Sick Pup

Tucker runs with me every morning.  He pulls me up the hills and is relentless when I beg for a slower pace.  He hasn't run with me in over a week.  Every dog needs dental work now and then, but somehow his dental procedure ended up far more complicated.  He was sedated for over 7 hours and had 6 teeth pulled.  Afterwards, I was instructed he would be okay to run again in a day or two and expect normal behavior within 24 hours.

Sadly, he was severely allergic to every medicine they administered.  The night after the surgery I sat with him outside for hours as he laid in the rain, ill beyond belief, and unwilling to come inside.  I finally wrapped him in a warm towel and held him on his bed until he fell asleep.  We've been in and out of his veterinary clinic every evening and while I know he hates me every time I bring him in for more examinations, I see his unconditional loyalty.

When I got up on Sunday for my long run, I looked at him laying fitfully in his bed.  I expected him to jump out the door and demand his leash, but he rolled over and let me leave without incident.

Obviously, he will be fine in a few days.  It is five days post operation and he is finally able to eat rice and chicken broth.  He is only 7 years old and Brittney Spaniels live a long time, but it made me think how lucky I am that my dog is the type that can run 14 miles without hesitation.  He can outlast me in almost every distance and can maintain a 7:00 per mile pace for 10K.  Tucker is amazing.  I know someday he will loose his ability to run.  That happens to all of us.  But for now, I love the look in his eyes when he sees my running clothes.  He doesn't love to run.  He loves the run.  Yes, there is a difference.


Who is your favorite running partner?  Do you like running with your pets, or without?  What is the one thing about running that you can't live without?

~Roadburner

Runner's lows

If there really is a runner's high,  I have perfected the runner's low.  During the longest run before every major race, I get sick.  I am not sure if I push my training too hard, or if I just psych myself up too much a week beforehand, but there is definitely a level of consistency here.  Last year, I ran 5 major races all within 8 weeks of each other, covering over 50 miles total.  I knowingly didn't give myself proper recovery time and I paid the price in the final 2 races.  While running my 20 miler for the Colfax Marathon in May, I ungracefully pushed back vomit the last 8 miles or so until I crossed the 20 mile mark and killed the grass while young kids watched in horror.  This weekend, I ran 12 miles on an extremely flat trail.  It should have been an easy run and yet, I stopped 3 times, throwing my head between my knees as my running partner, and good friend, bantered, "Should I get out my camera?" 

Heck, why not get out the camera?  Maybe it will serve as a good reminder for future training runs. I take great care of myself just before a race.  I tell myself things like,

• "Start drinking loads of water 3-4 days before the race."
• "Load up on healthy carbohydrates."
• "Don't drink too much wine, beer, or other stuff." 
• "Taper properly.  Don't overwork your muscles."
• "Don't eat junk, it will taste awful tomorrow!"
• "Start slow, finish strong."
• "You love running and you love competition.  Have fun with it!"

Somehow all those ideas only apply to racing weekends and I find myself miserable on many long training runs. 

• "That pizza, wings, and beer tasted better the first time!"
• "Cross training makes me faster, so why not double up workouts?"
• "Run your training miles fast!  Forget LSD Runs (Long Slow Distance).  Go quickly and move on with your weekend!" 
• "Why am I up at 4:00 am?  This is not fun!"

Maybe I need to feel miserable sometimes to help refocus my priorities.  I love that racing is not a one day commitment.  It takes months to train and life happens along the way.  The Highlands Ranch Half Marathon is Labor Day, Monday.  Wish me luck, I promise not to vomit!



Do you ever feel horrible during training runs?  Is it something that you could have avoided but did it anyway?  How do you enjoy life without messing with your training?


~Roadburner