and error (...well, a lot of error but somehow we've all come out unscathed!):

1. Do NOT expect to run for time. Your dog will not understand that you are trying to run 5 miles at a pace of 9 minutes per mile. Your dog is a dog. Your dog will inevitably have to pee, poop, take a break or just want to stop and sniff something.

2. Pay attention to your dog. Especially when running in heat and/or humidity. You might want to power through those last few miles but your dog might need a break. A pretty good indication is if you stop to wait for a crosswalk signal and your dog almost immediately lays down. Let him rest and then refer back to tip #1.

3. Run safe. Run against traffic where possible (the exception would be in places where there is a good distance between where you are running and the road) and do not run in the bike lane or road in a busy area. Make sure you are running in a well lit area as well or bring a light with you. The last thing you want is for someone to surprise you and your dogs. Now for me, one of the perks of running with my dogs (besides getting all of our exercise knocked out at once) is that I know my dogs will keep me safe should someone attack. But that doesn't mean I want them to mistakenly attack an innocent passerby who I simply did not see because it was too dark. Be aware of your surroundings.

4. Bring water. Even if you aren't going to have any for yourself, make sure you have some for your pooch. Granted, during the winter I typically don't if I'm running less than 5 miles but it is still a good rule to follow.

5. They need training, too. Just like you built up to running your daily miles and weekly long run, your pup needs that build up too.

6. The last, and most important, tip: HAVE FUN!! Running with your dog isn't just exercise for them; it's also a chance to spend some quality time with mom (or dad). My pups know as soon as they see me pull out running clothes what we are about to do and their excitement shows. And I love it. Find dog friendly races in your area or invite a friend and their pups to go for a run. Enjoy the moment with your dog and their joy at getting to run and be with you.

This photo was taken in July 2012 at the Superhero Dash in Olympia, WA with my two favorite running companions:Bat-dog (Apollo) and Robin-dog (Kona) :)

Motivation can come from the most unlikely sources

I started my new job today. Let's just say I'm less than thrilled but am beyond grateful to have the job. I will definitely be on the hunt for something new though, that's for sure. So far, the people have been great but the company is starting to seem more and more like not such a great company. I disagree with a lot. But, I guess I have to put up with it. For now. The pups and I went for a 2.25 mile run this morning. Nothing beats getting up and going for a run in crisp fall air. I would have loved to have gone longer but I woke up a little too late. Any run is better than no run, though and I'm glad I made it out there. This is also what brings me to the title of this post. While out on said run, an older man parked his car along the road outside an office (presumably where he works), got out of his car and said something along the lines of "It's good to see you out here. Keep up the good work." Now, there was a time when I hated when people would say stuff like that to me. My other "fat" runners out there will understand. It can make you feel like the person speaking to you is so surprised that you can run that they feel the need to say something. In fact, I will never forget that when I first started running (which began as invite from two college roommates to run the Honolulu Marathon with them) and told people I was training for it, I actually had a friend say "You're running a marathon?!" Insert snide chuckle from said friend here. If you can't tell, this made me a little jaded. And my own lack of self-confidence at the time only added more fuel to that fire. But I did run the marathon that year (2007) and even though I slacked off on training towards the end (a terrible mistake!) and walked the last 6 miles, I still crossed that finish line and earned that finisher's medal. I've since realized, through several more years of loathing random comments from strangers, that some people just genuinely want to cheer you on and in their own way let you know that they think you are awesome.

So this brings me back to my experience today. There aren't many safe places around Wilmington to go running, let alone with dogs. And by unsafe, I mean very few sidewalks and basically no crosswalks, aided by drivers that just don't pay attention. So I had set out to run a route that was just over 1.5 miles as it is a fairly safe route that I can start from my house and a shorter distance than my other "safe" route (which is at minimum 4.25 miles, something I was NOT ready for today). But when this total stranger today offered a few words of encouragement, he had no way of knowing that he provided me with a second wind that without hesitation, made me take a left turn and add 0.75 miles to my route. That might not seem like very far, but when you haven't been sticking to your normal routine (i.e., not running at all), even that extra 0.75 miles can feel like an extra two miles. So to the old man today, I say thanks.

For any newer runners out there, I'd like to use this as an opportunity to remind you that it is absolutely okay to accept encouragement from total strangers. And no matter how self-conscious you feel, remember that the people who drive by you on your runs aren't thinking about whatever problem areas on you that you are; instead they are thinking of one of three things: 1. "Man, I can't wait to go for my next run!", 2. "Wow, that takes a lot of motivation" or 3. "I wish I could do that." So dust that chip off your shoulder, welcome that encouragement and run with your head held high. You never know; you just might be encouraging someone else to take that first step out the door or run that extra half mile.