Running Partner.

I never go on runs with other runners. It's not that I'm opposed to that idea, in fact it would be nice to have someone along to motivate me and to have a conversation with. I think it would pass the time and miles nicely. Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks of small town living is no organized running group here. Also, I've never really asked anyone to go along with me as my running schedule is kinda hoakey. I usually run when it's convenient for me, and sometimes it's very last minute and at spontaneous times. I do have one running partner, however, that is always waiting in the wings for me lace up my running shoes...Abbie.

Abbie is our family dog. She is a full breed Brittany and was born in October 2010. She loves to run!

I take her along when I'm running 6 miles or less. I know she could go lots farther, but I get too tired handling the leash at more than a 10K distance. I can't use natural arm form when I'm holding her leash and she tends to always keep resistance where I'm holding her back the whole way. She does pretty good overall though. She has learned to stay to the side of the road and she knows my commands for turning and slowing up. She is a bird dog however and several times each run her instincts take over and she will try to go after yard birds or squirrels. We also encounter lots of other dogs on our runs, and usually she will do pretty good with the occasional slow down or stop to sniff.

Abbie gets truly heartbroken when I head out to run without her. She does this super pitiful whiny bark slash crying yelp. I feel bad, but she just has too much energy for me on my long runs. She spends the first half mile of each run tugging hard against the leash to go faster...which is usually why my first split time is one of the best ones. Then as the excitement wears off she will settle into a nice pace out in front of me, but she always maintains some resistance in that leash. Usually if I run without her I will take her out for a cool down walk when I get back to smooth things over with her. We have covered a lot of miles together, and she really is a good running partner.