New Year Plans

So, I started off my new year with new plans (plans, not resolutions, because I totally ripped that off from Krista).  And I went to the farmer's market this morning and bought some nice organic fare (yay - tilapia farmer was back!).  Then, I went to the grocery store and bought only organic vegetables (to "vote by dollar, via UPC data"), gritting my teeth at the register.

Then, I decided to forgo a run, since I'm planning on running 7 or 8ish miles tomorrow morning, and take the dogs to the park for a nice, long walk.  So, I loaded up Dingo in the back of the Yaris hatchback, then Gwen the pitbull in the passenger seat.  They were both sporting their nice pokey-mean-looking metal collars, which are great for walking, since they make the dogs stay together and do not pull (so much). 

Unfortunately, the design of the collars is such that it discourages the dog from pulling when walking forward; yet, when exiting a car, it does nothing to actually STAY AROUND THE DOG'S NECK.  So, I parked the car, set the Garmin (locating satellites), got Dingo out of the back, she briefly escaped her collar, but is a sucker and I releashed her when I met her on the other side of the car with a treat.  Then, I opened the passenger door to let Gwen out.  And I grabbed her leash, and she backed up, and the collar fell, and she was OFF TO THE RACES!

Yes, loose pitbull running free at last, free at last.  So, I (improperly) panicked and started chasing her, with Dingo in tow.  Luckily, Dingo likes to run, but trips me, so after the first flip I took over Dingo, I sprinted her back to the car and threw her back inside.  Then I headed out for Gwen the baddog again.  Unfortunately, the one command Gwen completely disregards is "Come," and she is not fooled by treats. 

So, I spent the next 20 minutes running tackle drills, trying to cut the angle on Gwen, to keep her away from traffic, to not scare people (they were scared of that fooldog), and to at least get an ankle tackle.  After four failed tackles (mercifully, on grass), I tried the only thing that usually works.  I lied down and kept still.  It's very tough to lie there and not look up to locate your baddog.  It didn't take long, though, and Gwen came over to slobber on me and possibly eat my corpse  come to my aid.  And I pinned her.  Then, I dragged her unwilling 65 pounds of muscle and bone back to the car.

And I was exhausted.  Garmin said .78 miles of dog chasing.  Lovely.  So much for my plan to walk the dogs more.

Happy New Year

After a fun night with friends and fireworks (in a legal area), I returned home and crashed - then was up most of the night with my PTSD doggy, Dingo, who was freaking out about the illegal fireworks being fired off all night around us.  Sigh. 

So, I hit the Cobweb Chaser 5k on 01-01-10 at 1000 hours (I like the binary nature of that) a bit bleary-eyed.  But it was a nice way to start another year of running and making ugly race pics.

I hope that the new year brings a rapid end to the fireworks (Dingo is huddled in a crate right now as they continue to pop and squee) and happiness to everyone!

Thanks to Tom Lake for the pics

PanCan Purple Stride

This is my friend, Pete.  He is fighting pancreatic cancer again.  He will win again.

When she's not rescuing animals, training dogs, gardening, working, reading, running, cycling, doing a kazillion other things, or helping Pete through treatment, Pete's wife (and my friend), Jenna, is my personal photographer.  She does not know this.  Sometimes all that other stuff gets in the way of being my personal photographer - so these pics are a little delayed, but much appreciated.

This was the Pancreatic Cancer Purple Stride 5k at one of my alma maters - St. Mary's University - on November 7.  It was a great run.  My slow post-marathon finish time netted me 3rd in my age group and I won a $50 gift certificate to a wine bar as a door prize.  Good haul!

Before the race:

And during the run, thinking "dang, I just ran a marathon two weeks ago"

Caught getting some post-race beverages - Jenna is like the paparazzi.

And Wally with Diesel, my dog Gwen's "twin."  

I first met these two about a year and a half ago, when I queasily crossed the zoo run finish line.  I thought "why does that guy have my dog?  why is Gwen not home where I left her? when did Gwen get so buff?  and WHEN did she, um, grow balls?"  (I HAD just tried to run 2 miles as fast as I could in San Antonio in the Summer, mind you. And, look, they are pretty similar - Gwen's the one on the left!)

See?  Anyway, next up is the Cobweb Chaser on New Year's Day.  Mercifully, gun time is 10:00 a.m.

Thanks to Jenna for the pics!  And fight, Pete, fight :)

Merry Christmas

I went for a nice little Christmas run today along the north section of the River Walk with my new toy (Garmin 405 - thanks Folks!) and new shoes (free, courtesy of American Express points).  And all was happy and bright!

Then, I played a game of fetch with the dogs - Dingo is pretty good, but Gwen always turns it into a game of keep away from Sally, then eats the tennis ball.  Merry Christmas!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Some things other than running and beer

Lest you think that I only run and drink beer with running buddies, I am posting activities other than those aforementioned.  Here are some pictures from October's book club (a/k/a Book & Bottle Club, a/k/a JUGBABES‏).

Yep, we read books and talk about them.  "We" being many runners, cyclists, and triathletes.  "Talk" meaning talk over a glass or two of wine.  Definitely different than running and drinking brewskis.

Wow, as you can see here - I had recently dyed my hair (I absolutely admit that) - yet, in the previous post in Mexico (about 6 weeks later), it had already lightened a LOT from sun exposure through running.  I think this shows that I need to be more diligent about sunscreen usage because solar exposure here, even in the Fall, is strong.

Thanks to Jenna for the pics!

The Crazy Running Chicken Training Plan

(or more pics from the International Friendship 10k Run in McAllen, TX on November 22, 2009)

Okay, first you drive just over 4.5 hours to the border - and cross it into Mexico.

Jenna, the Mexican Eagle, and me

Joan and I on the bridge

Then, you meet up with more buddies along the streets of Nuevo Progresso and enjoy a cerveza.

My classic rabbit-squint.  Before me on the table are a "Court Case" prayer candle, limes, salt, and Dos Equis.  All of which I could have used when I litigated and practiced family law.

And then, you wake up and run a 10k in a heavy fog among the tall palms.

In fine crazy running chicken form!

Thanks to Jenna for the pics - she actually drove and ran alongside to take the action ones (but not the beer drinking ones).