Each Day Is a Gift

You are so committed!! :) I just love everything about you Smoothie Q!!

It is funny how a few changes can make a run much more manageable. I think that is where experience comes in handy... you know what you can change and then just live with what you can't. (even if you are just changing clothes!)

Teena,

I'm running some miles for you.

Kathie,

Talk about change...On the second try, I had run no more than 0.2 when a pack of dogs came running barking towards me. O'mgosh! I made a quick turnaround and dashed to another street. It was a life or death changing moment.

Oh I think runners should have animal control on speed dial. I love my dog and that is why you will never see her out roaming the town... this is a touchy subject as you can see!

Kathie,

I appreciate responsible and loving dog owners like you. I've been lucky (knock on wood) so far. I hope I don't ever have to call animal control, 'cause these "neighbors" are in my Stake. I have yelled at the dogs one time: "if you bite me, I'm suing you!" as if the owners could hear me, yeah right!

Here in Vernal the dog problem seems to be out of control! Every time I go for a run I am chased by at least three dogs. I have finally just started yelling at them. Sometimes they are scared of me and run away. But then again, who isn't scared of me?

O Bec, You are too funny. Will you run with me everyday? I doubt anyone can be scared by you. Two yelling voices is better than one, I'm sure!

He he he. You make me laugh Smooth. We would make a funny pair running down the street yelling at dogs! I have thought about getting a tazer. With all of the dogs, wild life, and scary people, you never know what is going to get you!

Look at your miles!!! You are so amazing! great job today.

Funny girl! I had to make wardrobe adjusts on my MOnday run. It feels good to know we can MAKE it work, rain or shine, snow or sleet!! Nothing will stop us!!!! Great run little one!

Smooth, I'm so impressed you went home changed and went out again. That kind of weather might just make me call 5 good! Good luck with the dogs, if you ever need to borrow Lucy she's a good running companion and keeps the other dogs away! Or, I can come with her and we'll all have a jolly good time!

Smooth I dont get it. You dont seem to ever complain about your cramps on any of your runs. Yet in your races they seem to attack you. Do you have cramps on your training runs much at all??

Nope, I never get charlie horse during training runs. Occasionally I might get a twitch or tightness if I stopped or slowed down suddenly. I don't even take any of that electrolyte stuff during training runs, only Gatorade if I run longer than 12 miles. I can't figure that out.

You're so Smooooooth! Bummer about the dogs. I've noticed that they get a lot braver and agressive when there's more than one of them. I've never been bitten, but on a recent run, I heard the barking..and kept on running. Then when you start to hear the sound of their claws on the road, and the barking gets less and less... scary stuff. I've been lucky, so far. Knock on wood. Usually, a stern "GO HOME!" does the trick. I need to start carrying my pepper spray again..

Got any goal time for Boston this year, Smooth? (I know it's a little early to discuss goals, but hey...why not?)

Yep, I've done the "GO HOME", clap my hands, make myself look big and menacing stuff. It worked for the little mutts. Today there were three dogs, one yorkie, one German shorthair and a black lab. SCARY.

K, Goals for Boston:

1) Satisfied: Finish with no charlie horse.

2) Happy: BQ

3) Ecstatic: PR by 5 min.

I like your goals. We definitely need to get rid of ole Charlie! (Last time I gave advice on not cramping, I ended up cramping, so I'm going to let the experts help you out there). A 5 min PR at Boston will be huge! (I'll buy your dessert after the post-race dinner if you make that goal!)

Smooth, I think you can get that 5 minute PR at Boston. Just remember to NOT start out too fast. I've heard that advice a million times about running Boston.

As for the charlies horses that we both seem to be having Smooth. What I am thinking is it might be just hitting the pace to fast in races and you paying for it later with charlie going for the ride. I have noticed when I hit a fast pace right from the beginning of a run without a good warm up they come up. I am wondering if that is the same for you. Since you normal start out at a slower pace and build up in all your training runs. Just something to think about.

Smart wardrobe change:) I bet it felt SO good :) I tend to over dress and then shove all the extras into my pockets. I look very silly :) Nice miles :)

Every time I read your blog I am amazed at what a super athlete you are. You fit in to the Andy category of hard core runners.

Leslie,

Good thing my running gear is in the laundry room, very accessible...dash in and dash out.

Rachel,

I always wanted a dog to run with. Hubby is all supportive of it. I just haven't found the time to get me one and too lazy to train one. You're lucky to have Lucy or is she lucky to have you?

Marc,

DEAL!!! Desert at the post-race dinner party it is! Woohoo! I'm going for PR and desert!!!

Dale,

You got it. I will try to remember that: Don't go out like a jack rabbit out of a cage.

Mark,

I have thought about your reasoning as a very possible cause. Going out too fast definitely plays a role in muscle fatigue. I think it's a combination of muscle fatigue, poor pacing, and sudden drop of heart rate or blood pressure. I used to think it was heat, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; not sure about that any more.

Jeff,

Thanks for the complement. I highly doubt I belong to Andy's caliber of a runner. You are very kind.