Runner's Best Friend

Over the last few weeks my running has been to the refrigerator more than on the pavement. First, we were on vacation where my motivation went out in a canoe on the lake most days. I did manage to run an eight miler on the very hilly mountain roads but it nearly killed me. After that, I took to walking the dogs until I saw four bears, and decided driving in my car was the better way to travel. Although this was safer, it did very little for my training. 

Then of course the hurricane hit and ruined more than just my schedule. I was very fortunate to have only lost power in the storm, but with the hustle of preparing and cleaning up from Irene I had little time for running.

Therefore, that leads me to today. I am very lucky to have the privilege of dog sitting for a very special dog named Maggie. Maggie is the sweetest thing and full of energy. Even though she is no longer a puppy in age, she maintains her puppy excitement to the fullest. Actually, that is an understatement; more accurately described she has the energy and excitement of a thousand toddlers on a day out in Disney World. Maggie has made an excellent running partner for me over the last few years. She has helped me with my 5K, and even my half marathon. Today Maggie proved she could be not just partner but, coach, trainer and motivator.

I started out my run with Maggie in a full on sprint. This is how she likes to get my blood pumping. As we hit the first mile I talked her into slowing down a bit (OK begged) to a nice easy pace. I told myself that I would not do my full run today since I have Maggie and only do maybe half and step up tomorrow. When we reached the two-mile mark, I headed down a cul-de-sac to make a turn to go back to the house. However, Maggie had other ideas. As we came out of the street, she headed in the opposite direction as home urging me on. I told her that the farther we run the farther we have to run back, but she did not care. As mile three approached, I once again tried to make a U-turn so that our complete run would be six miles. I was determined to not overdo and risk wearing her out before we got back. This time she complied but seemed to eye me suspiciously. 

As we headed back and tackled miles four and five, I felt a huge wave of fatigue hit me. I was struggling to keep pace and really wanted to call it quits and start to walk. Maggie would not have it. Whenever I slowed down, she picked it up pulling me faster, and not letting up. The last bend before the finish was in sight but instead of going right, she went left. No matter how much I pulled or called her she was insisting we take another route. I really had no choice but to go with her or risk having my arm ripped off. She led me down street after street, as the app on my phone chirped away the mileage. 

Finally when we seemed to have done close to eight miles she headed towards home. At the house she lapped up her water and I downed mine. We both went to the backyard where I collapsed on a bench and she laid on the ground legs out feeling the coolness on her belly. The tiredness washed over me and I was dripping with sweat. Maggie lay staring at me as if she could do another round. I told her that we were only supposed to do four today, and at that moment she came over and licked my hand. I could see in her eyes that she was thinking, “You know four was not enough.” She was right, four would not have been enough. Sometimes it takes something outside of myself to get me to do what I need to. Later tonight when I go see her again I will bring my kids. They can wear her out in the yard because I dare not “walk” her twice in one day.