Notes
Last run of a good year. Most miles ever. PRs at every distance. Longest races, best Monkey, most hours afoot. A good year. That despite lots of hot days with bibs on, lots of illness here in the Fall and early Winter and several failed goal races. Today was the last run of the year. A planned hour with a buddy around the neighborhoods.
Up predawn. Cool 40s out, a light rain misting the ground. Meeting my buddy a short 4-5 minute jog from the house. I got dressed, headed for the door, but did not quite make it. The dog was up.
Dog is a GIANT schnoodle, a lanky, energetic, smart and goofy mix between two types of big dogs that run. And this dog has taken to running. She has not yet had trouble with any challenge I have thrown at her, including a fast trip around the hilly 11.2 with the buddy I was on the way to meet. This dog can run. But not this morning. It was too dark, too wet and I was too tired to take her. So I left her wagging atop the stairs as I headed out. Crying and howling.
Crying and howling in the early morning in the house? With kiddos sleeping? That could not last. So my wife let the dog out. No worries, we have an invisible fence. So the dog followed me partway down the driveway and then sat down to wait for my return. And I took off jogging.
I made it all of about 2 minutes down the road. Then I heard it. The sounds of a crazed wild animal flying towards me in the dark at a speed nothing living has any business moving. I turned around just in time to see a large black shape galloping at top speed straight at me. Yep, the dog. Criminy. So she'd be joining me this morning after all. But I had no lease with me. So I had to turn around, jog back home, switch out her electric collar for a leash and then try again.
Of course, by time I got to where I was gonna meet my buddy, he was driving off. I was late and he was done waiting (sorry dude). So the dog and I went out and finished a nice hour around in the wet and dark. A nice cap to 2009 after all.