Attachment

I don't enjoy running without Shelby any more.

I noticed this dependence issue arising over the summer as we trained for the half-marathon in Colorado: I had to do a few runs without her because I wasn't sure if I could keep going without her companionship and constant tugs. I did, and I was fine, but I felt like I was missing a limb. This feeling subsided a bit when I had to take some time off for my toe to heal, got back into running ever so slowly, and did several races on my own. But after doing a race with her, I found in a 5k today that I didn't really enjoy the run much. I had too much fun talking to everyone last week as we sped by and watching the smiles creep onto people's faces when they saw her tongue lolling all over, and I love that she doesn't let me slow down--she just looks up at my every so often and keeps pulling.

Maybe I'm just tired from the sinus infection plaguing me this week; maybe I've just done too many 5ks and 10ks lately and need to train again for something longer to keep me feeling challenged.

Maybe I'm just overly attached to running with my dog. Whatever.

Shelby's First 10K!

The nice people at the Pilgrim Pacer last weekend let Shelby run, and she was super: She stayed glued to the side of the trail and didn't interrupt anyone's running. Her only issue was a short spell of impatience before the start--she was super excited and started giving her screechy bark, but once the race started, she was off. In fact, the only time Shelby wasn't leading the way was at the end (as shown in the pic). We finished out in 52:04 even after the hills at the end that just about took us both out. She made everyone smile, and I smiled with them: I couldn't ask for a better running buddy.

More Tentative Hurrahs

This week, Shelby and I have run between 14 and 15 miles: 2.5 miles Tuesday, 3 miles Wednesday, 5 miles Saturday, and 4 miles Sunday. I didn't intend to run that much, but everything has felt good so far--and she was soooo much calmer every day after our runs. Without the activity, she has put on a little weight and taken to chasing my cat and Meeso, some times going on random sprints around the house late at night. She gets bored at the dog park after 20 minutes or so, so that wasn't helping as much as I had hoped.

Not running had the opposite effect on me: My mood slumped considerably, and I felt tired much of the time. This year's running span has been my longest consecutive stretch of running (or doing any kind of exercise) without a break in my life at nine months (so far), and the positive addiction wasn't evident until the toe forced me to take those three weeks off. Getting my bike out again was great, but it didn't provide the same intensity and has the added issue of being dangerous in a city that is not bike friendly. I couldn't stand going to the gym, trying to find machines to use that would give me the same exhausted, exhilarated, fulfilled feeling that running gave me. Swimming, biking, elliptical machines--none of them did it. I like running too much--purposeless, random running just to get out and move without mechanical devices aiding the way. Weird. I never thought I would admit to such a thing, but there it is. It makes me feel good, it has reshaped my body a bit (more on that later), and it gives me a chance to bond with Shelby and what bit of nature I can experience in a city environment. I like running.

If I can keep taking it slow and keeping the mileage within reason, I'm hoping we'll be in good shape for whatever short runs I sign up this fall (our zoo's 4-mile run is one of my favs, and I signed up to be one leg in a marathon relay team months ago). I'm still considering doing the MS150 this year, too, now that I've gotten back onto my bike. We'll see.

Back?

I went to a podiatrist three weeks ago who declared "seisamoiditis" after talking with me and looking over x-rays. That was a good thing because it means none of the bones are fractured, but he still suggested a foot brace/walking caste thing--even though he said it wouldn't help my foot heal any more quickly. I opted out of that and went my merry way, getting out my bike again to try to keep in shape for the 4-6 weeks he suggested I rest.

The bike's been good to me: I quickly remembered how much I love riding (I used to ride everywhere and do MS150s every fall), but I was still antsy to get back to my morning runs. Last week, after more than two weeks, my foot was feeling fine, so I tried out running on a treadmill. The first day, I only did one mile, and while my foot didn't bother me too much, I was disappointed at how winded I felt. I'd been exercising almost every day, but the biking, swimming, and other activities just didn't get my heart going the way running does. The next day, I did two miles and felt good, but I quit when my foot started bothering me and decided to take a few days off.

