Training Partner

I hate to admit it but my dear Girlie has felt the brunt of the changes around here. We used to walk or run at least once per day and she went everywhere with me in my old jeep. When the RA worsened and the workload increased, the runs turned to walks and they weren't everyday. When bedrest hit, the walks turned to Chad opening the door for her to pee. With a baby on the way on a law student budget, the jeep had to be sold. Poor me and poor Girlie.

Then I started walking again. The stroller and the dog seemed like too much so she would watch sadly from the upstairs window. Then I felt ready to run again...starting slowly. After reading Run Like a Mother, it was obvious that if I was going to be serious about training it was going to have to be in the morning. Early in the morning. So for the last two weeks, my alarm rings at 4:50am. I stumble down the stairs-repeating "dont think, just go" over and over again. I start the Kuerig, climb into my clothes, chug the coffee and head out the door...with my dear Girlie. She is so happy.I remember that we used to be friends, the mutt and me. Before life got so crazy and so hectic. We ran and we rode with the wind blowing. It was pretty simple. Quiet companionship. And now we have our mornings. And apparently I am accountable to her. Last Thursday was my "rest" day. At 4:50am this quiet, well mannered dog was whining bedside, jumping and licking my legs. "get up! lets do this!" she seemed to be saying. This morning I hit snooze thinking I would just take Kai with me in the jogger later today. 4:50am-there she was. Jazzed and ready to go. So I have a training partner...with a built in alarm for our training schedule. Perfect quiet companionship.Me and Girlie.