My Dog's First Race: Woofstock 3k (August 26, 2012)

Earlier in August, Craig and I got a dog.  Her name is Lyla.  She's a little over a year old.  A pit & lab mix.  She's high energy and so far, looks to be a good running dog. 

I have taken her out a running a few times and she seems to do mostly okay running.  I think she can run a lot more but I want to build her up properly. 

On August 26, 2012, there was a dog event in Rocklin called Woofstock.  A big event full of booths/tents of dog things.  One of the activities during this event was the Grateful Dog 3k Walk/Run.  So, we took Lyla out there to participate in her first running event. 

The Race

At the start of the race, Lyla is super excited to see so many other dogs around.  It is a little tricky getting her to stay still as she wants to drag me out to greet all the dogs.  But, I try to hold her still at the starting area.  I move our way towards the front of the group as I know she'll really want to run. 

They count down to the start. 3, 2, 1, GO!  A little boy goes running out in front leading the race and we shortly follow.  Lyla immediately goes into a sprint and I have to hold firm on her leash as we sprint out in front of  the crowds. 

As we go, another runner with a dog gets near us and Lyla starts to pull towards the other dog.  The other dog owner falls back a little to give our dogs some space.  The other runner comments on what an interesting stride our dog has and says he believes our dog can run 10 miles without losing any energy. 

We eventually separate from the other dog and runner.  Lyla gets back to running straight and she is focused on the boy ahead of us. 

Since we are in the lead and the little boy looks so excited to be in front, I try to let the boy stay ahead and hold firm on Lyla's leash to not have her pass the little boy.  Lyla is pulling hard as she is running, really wanting to catch the little boy.  The boy hears us getting closer and I see him start to run harder.  I really have to hold Lyla back. 

Unfortunately, the boy runs out of steam and starts to slow down and we pass the boy.  Lyla runs around the loop. 

The course is two loops so we begin the second loop.  The second loop is tricky as people are still walking their dogs in the first loop.  We have to pass these walkers and dogs.  Lyla goes flying past them.  I do my best to stay with her and steer her to pass on the left side.  At one point, she darts in between a couple to my right and the leash wraps around this man's body and I am pulled right into him.  After untangling myself, I apologize as Lyla continues to run the race. 

We get near the finish and we come off the dirt path and hit the paved path. I trip and fall, scraping my knee.  I let go of the leash during my fall and am surprised to see Lyla stop running.  She turns and walks over to me as I pick myself back up.  I am glad she didn't run away. 

We then start running together again and finish the race.  She finishes first!   And, still full of energy to run a whole lot more! 

Not too bad of a first running event.  Hopefully, we can find more in the future to do together!  Ihope to build her up to start running a lot longer distances too!  :)

Trail Running Run with Diane...Run the Sly (August 19, 2012)

Trail Running Fun With Diane!  

Run on the Sly (August 19, 2012)



A year ago, I ran Run on the Sly 20 Mile Run.  It my first taste of true trail running.  I unknowingly knew what I was getting myself into.  I thought it would be a good training run for the marathon I had coming up.  Next thing I knew, I was in the middle of the race, hiking up hills, running out of water, not sure what I had gotten myself into.  But then, I arrived at an aid station with a table full of food and beverages (including soda!).  The volunteer filled up my water bottles.  This was different but I kind of liked it.  If ultra-marathons are like this, I think I want to try them out is what I thought at the time.

Since then, I have gotten more into trail running and have finished two 50k's.  And this time, I knew what I was going to get myself into.  But, this time, I convinced my friend Diane to do the 20 miler.  I also promised that I would stay with her the whole time.  She does not feel the most comfortable on the trails.

We ran the race together and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. The course had some good hills but I remember them being a lot tougher last year than they were today but I think it also helped having a friend to chat with as we hiked up some of the hills.  I have gotten better with my descents so that was fun.  Diane took the descents a little more carefully.

Running by the lake was nice and fun.  I had fun watching Diane try to navigate over rocks over the creek.  I just splashed through the water.

All day, we kept leap frogging another runner...a shirtless male runner from the Bay Area.  He was a friendly energetic fellow out running his longest run ever.  He talked to Diane and I about how he's training for a marathon.  Every time he went by us, he was very cheery and encouraging.  Fun making friends out on the course.

I had seen a few other friends out there running the 50k.  When I saw them, I had kind of wished I had done the 50k too but in the end, I was glad to have spend the day with Diane out on some lovely trails.  I did not run as fast as I had the year prior but I think I had a lot more fun!  Love being out on the trails!