Attacked by a dog....

I've been very nervous about week 5. It's a lot more running than I'm used to, and have just been a bit anxious. I knew day 1 wouldn't be horrible, but day 2 and 3 still have me a bit anxious.

Today when I woke up it was such a gorgeous morning out I debated whether to go run outside. (90% of my workouts are on my treadmill) I know it's a bit harder outside, but also kept telling myself that I need to get some outdoor time if I'm going to run in Albion in a couple weeks. It rained last night so the roads were going to be a muddy mess. Bennett wanted me to go into coffee with him and Shawn, so I decided I'd ride along, they could go to coffee and play cards and I would hit the highway.

We get to town, I get myself and my ipod all situated. (a bit disappointed I forgot my Nike+ receiver) I had downloaded a Couch-to-5k song list with verbal cues for the run/walk intervals that had pretty good music so I knew that would help. I hit the road for my 5 minute warm-up, did a little stretch on the side of the road, then off I went.

HOLY CRAP! The first 90 seconds I thought my knees might explode from the pounding on the pavement, but it got much better and I finished my first 5 minute jog winded, but feeling good. I walked 3 minutes, then off to the next jog of 5 minutes. About half-way through (headed uphill no less) I was to Dave and Gayle's house. I jog past thinking I'd make it to Al and Angie's driveway, turn around and head back to town. I was lost in my thoughts when out of nowhere this gigantic beast comes running from behind me and begins to lick my legs, my arms, my shirt, etc. This dog, while skinnier than all get out, it quite tall. His head easily came up to my boobs! I had his dirty snot all over my shirt, shorts, shoes, arms, and legs. While not about to harm me in anyway, he still was quite annoying. I yelled for him to go away, go home, etc. No luck. Damn dog kept running circles around me, tripping me and I could barely take a step, let alone try to jog. Of course, here comes a van (mind you, I'm on the left side of the road), coming in the lane that this beast and I are having a talk about how he's stupid and really should leave me the Hell alone, and the driver starts yelling at me to get off the highway with my stupid dog. AND to run on the right side of damn road. SERIOUSLY??? I gave up trying to move any further in the direction I was headed. I had a brilliant idea to just go ahead and turn around in hopes the dog wouldn't venture too far away from home. Did I mention the dog was wearing a shock collar, so I had hoped there was an underground fence that just didn't seem to be working much, but still hoped it would keep him close to home. SO, off we go, back toward Primrose. Needless to say, my 2nd 5 minute run really turned into nearly 10 minutes total (some running, and some trying to get away from the slobbering beast). Did the damn dog stay home?? Oh no, why would he do that? The good news is, he got into rhythm with me and enjoyed his trot while I was running. When I walked, he took to venturing into the ditches sniffing out God knows what.

We made it to town with no problems. He wandered off a bit. When I went to the door at the Pub to find Shawn and Bennett, the dog came at me full barrel like he was going to run through the door. I narrowly escaped his tackle and made it inside with no further slobbering episodes. When we left, I made Shawn drive out to clock how far I'd gone, thinking I hadn't done much more than 1.5 miles and since I had left my Nike+ receiver home. Surprisingly, the damn dog went home on his own and I went a total of 2.2 miles. Some of that was uphill and some was fighting off a stupid dog. Even with the dog episode, it was still right at 30 minutes. I'm pretty excited about the fact that I kept up with my same pace even being outside!

Hopefully tomorrow morning is nice and I can head out for another jog on the highway. (Even though I'm terrified of running 8 solid minutes at once.....yeah I know, this from someone who thinks she wants to run a half-marathon!) I think I'll head the opposite direction from town tomorrow though.