The pain didn't last past the second I stepped off the treadmill, so today, after three more days without running, I took off with Shelby for a 2.5 miler. She was ecstatic, almost knocking me down the stairs when I left her out of her crate after putting Meeso into hers. We took a well-worn path to a nearby park, and Shelby--and my foot--did great. Again, though, the breathing got me: Shelby wanted to go the same speed we had been going a month ago, and I kept having to tug on her leash to get her to slow down so I could gulp enough air to keep going.

I'm a little disappointed at how quickly I lost the pace I worked for months to gain, but the joy of being out again more than makes up for it. I know I can get it back; I just have to make sure I don't push too hard or too much in the process . . .

Sad Eyes

Shelby got pretty excited this morning when she saw me get out my Asics, the shoes I have been wearing because they have the best padding for my toe. When I didn't make a move for her running leash, though, her tail drooped, and I got the sad eyes. Less than a week until the podiatrist visit . . .

Made It (Sigh)

Too tired to fully explore everything the way I want to right now, I am posting something tonight as a sort of bookmark for the event: I might have exacerbated the injury to my left big toe (also known as the hallux, Latin fans), but I did finish my first half-marathon this past Saturday in two hours and three minutes, just a few minutes past where I wanted to be. Keeping the toe injury and the lack of altitude readiness in mind, I'm okay with that finish.

Having gotten to our hotel an hour-and-a-half later than hoped after a tire almost blew out and had to be replaced, the boyfriend and I had less than 12 hours to acclimate to the 8,500-foot altitude before getting up at a little after 5:00 a.m. to head to the start line. After standing outside for an hour and fifteen minutes in 48 degree weather, I was off with a 12-minute first mile that was my longest. Yes, indeed, I ran negative splits (increasingly faster miles) for the most part up until the last couple of miles, where I ran out of steam--and, I think, air. The hardest miles were the first few, where I was doubting my ability to keep going, and the last few, where the mountain scenery (gushing stream on the left-hand side, pine and birch trees on the right, mountains and blue sky everywhere) was no longer working its charm because every particle in me was gasping for the finish line.

I managed a sprint and a smile at the end, though, and one more silent thanks for the dog who couldn't participate but who had pulled me through all the miles that got me there. I think she was the happiest of the three dogs when we got home, but I've already told her: No more running until the toe is x-rayed, and no more longer distances this year. We'll be okay.

(P.S. I forgot to mention a couple of weeks ago that I had another first for the summer: My first medal! I was first in my age group for a local 5k with around 400 participants. It's been quite a summer for the running, and I hate to take it easy now, knowing all the good fall runs coming up, but . . .)

Disappointment

Ten weeks of training and a toe injury is taking me down a few days before the half marathon. I'm going to try to do it and take it easy, but, but, but . . . So much for feeling prepared and ready.

Motivation

If a woman with cystic fibrosis can do it, if a man who has been told he will never walk can do it, if a nun can do an ultra in a habit, if a man can juggle all the way, maybe I can, too: Check out Marathon Voices for some fascinating inspiration.

Naivete

Largely because I was distracted by the forum title while looking at training programs, I ended up reading a forum on Runner's World about running with dogs and was amazed to find out just how many accessories I could be buying for Shelby if, well, I was into that sort of thing (for her or me). For instance, to keep her cooler while we are running, I could buy her a cooling vest from Ruff Wear: Products for Dogs on the Go. A cooling vest. Is there such a thing for humans, too? I don't know--and I'm okay with not finding out.

July Totals (So Far)

• June 28-July 4: 18 miles plus cross training days
• July 5-11: 24 miles (abandoned cross training for the most part)
• July 12-18: 27 miles
• July 19-22: 32 miles (Must do 12 this weekend) (Need to get back into some cross training, especially weight lifting)
  

To keep potential injuries at bay, most runners' sites suggest we're only supposed to increase our distance around 10% a week from the previous week, but this week, we may be smashing through that. We're certainly putting ourselves into good shape for the marathon I'm considering running using the Rookie Marathon Training Plan I found . . . It isn't one of the sexiest marathons I could find, but travel won't be an issue, and I can handle cold much better than heat (Shelby might need some coverage, though). We shall see.

