On our way home yesterday, we stopped to visit my neice and her husband, who are pregnant with their first baby. She's in labor today and I'm so excited for them!

This is the biggest reason why I decided to get back into training and actually put in the work this spring - racing is fun! Especially racing with our dogs! This morning's Dash for Dogs 5k did not disappoint. We got to visit with our friends, meet lots of other dogs, and run along a beautiful trail that followed the river on a gorgeous day. What more could you ask for? Buffy & I paced it as well as we could and ran 99% of it.

We stopped & got off the trail in order to take pictures without distracting Ed & George from their goal - winning Top Dog!

 I'm so proud of them. An out and back course isn't in George's wheelhouse because of all the other dogs and runners coming at him(he gets nervous), and Ed's really worked hard to increase his speed in order to sprint past his competition.

It's been a while! Our only other stop was at the turn around point for a drink, and then a quick pit stop. I was pleased, and other runners actually commented on it. Slow & steady might not actually win anything, but it'll get you there in the end, with enough energy left to pick up the pace at the end to finish fast! 

Thank you Lynda for some of these pictures & Ed for coming out on course to take pictures of our finish. Loved running with Casey & Brie again today. It's been too long! As always - thank you to Nooksack Racing for the best gear! I can't wait for the next one!!

This tree is so incredibly beautiful every spring. It's only in bloom for a few days though, so we try to make sure to enjoy every minute of it!

Honestly, it was such a pretty day, but such a dreary evening that I didn't expect to see a sunset. When we came out of the woods to take a lap around the pond, I was blown away. Wow!

One of the horse trainers that I worked with years ago explained to us that running your horse in circles would never calm it down, it would just increase their fitness. You've gotta make them think. The same is true with dogs. I can't tire George out at this point because he's getting so fit. But, when he's overexcited, I can work his brain and he'll settle down.

This evening we ran around some singletrack mountain bike trails. They're super fun with lots of twists and turns and switchbacks, and it gets really confusing. Because he's in front of me, George has to make the decisions. It's fantastic training of voice commands when I guide him, but I also let him try to figure some of it out on his own. And he did. It's so cool to watch him thinking each turn through! It didn't take long before he was panting though, and ready for a break. Mind you, we weren't moving fast because on top of all that, it's tricky footing with leaves covering over roots and rocks and branches, so I know that's not what was tiring him out.

We took the next turn out onto the straight access path so that he could relax and just run easy. He's such a good boy! Needless to say, I didn't get any pictures of the single track trail because all my focus was on staying upright and avoiding a fall. We all know how graceful I am!

Newfields Country Store makes such a good sandwich!

Tonight I drove up to Portland to get fitted for new sneakers & then took them for a test run! 

We got to meet Gus!

Fun with friends! (Thanks for the pic Greg!)

We got thoroughly drenched again, but we got the first long slow distance run of my training block done! 6 miles ✓ Buffy & I started down the trail first, and then Ed & George chased us.

They caught us right at the turn around point. They're feeling ready for next weekend's race! I was pleased with my energy level throughout. This gradual buildup, plus lifestyle changes, is making a difference!

"'Personal space'? Never heard of it." - George

Well, that was a bit more of an adventure than I planned on! I'd had it with people by this evening, so we headed for the mountain in the hopes of peace and a sunset. Chatted with a kid on the trail who felt the same way! 

We got our wish, but it was followed quickly by a wicked thunderstorm. The dogs were freaking out, so I stayed calm for their sake and came up with a plan. We just needed to dodge lightning, run like hell, and make it to the pit toilet(about 1/2 mile away) for shelter. And we did.

Needless to say we got completely drenched and have another story for that book! I texted Ike and he said I bet it was kinda cool, no matter how dangerous it was. He wasn't wrong. He knows how much his mother loves storms. I think I'll enjoy the next one from the safety of my porch though!

Ya know I can't resist a sunset...

Anyone understand the significance of this pole? Besides the fact that it's my turn around point...

I'm so happy to see their sunshiny faces!

Patrice joined us for our walk today!

Ed & George joined me & Buffy at the Dearborn Forest this afternoon. We canicrossed the loop trail and canihiked over Dumplington Hill(the height of land). It was challenging and my legs are gonna be feeling it tomorrow!

I love the mountains decals on cars, but this one took it a step further. It made me chuckle!

I couldn't wait another minute for flowers, so I stopped on the way home from work and picked up some pansies!

YES!! I've been waiting a month for that run that just feels easier, like you could keep going, but you've hit the mileage on the schedule for that day. Thanks to George's help, we just had that run! We settled into an easy pace where I could breathe and relax and enjoy it. Up until now everything has felt so damned hard, but I have been determined to push through. I've got goals!

Now mind you - the set up was there. I put a plan into place, and it worked. Obviously George does provide assistance with his slight tug on the line, so there's that. Also, yesterday's run was wicked difficult - long, hilly, and I was pushing to get to the other side of the pond in time for the sunset. So, that definitely helped to make today's flat trail feel easier. Whatever it takes. I finally feel like I'm making progress!

I had a million reasons(excuses) not to go for this run tonight - too tired, too busy, too sore, too blah, blah, blah...wicked glad I went anyway. We enjoyed another spectacular sunset! Today's scheduled run was 4 miles, so we headed to our favorite loop trail, around Tower Hill Pond. Somehow it's been 3 years since we've run it, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. Despite the challenges, it's so nice to get into a training plan for myself! 

This evening I did something I haven't dared to do - I hooked myself up to both dogs. But, I modified it for my safety. The last time I tried this, it was very painful, so this time I hooked Buffy up by her collar, which is generally frowned upon. When I hook her up in a harness beside George they think they're pulling a sled and I get dragged. I clipped to Buffy's collar because she doesn't pull against it, whereas George would choke himself. This actually worked well and we had a fun run into the sunset, which was gorgeous! 

Happy birthday George! (And your sister Ginger, too!)

If you're not underneath the camper with a roll of duct tape in the rain in a McDonald's parking lot, are you really even vacationing? 🤣

This afternoon my niece spent some time schooling her horse, Red. They're doing great working together!

Tonight we saw Max McNown play a show at the Ryman in Nashville. I'm so glad I got to share this experience with them. It was awesome!

This was my nephew's first practice since his foot injury. He was in his glory!