February 26, 2010

Today I was attacked on my run by a Bear. A Bearbo Baggins to be exact. Yes, our 9 lb Pomeranian Bear attacked me and bit my leg while I was running tonight. I can safely say that this particular work out can go down in the books as my worst run yet. Talk to me again when I hit my mile 13 long run but for now, lets just say it was today.

If you don’t know much about Bear (which is doubtful because most of what I do is complain about his psychosis) just know that he doesn’t do well with children, ducks, strollers, mailmen, runners, big dogs, walkers, little dogs, babies, grannies, UPS, well…really anything outside of our tiny 600 square foot apartment. He barks, snarls, growls, lunges, and yes bites. One of the reasons I looked forward to training was because I thought I could take him out with me on my long runs and he’d get so wiped out (we’ve seen it happen once or twice) that he would just start to ignore everything else and love running. Today was not that day and never again will I attempt such a ridiculous feat.

We were finishing up the run and heading up the hill right before our house. I could see a runner coming towards me. Bear’s ears perked up and he started to jerk his head side to side in true exorcist fashion. I thought for a second that I could run into the street but that plan was quickly squashed when I also saw an oncoming car. I looked instead to the left and decided to run on the grass near the creek for a minute so as to let the runner pass without injury. Perhaps some trauma but no blood.

I jogged to the left and in what felt like slow motion, the runner got about ten feet away, Bear lunged and tried to bite him, jerking me. I slipped on some mud and fell hard and on the way down managed to put my leg in the jaws of death. I was bleeding and covered in mud, Bear was still in full on attack mode with his head thrashing side to side. He does this thing like a shark where I swear his eyes go black and roll back in his head so he can bite his prey without injuring his eyes. The runner was now running a 4 minute mile instead of an 8 minute mile. It was not pretty.

Out of sheer anxiety, I started to cry. This was NOT how this was supposed to happen. Worse yet, what if I had decided to take the street route and Bear had bitten me then. I would’ve been roadkill. I scolded Bear the entire rest of the way home sent him to bed without dinner and didn’t speak to him for two days. I don’t need to tell you he will not be invited on a run again.

February 2, 2010

Well, today was my first day of training. I was emotionally exhausted and completely drained. Ken and I got in late last night and I went into work early to try and get caught up so at least I wouldn’t feel stressed on top of it. I have to admit I was pretty nervous but excited at the same time. I got a few things to run in…a nylon zip up jacket that has a cute little hole for my ipod earphones and spandex (oh how unforgiving of the junk in my trunk but I hear its the best thing to run in) so at least I have that going for me. My first workout was scheduled to be a 20-30 minute run/walk. I was going to try my damndest to jog the whole thing. I had it booked as an appointment on my Outlook calendar so then it became just a matter of actually doing it. All day I would look at the appointment and get butterflies in my stomach.

As it turns out, I had to stay late at work to continue getting caught up on things. By the time I got home, the last thing I wanted to do was run. Take a hot shower, watch a movie, read a book, fall asleep in two seconds flat? Maybe. Run? Not so much. Having already had my first training run derailed for a few days, I was determined to get out there. I got home and got dressed in my new duds and laced up my new kicks. Hmm..now what to keep my ears warm? A bandana? Why yes, I think I will tie that around my head. True, I was a little Jackie Joyner-Kersee meets Tupac. I came out of the room a few minutes after nine all ready to go. Ken seemed a bit surprised.

“Where are you going?”

“Running.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Now?!”

“Yes Babe, I have to start some time.”

It was then that we decided I needed a running buddy. Granted I was only running laps around our apartment complex but it was dark and cold and who knows what could be lurking out there. There is only one dog I know who would be ferocious enough to take on the boogeymen. Bear. I leashed him up and off we went. Now, don’t get too excited. Let me remind you I only ran around our apartment complex. Plus, about halfway through, I got scared and decided just to run around the large carport island just outside our apartment. As first runs go, it wasn’t half bad. I will admit, I didn’t have any major ephiphanies or turning points or anything. In fact, it was rather boring. I listened to my tunes and just kept going.

I am convinced that not all major changes in our life happen because of a turning point or breaking point or any other point. Sometimes there is no point at all. Sometimes its a Tuesday afternoon after you’ve eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Perhaps even the most significant changes in our life happen not because of a catastrophic event but simply because…you have to start some time.