So here’s a quick story that I forgot to share…
It happened a couple of weeks ago right after my long run. This was my second 10-mile run, and by now I had started to figure out what works and what doesn’t work. For starters, getting up before the sun comes up–works. Running with the sloshing-brick-of-a-water-bottle-glorified fanny pack–doesn’t work. So I finished, took my ice bath, drank a protein shake, and reveled in the glory that is the post long run rest. I then loaded up the kiddo to go somewhere (I don’t remember where). As I pulled out of my driveway, I noticed a runner strolling on by. Here was my thought process:
Cool, another runner!
Fancy clothes–she must be a serious runner.
Man, she’s running fast–she really is a serious runner.
Why is everyone faster than me?
She’s running on the sidewalk? Maybe she’s not that serious.
At least I already finished my run. That makes me serious.
Wait. Is that a dog chasing her? Ohh, that’s why she’s running so fast.
Why do people let their dogs out like that? That’s so annoying.
That dog is totally harassing that girl. She’s having to high-step to get away from it.
Huh, that kind of looks like our dog. I didn’t know there was another black miniature schnauzer on this street.
(pause)
Wait. Did I leave the door open for a second when I was leaving today?
At this point, the world stopped for a moment, and I realized that my own worst nightmare of being chased by a dog while running was now happening to someone else. And I had caused it. I sped down the road and pulled a quick u-turn. I now had a complete unobstructed view of the excitement that our dog was experiencing by chasing this poor girl down our block. And boy was he excited. Perhaps it’s the fact that we never walk our dog, or let him out of the front of the house, or some combination of a few years of rarely doing anything exciting with him, but he was showing his gratitude now. I’ve never seen him move so fast. As for the girl–she did not look happy. And now, she was really fast.
I pulled ahead a couple of houses (while certainly breaking the speed limit followed by parking practically in the middle of the street–I figured if the HOA is gonna get me for having my dog out, I might as well make it worth their while). I hopped out and ran over to scoop up Wiley. I hesitated, wanting to offer an overly dramatic apology to the girl to let her know I understood the crime I had just committed. But I focused on the dog and got him into the back of the car. The girl kept running, and I took Wiley back to the house and continued on with wherever it was that I was going. I felt pretty guilty for awhile. Still do. I’m sure she either blogged or facebooked all about it. As she should. I’m sure it made for a good story to tell. So if by some small chance this blog finds her–my sincerest apologies. I hope I haven’t tainted a favorite running route or spoiled a new one. I hope that you finished your run and the unplanned interval wasn’t too much of a hindrance. Please forgive Wiley, our dog, as well. If it is any consolation–it was the highlight of his week.
