Several years ago when I started exercising, I would work out on an elliptical and 'run' on a treadmill. At some point, I figured my running on the treadmill meant I could easily run outside. There was a dog jog my sister wanted to do and since she had two dogs, she needed a partner. This must have been 5 or 6 years ago, I can't really remember but I don't think I had either of my dogs at this time which is why I agreed to do it and take one of hers.
If I remember correctly, it was supposed to be a 5K trail run. It didn't go well! We started out and I tried jogging. It was going OK, but we were probably only a quarter mile or so into it when we thought we heard someone crying. We look back and there is a little girl with her white dog. We stop and have her catch up with us. I guess her parents just let her loose on this course but when the run started, all the runners just took off and this little girl had no idea where to go. So, we ended up having to walk the first loop with this little girl, she didn't want to jog and was very upset the whole time. It was a two loop course, so once finished the first loop, she ran off with her parents.
Since the first loop took so long, I figured we'd just stop, but my sister wanted to at least get in 3 miles, one way or another. So, I agree and we start jogging the second loop. I couldn't do it, I kept having to walk. It was a bit of a mental blow to me because at this point, I think I thought I was in shape and thought I could run. By the time we finished, the whole event was pretty much wrapped up. For exercise, I went back to the treadmill and didn't really try running outside much more after that...until last year.
While looking through old pictures, I found this picture of us during this dog jog. I had pretty much forgotten all about it!
That poor little girl! I tried to take my former housemate's dog to a similar event a few years ago and he freaked out. He had never been socialized around other dogs, so he just whined and whined. I never even made it to the start line with him.
ReplyDeleteNice job on your last run, by the way!
That's a fun running memory. And cool to have running inspiration from other family members. I am the only one in my family who runs, and it's hard sometimes because they just don't undestand it. At all.
ReplyDeleteWas that your first race? What a ridiculus experience.. At least it was memorable!
ReplyDeleteOh that poor girl! That's certainly a memorable race!
ReplyDeleteOy vey - that is not a good first race memory!! I am glad you kept at it, though!
ReplyDeleteMy first race actually wasn't that fantastic, either. I did a 5k Breast Cancer run back in May of 2005. I trained for it and was all ready. The night before, my good friend & her husband invited me over for dinner. Her husband kept re-filling my wine glass so I had no idea how much I was drinking. I went home, passed out, and was probably still intoxicated when i ran the race the next morning. I was sick as a dog after the race. But we still laugh over it and it's a funny first race memory. now whenever I have a big race coming up, my friend's husband teases me & asks if I want to come over for dinner the night before so it's sort of becoming a running joke!
My first race was a half-marathon. I ran it with a friend and had such a great experience. The support of fellow runners can make such a difference in getting across the finish line.
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