Yesterday’s run was… Different!
Okay it was 95 degrees and 104 heat index. It felt hotter than that. Also I had worked all day and had my Chiropractor yank on my leg and my hip for a while. I decided to take it slow and not even worry about mileage. Just see how it goes.
It didn’t go well. I was sore, tired and hot. Also I only drank 32 oz of water (but the day before I drank 180 oz).
A new friend
As I ran, I debated giving up after 2 miles. I don’t want to run a hard run and take a chance of getting hurt this close to my marathon. But I decided to run at least 2 more miles. Storms were on the horizon, but seemed far enough away to make a go of it.
Then I saw a dog running in the roadway ahead of me. A car was coming down the road and fortunately saw the dog and almost came to a stop as the dog ran in and our of the road carefree. I called to it as I ran by to get him out of the street and he moved out of the way of the car and I kept running.
Then I heard a voice of someone behind me saying, “You’ve got a friend with you”. I looked back and the dog was running right behind me. He ran up to me and just kept with me. He ran beside me, ahead of me, behind me, in and out in the street, but was always near me.
At one point we came up on some children with their puppy playing in their yard. The dog running with me ignored their dog, but their dog ran after “my” dog and the kids (age 7ish) ran after both. Then “my” dog started chasing their dog. They screamed and panicked at this point. So I tried to distract the dog running with me and that didn’t work. Finally I called to him and got him to come to me and I held its collar for a few seconds while the kids scooped up their dog and ran into the house.
And away we went!
Up hills, down hills and throughout the neighborhood we ran together. I had to point him out to a few more cars and he kept right up with me,
in the heat, for 2 miles.
Finally we went past a house with people outside. He ran to them and they called to him. I never saw him again. I can only assume he was theirs. He was a bit mangy and dirty though; like he had been outside on his own for a while.
Then I ran home and threw the stick with “The Dog” outside.
Isn’t it funny how you can have a difficult run in a thousand degree heat and a stray dog can make it a fun run!
Going out to run 11 miles with @BigBigGeek. My last “long” run before the marathon. It is 78 degrees at 5:15 AM. Should be fun!!!
278 to Boston 
This is a great post. It is amazing how something can change the whole run. Plus you probably saved that dog.
That was a fun run because of that dog. At first I was a little hard with it, but then I really enjoyed having the company!!
What a great, unexpected, story! Glad you got the run in, and it was better than anticipated! Sending you some of our cooler air… Or I’m at least willing it towards you!
Thank you so much. I need to cool air. Send some to Pennsylvania for next weekend please. 🙂
I’ll do my best! 🙂
Awe what fun, I love it! 🙂
It was great!!! Thanks!
I loved this post! I want that to happen to me, but with my luck, I’d get Cujo on my tail.
Ha! Thanks! It was great after I knew he was a nice dog. I found out today that he has run with some of my other kids at times also. 🙂
Love this!! I’ve tried to bring my dog but he’s very old.
I’m glad this happened to make the run easier.
Thanks! I have 2 dogs. One old and one new. Neither like to run with me. At least I had one for a little while.
I would have loved the distraction today on my run. Or storm clouds. Either one would have made me happy. Hope today’s last long one went well and that your body is feeling better and better. You are so close!
I know how you feel. Thanks! It is so close. I can’t believe it!!! I guess no stray dogs on my marathon. 🙂
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Love this!
Thanks!
Loose dogs can quickly become friendly running companions or really scary and mean 4-legged creatures. I’m glad you experienced the former.
Me too! One time I had a Doberman come up to me barking and showing his teeth. I ran much harder up that hill. 🙂
I LOVE this post!! I’m getting so excited for you!! I feel like I’m the one running, LOL!
Your post makes me want to go out and adopt a dog! 🙂
I’m glad and THANK YOU. I’ll be running this time next week. Hopefully I’ll only have a hand full of miles to go! Talking about adopting a dog, TJ just got another puppy from the Humane Society about a month ago. One of the cutest dogs you’ll ever see!!!