Contemplation

We did 10-11 miles yesterday and another 6-7 today. The First-Half Marathon Training Plan I've been tentatively following has us doing our longest, hardest week this week before we start tailing off training for a race, the one I've chosen being the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon. Even though I know the altitude of this Colorado run will add some intensity (8500 feet down to 7500 feet by the end), I picked this race anyway for its timing (it fit perfectly with the end of the training plan and the timing of my semester break), its relative closeness (it is within eight or so hours of where I live), and its scenic potential (mountains and hiking!).

In the lead-up to a half marathon, the 3-day plan we've been following only demands three days a week of running with three additional days of cross-training, but since my nephew was in town visiting two weeks ago, I substituted running for the cross-training because it was easier to fit in. Plus, I'm finding that I look forward to our daily runs the same way I used to look forward to long walks: I can run easily enough now that my mind isn't exclusively or overly focused just on keeping my feet moving or obsessing over the small pains that come and go during longer runs.

Instead, my mind wanders more freely, picking through my life and daydreams with the same quiet contemplation of an easy hike, only when I'm running, I am more able to get into what I imagine is a zen-like zone where even these mental distractions dissipate, and I can just be. I seldom bring my iTunes Shuffle when I run anymore, preferring to listen to whatever is around me, and some times, when the clouds and the sun are just so in the sky, I get this endorphine-enhanced euphoric feeling that stays with me even after we've stopped. These are the side effects of training for longer distances that I would have never believed I would experience as I struggled through running on a tread mill the first few months of the year to get back into running 5ks--and these are some of the reasons I continue on.

Dehydration . . .

The weather has been unseasonably nice: high 70s and 80s, which made our 10-mile run today pleasant. We did between 10 and 11 miles, but Shelby wouldn't drink water when we stopped. She stayed strong for most of the run, but her lack of hydration made me nervous. She seemed fine today, even went on a walk tonight with my boyfriend, but still . . .

Exceptions

As I noted in my last post, Shelby is a great dog--for the most part. Of course, we've had to work through a few things as we have started building a framework for her life with me. For instance, Catahoulas are known for their high intelligence. Like Dalmatians and many other highly intelligent dogs, if they do not receive attention and stimulation (mental and physical), they get bored, which brings out all sorts of fun behaviors.

In Shelby's case, she retains the puppy-hood habit of chewing on things if she is not otherwise occupied. I didn't think much about this issue when I came across fluff from some old slippers all over the living room floor; I didn't like those slippers anyway. I didn't think much about the chewing when I found mangled cat toys, either; that's what those toys are for, and the cat wasn't using them.
However, the day when I came home to find out Shelby chewed the backs of my brand new running shoes while waiting for my boyfriend to get out of bed, I took notice. "Those are $100 shoes!" I exclaimed to my boyfriend. "I just got them!" He apologized and told me he would pay for a new pair, but really, I felt extravagent buying new shoes already--buying another pair so soon seemed ridiculous.

The next day, I tried wearing my old pair again when we ran, but I ended up with drastically enlarged blisters on the sides of my big toes. Part of the purpose of the new shoes was to reduce the blister problem by increasing the shoe size by a half and to give my feet more room because I was increasing my distance so much. The blisters were getting painful and ended up getting infected, so I knew I needed the new shoes. Not having time to go to the running store that day, though, I decided to see if the chewed pair could still be used. After a couple of runs, I decided they were fine as long as I didn't let them get too wet, which would destroy the exposed cushioning of the back of the shoe.

Even with the new chewed shoes, though, the blisters (which were nowhere near any spot where Shelby damaged the shoes) kept getting worse, so I finally decided to use a 20% coupon I had for Saucony brand shoes. I had been wearing Asics faithfully for three years, and having been attached to the feel of my old Asics, I decided against a pair of Saucony shoes the last time I tried new shoes. The coupon, the blisters, and the chewing led me down the path of brand heresy, which has been a good thing. Since getting the new Sauconies, my blisters have been disappearing, even with increased mileage.

As for Shelby's chewing, I managed that through a sale on chewing products at a local PetsMart: She, Meeso, and Molly love their cow hooves. And even if they do stink up the house a bit, the hooves are worth it for the shoes and other objects they save. Of course, closing the shoes away in my closet has helped, too.

