Day 22

This morning was a beautiful morning to walk/run! There was a nice breeze on the track field and the air was clear.  I arrived at the track later than usual but it was okay to do that today because as I have just mentioned, it was a cool out.

I did 2.06 miles on the track today. I wore my new running shoes and they felt great. I felt like they gave me more support than the other ones I had been wearing previously. I definitely ran more and walked less than I did yesterday. I ran a larger portion of each lap and in the end jogged back to my truck. I felt as though I had exercised but I wasn’t tired.  I may have to up the ante tomorrow and run more than walk on those last two laps. I run shorter distances on the last two laps because that’s when my stamina starts to decrease.

Daisy was at the track today doing her thing. When she saw me come in, she waved eagerly as she jogged effortless around the track. I admired her stride and immediately started my own little jog.  I was done with my eight laps in what seemed like no time at all. When I first started run/walking three weeks ago, four laps felt like eternity. Three weeks in and I’m running like a marathon runner. Who knew? Okay, I’m exaggerating and wait… Did I just say the “M” word? I am definitely NOT training for a marathon so scratch that last sentence.

What else happened today? Oh, of course there were dogs on the track today. Why wouldn’t there be? I might as well run my two miles in a dog park.  I’d probably run into less dogs there than I do on that track field. Just as I rounded up my fifth lap, I saw entering the track from the same entrance Marmaduke and Puggie had entered that day (see Day Three), not one, not two, but three big golden retrievers.  All the other people who were walking and jogging on the track turned and looked at me. Why?  Because of course where else would all three dogs run, but directly to me? There were four other people on that damn track field and Moe, Larry and Curly decided to come bother me. I think I need to do like one of my Twitter friends said and get some dog treats to keep in my pocket. What are you thinking? That doing so will attract dogs to me? They already come to me. I might as well have something to give them so they won't think I'm the treat. Geesh.

Now as I have said, I was in my fifth lap so I was in no condition to mess around with any dogs. Not to mention I did not have an umbrella with me as it was bright and sunny out. All three dogs ran directly up to me and started wagging their tails. I looked to see where their owner was and he was jogging into the gate where they had entered from and he immediately called out to them. One licked my hand while the other two just trotted beside me wagging their tales. He called out to them again and then all three dogs ran over to him and followed him over to the open field of grass on the other side of the track. I have to admit I admired how well trained those dogs were. I’d prefer if they kept their well-trained selves off of the track and away from me, but it was cool to see all dogs, who were identical in looks, run together across the track field. I would have taken a picture but again, my energy level was low and I needed it to finish my last three laps. Here's one I found on the internet.

Anyway, after I did the rest of the two miles on the track without further incidence, I came back home and took Sara for a walk around the block. I wanted to run with her beside me for a little while to teach her how to jog with me. Why did I do that after my run/walk at the track? That dog almost gave me a heart attack. At first she was a little hesitant to walk with the leash. She kept biting and tugging on it but once BabyGenius and I started running, she went full speed. I had to slow her down before I passed out right there at the end of my block. I had just walked/ran two miles and was not ready for a full sprint around the block with her. I have to train her to jog. Right now her speeds are “walk” and “sprint.” She needs to learn in between. ASAP.

So that’s it folks. I did the 2.06 miles and probably another ¼ of a mile in my neighborhood. I think that makes a good day’s exercise? What say you? And so until tomorrow…

Ms. P.