(Bay News 9 photo)
was a welcome relief from the earlier heat of the day and gave me an idea. My runner dog, Kismet, might enjoy this cool weather and be the perfect running companion:)
I suited up with slight hesitation--decisions, decisions--what running shoes do I want to trash knowing Kis likes to run in the grass and it is super wet out;) Kis saw me getting dressed and started to get excited. She likes to weave in between your legs and rub up against you and block your path as you prep up.
I believe she always wants to go with me thanks to this pitiful guilt face she makes but the high temps and longer distances as of late are not the right mix. However, she was in for a treat tonight!When I grabbed her collar she started barking and jumping--this was it--she knew she was going for an adventure! I also grabbed some treats to keep her motivated on the return trip. Yes, Kismet is spoiled but they all are in ways to match their unique personalities.
Kis loves to run and has one speed-fast! She knows the path and takes off full throttle. We have a park near our home a little over a mile down the road. There is water, shade and freedom for her to open up and let loose. It is a beautiful sight:) The problem is she does not know how to pace herself. I try to pace her but it is easier to give in and call it a Fartlek session. This word still causes me to snicker, which according to elite runners distinguishes the serious athletes from weekend warriors (like me). Per wiki: Fartlek means "speed play" in Swedish and “is simply defined as periods of fast running intermixed with periods of slower running."Regardless, once Kismet burns it out on our sprint to the park, she needs a little encouragement on the road home, hence the bag of treats.
This run was pure joy from the start! I left my watch and headphones behind and we shot out the door. Kismet knew the night was ours and put her paws to the pavement. The trip to the park was a blur with me pretending to stop her for her own good but really an excuse for me to suck air. WOW--it's been awhile since I have run full speed! Kis was smiling ear to ear with her tongue hanging out and nudging me to start the speedy roller coaster ride again. Hang on, I thought, here we go. I had to mentally remind myself, it is only a mile and surely I can gut it out. I can rest on the walk/jog home.
We made it to the park and I set Kis free. She took off into the wide open park and I took off in the opposite direction. The benefit of a herding dog--they like to chase (bonus-running for no reason;) She heard my feet rustling the leaves on the other side of the trail and she was on my heels in seconds. No sneaking away from Flash. We then jogged along the trail which allowed me to catch my breath and her to investigate the bushes that run along the tennis courts, the holes created by gopher turtles and send squirrels scampering for the trees.The sun was long gone and any remaining light was starting to fade. I let Kis have a nice long drink and rest while I inhaled the cimmerian air. Running is an equalizer for me whether I want to do it or not. I need the physical release. Running (and boxing) allows me to push out excess energy and balance my body and spirit. The same holds true for Kismet--she needs the liberation as much as me. She is my sole sister.
The lethargy in my body was gone and my mood lifted. Kismet was up and ready for the journey home. Surprisingly, she wanted to run and kept up a jogging pace much more my style. We ran along the grass in a state of bliss barely stopping for her typical treats. On the final road home, the moonlight shimmered on the street and had me drifting into a zen-like state. We were two shadowy beings, the rhythmic sound of our feet/paws and I felt like we were the only two alive when BAM--a cat ran across the road. Kis had the leash fully extended in chase and I was skating across a neighbor's lawn.
Back to reality but the dream was real and set my soul at peace:)
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