A Dog's Life

I was thinking that I did not want a dog but my seven year old kept asking for one. After much consideration decided to find one for her as she is deserving of that, being so loving with animals in that way. I did not want to get one because I knew I would be the one walking it in the morning and evening as I get up early and go to bed late! Of course that is what is happening but I now realize how much I enjoy doing that part of it- and how it gives me a few minutes of time to slow down and and opportunity to familiarize myself to this recently new neighborhood and other dog walkers as well. It also brought back memories that I get in my running, noticing temperature changes, feeling the air in my ears, listening to all kinds of sounds as I run. I don't wear headphones so there is so much to take in on a run. People sneezing, music playing, people arguing and everything else around alive in everyday life. Meditation in action- one of the things that I was so attracted to in yoga practice that I attended to years ago. Walking the dog gives me the same thing, a chance to slows down. The dog also shares daily ride to work in the mornings with me an our commute over the Bay Bridge and a radio that recently in the car that is not working. Now that silence is a challenge, but since it is only about 30 minutes each way- it's bearable. And I listen to Pandora all day long at work. When we arrive to work, she runs to the doors of our Showroom making a beeline for her bed, only to rest all day long. It's a dog life, and a good one at that.
I know that there will be a new group of runners that will be training for the Oakland Marathon that returns to Oakland in the coming months. I wish them all well on their journey of training and commitment that they will adhere to. It doesn't matter if you do not stick to the schedule every week in following the mileage chart. You do what you can (like life) and as long as you have it in your head "I can do this" that will bring you to the finish line. I know for me it was that mental game that was able to get me through the most difficult part for me- the final six miles. But I also know that I was flirting with going out too fast and trying to maintain that pace through the run added tremendous pressures in reaching my 3:30 goal. If that is not the case for those running, it will make the run a much more enjoyable experience.
Hard to believe I have been running for almost 40 years now. When I was in my teens, I would step up to the starting line thinking I was tired (nerves) and wondering if I could do it. Now I step up saying I can do this- a shift of the mind that comes to mastery of anything. I wish I could have been in that place in my younger years, and the negative thoughts that pollute the spirit of it all in those thoughts but that is that path of experience that one must walk- strike that- run.
I have been running about 3 days a week now- running sprints of various distances around Lake Merritt that I use as my track. Running 90% on 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200 meters with little recovery and the final 80 steps and 1 block uphill to my home. Feeling strong and sometimes so sore in different places. This week my ankle? I will probably add a 5k race to change it up.
The marathon has given me such a strength to my legs this year that I did not have prior to the marathon training and that was from 10 months ago. I still feel that strength in my legs when I do the ladder workouts- they don't get tired.
I have fighting a cold this past week and was determined to run regardless, but after running a few blocks I turned around- I had nothing. But I don't beat myself up about it as most times I feel it, I just keep going knowing that I will get through it.
Good luck to those who are running their first Marathon! For those who continue to run marathon after marathon- my hat is off to you.