Saturday, February 25, 2012

Head Race and Dog Days Are Over

They say the hardest race is the one run in your head. Whoever they are...they must know what they are talking about. As I have just taken up running again after my winter hiatus, I have found the head race to be particularly bothersome. When I started out on one of my runs earlier this week, I felt as if I was moving in slow motion. More than once I looked down to see if I had somehow stepped in wet cement when I wasn't paying attention or something. I just felt like my Nikes weighed a ton! I confided in my brother that night on the phone that I had been giving myself walk breaks on 3 mile runs. Yes...breaks, plural. He told me to "suck it up and run." He said, "Michelle, you ran a half marathon; you can run 3 miles!" When I set off on my scheduled 3 miler the next day, the head race was back with a vengeance. It appeared as if it would start raining anytime, so I told myself as was taking the first step that I miiiiiight only run one mile because I didn't want to be out in the rain. Then I realized I was already backing out, and I decided that I would continue on my route until the first drops fell, then I would turn back toward home. After I finished the first mile, I told myself that I would just finish no matter what. I did finish all 3 miles, and I didn't even walk once! My brother was right! (Don't tell him.) I managed to shave 5 minutes off my time in one day! I am still pretty slow right now, but 5 minutes in one day is quite a bit.


Now, the head race is not the only thing a runner has to overcome when hitting the pavement. Small to mid-sized dogs. Oh boy. I manage to get more dogs chasing after me than most people, I believe. I once ended up with a trail of 6, yes 6, small dogs yapping after me. True fact. My younger sister taught me the key to ending the dog days! She has been my guiding light in learning the ropes of becoming a runner. (I know it seems simple...put one foot in front of the other, but there is really so much more.) When we were running together one day, I got to see her patented move in action. It's called The Stomp and Bark, and if you don't mind the risk of looking absolutely crazy, then I promise you it works. When a dog starts yapping along behind you, you just continue running at the same pace with out turning around at first. If you make it two houses away, and the dog is still there, then it's fair game. Without hesitation, you turn while taking the next step and stomp in the dog's direction while making the loudest most guttural sound physically possible. I had my first major success with this system. Now, it turned out to be a small wiener dog, but I maintain that it would work just as well with a bigger dog. You would just need to re-calibrate the stop and bark accordingly. And for the record, I am a dog person, but you've gotta do what you've gotta do when the owners aren't around to keep their dog from starting the world's worst parade behind you on your daily run.

What method do you use to beat the head race or lose the dog parade?

7 comments:

  1. thay dont follow me michelle I am team edward jk I have only ben stardled by one dog it was huge and its owner was watching it poop when it took after me I ran right at it yelling and getting ready to punch it and the dumb toothles owner if need be it is my run dog and dawg I have felt the k-9 first hand i dont have time for games run with me or or stay in your yard violence or the threat there of will be met with apathy dog eat dog no I have thumbs and can light a match bbq any one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess I should get a Team Edward shirt! haha Good one!

      Delete
  2. In all my years of running, I have NEVER had a dog chase after me! However, once in high school cross country, I was running with a few other girls, and we saw a dog being walked on a leash, and one of my friends who is terrified of dogs ran up a random driveway and jumped on someone's car... on the top of it... because she was so scared! It was hilarious. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't believe you have never been chased by a dog! I was being serious when I said I had 6 trailing behind me one day! That is crazy.

      Delete
    2. Goodness! I can't even imagine it... but I think it would be kind of funny. But nope, never happened! Now, I'm sure the next time I make it outside to run (I've been treadmilling because it's so cold and windy here still) I will find several dogs behind me... all because of this! ;)

      Delete
  3. Does having a stand off in the middle of a road with a skunk, tail flared, count toward the dog parade? Thankfully we both came out of the event unscathed, but I am ashamed to admit I was the first to quickly turn tail and run away!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sucks! You are so lucky you didn't get sprayed!!

      Delete