First race of the year: Done.

First podium of the year: Check

First race with the love of my life: Yup

Saturday morning, I geared up for the most anticipated race of the year (yep, most anticipated race is over and done with in January).  Ironmen are boring.  Marathons suck.  And duathlons, just too much running.  So what was I getting ready for? Brennan’s very first race.  Much like his mother’s, his training has been spotty the last few months.  But unlike his mother, he has an intensely high pain threshold and a natural tenacity, necessary to survive being chained to a tree for the first 8 mos. of your life and getting dumped on the side of a rural road with ears full of ticks.

I had been waiting for this race since its creation and first running last year (I missed it). Brennan and I have been talking about it.  Dreaming about it: Augusta’s Doggone Cold 5K to benefit the Hopeful Hounds Rescue.

So Saturday we woke up to mud and rain.  And 2 miles of the race were on a dirt road.  And I knew they would be a mud pit.  But I went out with the Bubs, so excited to be spending my Saturday doing something I love with someone I love (this must be what normal humans feel when racing with significant others…it’s a shame I’m not normal).  Before the gun went off, I was already soaked and knew that I (by myself) could run a sub 22min 5K.  But I had no idea what what Brennan could do.  So, I let him dictate the pace.  The gun went off…and so did we.

Mile 1: sub 7min…easy peasy, happy puppy.

Mile 2: pooping and puppy is getting tired, he forces a brief walk break (I welcome it).

Mile 3: we pick it back up and run on into the finish, passing all the people that passed us in mile 2.

You know all those sad maudlin posts I’ve been posting?  Well, this ain’t one of ‘em folks…because let me tell you, this was the most fun and happiest I’ve been in a year.  Even now, days later, my soul smiles thinking about how much fun I had.  I guess it really is amazing getting to enjoy a happy fun day with the one you love.  It’s a shame dogs aren’t allowed in a lot of other places. I have a feeling that I would be a lot happier if Brennan was omnipresent in my day to day dealings.

Lessons learned about running with pups? Have no real plans; you are not in control of this race.  Make sure the pup poops before the race.  Keep close to another dog ahead…it will encourage the desire to sniff that dog’s butt, thus increasing your dog’s speed.

Stats (ok, 5K race reports are weirdly hard to write…):

  • Time: 22:53
  • Splits: 6:55/7:55 (pooping)/7:14/?
  • B’s placing: 2nd dog w/ female, 4th OA dog
  • My placing: 6/201 females, 2nd AG

Upcoming (for me)…A return to Miami, the Miami half marathon, and Leanne! YAY!

Next up for Brenny: Atlanta Dog Jog 2-miler in May.