Discovery

I'd been thinking about adopting a third dog for several months. Crazy? Everyone seemed to think so, but as I started a third year of doing the local 5k running circuit, I had a feeling I might go on to longer runs, and living in a decent-sized city, I knew I would feel safer if I had a companion dog. Meeso, my Pembroke, has never been able to run much longer than half a mile. She loves hiking--at eight years old, she was still able to hike 12 miles in the South Dakota Black Hills--but she's a sprinter when it comes to running. Molly, my German Shepherd, is 12 and has several health problems, including loss of vision and coordination in her back legs. She is spectacularly loyal and brave, as her breed tends to be, but I hesitate to take her on walks, let alone runs.

So, I knew I wanted some energy, but I could not handle anything younger than two, the age where most pups are entering some level of maturity. I tried that last year with a Coonhound mix, and I wouldn't try it again. But after more than a month of trying to reach people at the rescue where I acquired Molly, I was giving up when I signed up for the Run for the Dogs, a benefit for the Heart of America Humane Society. I'd discovered the organization and its run when I ran into a local PetsMart one Saturday, checking out potential adoptables. After signing up for the run, I looked through their list of dogs needing homes, made a mental list of potentials, and hoped to see them at the run.

Well, I did see one of the potentials at the run, and while he seemed sweet, I am cautious about adopting male dogs because of problems I've had with them in the past, and I wanted to meet another dog in particular who I'd been scouting and researching for breed tendencies: a Catahoula Leopard Dog--a short-haired, spotted dog (meaning a merle gene interacted with the dogs' coloring) who looked intelligent but sounded a bit reserved from her Petfinder description. A day or two after the run, I emailed her foster mom and waited.

Within a few days, she emailed back, and after a few exchanges, we arranged a meeting. I had high hopes, but I kept telling myself that I needed to be prepared for a dog who sounded like she might be shy. The drive took a little longer than I expected, but when I spotted Shelby, she looked at me, made a beeline in my direction, and I knew she would be the next addition to the family: Sweet, affectionate, and unique looking, she seemed to take to me in a way I had experienced with Meeso and Molly--a way I knew meant we had the potential to be a good match.

Because I had to be interviewed by a screener, I came back in a few days, and after a short tussle over medical issues, I went home with Shelby, who remembered me from the previous visit. In the almost two months I have had her, she has been as close to perfect as I could hope to find in an independent dog: listening to me (most of the time), staying by my side, going on vacation with Meeso to South Dakota (see the pic above), and running as far and as hard as I have to push us both to prepare for a half-marathon in August. She won't get to do the actual run with me because of race regulations, but she'll be with me in spirit, and I will miss her steadfast energy the entire way.

In the mean time (and after), I'm looking forward to sharing our running stories.

Morning Runner

In the first half mile of our run, she was pulling over into the grass, stopping, and staring at me. No peeing. No squatting to poop. No movement at all, in fact: Just staring. I re-started us up. She pulled over again with a harder tug, didn't want to move.

If she is capable of regret, I imagine she felt it then, regret for sitting so eagerly by my side as I tied my new shoes in the yellow glow of our porch light, regret for being so docile as I clipped the leash to her collar.

The next night, I couldn't get her past two houses on our street before she was pulling over, stopping, and staring. After a couple of false starts, I dropped her off back at the house and ran without her for the first time in weeks. In almost two months of running with me, she'd never done that before, but we'd never started that late before, either: It was after 10:00, maybe closer to 11:00. It was cooler at the time of night, and my nephew, who was visiting for the week, was in bed, so we were free to go as long as we pleased. But she was not having any of it.

Two days later when we were scheduled to do our weekly long run, I woke up to what my half-blind, weary eyes thought was 6:58 and decided to go running since I couldn't get back to sleep. Twenty minutes into taking my three dogs out and feeding them, I looked at the kitchen clock--6:20. On a Sunday morning. I sighed, looked at Shelby and her frantically wagging tail, shrugged my shoulders, harnessed her up, and we were off for eight miles. Just as she did with our 10-mile run the weekend before, she did splendidly, pulling me up hills and toward every squirrel she saw, only stopping to go to the bathroom or gulp down some water.

She must be a morning runner, like me.