The week before the furry 5 K I did a few training runs earlier in the week. The dogs' leash broke a month or 2 ago so I bought a new one which is a kind I have been interested in trying for a long time. It is called the "Free Leash" as you can walk them on leash "hands free". It is an elastic buckle that snaps around your waist and has a movable attachment connected to a leash. So basically your waist is walking the dogs on leash. The leash has a stretchable bungee and a hand grab if you prefer more control. I often use the hand grab so my foot does not get tangled tripping me in the slack sometimes created between the dogs and I.
So anyhow, that is our current running setup. I got out late on the trail last Wednesday night and did not actually starting running until 9 pm. It was kind of dark in the woods but there was enough light to get me through the 20 minute section where the trail exists back out to an area lit by street lamps. At this hour my only concern was having enough illumination to see the trail and run. I did not think about what may happen in the woods at this time of day As at result, I had an unpleasant surprised that I was totally unprepared for! The following is another letter I wrote to a friend I had not talked to in many months. He had inquired how my dogs were doing.
"I made the dumb mistake of getting out to late as it was becoming dark. We started running at 9 pm which I thought was still OK as it would take 20 minutes to go through the woods trail and make it to the part lined with street lamps.
That plan was great but I forgot that the dang animals come out at that time which Katie and Jake are too curious about and like to chase if we happen to go to the dog park at that time. So I am running along (I have them on a Free Leash strapped around my waist). All of a sudden I see them dart in front of me extending the full bungee of the leash and giving it a sharp yank. It was like watching myself in a movie. Once I felt the immediate tug of the leash I saw the dogs pointing with their ears perked up and then the little bunny scurrying around. I attempted to pull them back but my 128 pound frame was no match for the adrenalin and strength behind their 65-70 pound frames. It happened very quickly but I could picture the scene happening before my eyes while my body snapped from the pull of the bungee and lunged forward. I painfully skidded on the crushed gravel trail skinning my knees and elbow. Fortunately I was wearing long running tights and a long sleeve polar fleece workout top. The durable material held and absorbed my fall without tearing. However, I pulled down my pants to find my knees a scuffed up bloody mess! I was so angry! But I got up after a short spurt of rage accompanied by pain and wanting to cry and continued to finish the run (the incident happened within the first 10 minutes leaving me 25 minutes remaining).
So that was no fun. "
2 comments:
Hello!
Just wanted to say thank you for the blog! I´m at the moment waiting for a MRI scan to find out if I have nf2 or nf1. It is really nice to learn that you´re continuing your life in spite of this disorder. Maybe I can too. So thanks!
Hey! Thanks for telling me that you appreciate my blog! It means a lot to me!
Yes. There are many frustrations at times but there is still a way to live life. As Lance Armstrong states, "If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what choice is there but to hope? We have two options medically and emotionally: give up or flight like hell."
Where there is a will, there is a way. The choice is up to you.
Good luck with your scans! Whatever the outcome, know that you are not alone. We are all here and will welcome you with open arms.
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