Recovery Partner - Running with Harper the Dog

It is quite a coincidence that this month's issue of Runners World features running with your dog. 3 weeks ago my wife and I rescued a hound mix aka a mutt. I am not the biggest dog person, but Harper and I are really starting to hit it off. Our roles with each-other I believe are going to evolve over time, but I have started off as her walking trainer. I hope to soon be picking the pace up as she gets older and start to heal. She will be a great addition to the runningetc crew and I how you will all meet her.

Leaf Peepers training:
Monday - run
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday- run (Kitty Hoynes)
Thursday - run
Friday - rest
Long run Saturday or Sunday with a nice walk on the other day (I have been taking Harper to Green Lakes each weekend, and it has been great, let's do it guys)

If you need any help getting motivated, let me and Harper know.

Inspiration; the Competitors Fuel - Syracuse 70

As the first Syracuse 70.3 triathlon goes through our city this weekend, there are so many people out there that can inspire us. Men and women of all shapes and sizes went out there today for as many reasons as there are competitors. Whether it was to finish and say "I did it" to the veterans of the distance shooting for a personal best, the swarm of humans swimming, biking and running for 70.3km through our streets are so inspiring.

Let's get at it this week PEEPERS.
Monday - run
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday- run
Thursday - run
Friday - rest
Long run Saturday or Sunday with a nice walk on the other day.

PT's Healing - Go Leaf Peeper Training

This morning's long run through the pages of Runners World is a little different. With a full week of physical therapy in the bank and the continued following of my therapist's exercises to recovery, the words are jumping off the page and and into my Nikes.

I physically, feel more alive than I have in a long time. Reflecting back to earlier this week, while "on the table", being lightly worked out, I return to the standing positioned and when asked "do your feel any different?" I pause and think for a moment that there is nothing different, then a burst of energy courses through my body. It's the blood flowing warmly to the injured parts of my body. This is invigorating and almost euphoric.

I can run a marathon right now I think to myself, until the follow up question comes with the expected answer, "it doesn't hurt except when you lift your leg like this, right?" Of course she was right, but this new feeling of movement without movement has invigorated my efforts and mental state to a point of extreme optimism. We are getting closer every day to trying out the workouts in the magazine or at least getting out there with the run club. Closer and closer to enjoying time in nature with full awareness of the body and mind experience healing the physical and mental trash that potentially creeps up into every day situations.

Leaf Peeper runners. Get out there, and run this week. I want to hear about your great runs, your horrible runs, and what they feel like. If you are feeling good, throw some hills. Think about a nice place for the long run this weekend. It was great to get together at Green Lakes this week.

Let's Get Running this Week (Leaf Peepers)

Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.

Hal Higdon

Alright guys. Let's shoot for a strong 20 mile week. Walking or running will work. On Saturday or Sunday, get a long run in around 8 miles.

Doctor Appointment Today

Reading this quote of the day from Runners World:
"The great advantage of our sport over all others is that we don't need a ball or a team or a field, or even, according to some, shoes. We just need to stand someplace, imagine ourselves in the center of a circle, pick one out of the 360 degrees available to us, and head thataway. "
Peter Sagal, a 3:20 marathoner and the host of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!

I was compelled to writer something / anything, and this is what came out:

I am very excited to goto the doctor today. I get to have someone that is qualified and professional guide me to the most effective recovery. My relationships with doctors have been very spotty over the years, except my Dentist, but I go into every encounter with optimism and pure respect.

Most of us are professionals in one way or another, and respecting and accepting those in other professions other than are own is very important.

Some time today, give your IT Guy an "ata boy," he needs it. Thank them for keeping email running or recovering your lost file or just walking by your desk, make them smile. This weekend if you get pulled over for speeding, embrace the job the law enforcement officer is doing and give him or her the respcet that you would give your Dr., your boss, your co-worker. They are doing their job, the same as you do every day.

On a side note, if you get a chance to run, drop me a note, I'd love to hear about your route, your breathing, your nutrition.