Well...a climactic end to Week 4 - I can honestly say that has never happened before.
It pretty much only snowed my first few days here. On Wednesday, I ran 4 miles in 40 minutes on a snow-covered, slippery road. Thursday was a rest day. I took Riley for a long walk on Friday - it was a snow-slush mix, depending on which road I was walking. And then, today.
I planned a 6 mile route - which happens to be most of my old school bus route - and headed out. At 11:30 am, it was already 51 degrees - a December heat wave! Most of the snow had melted and the roads were mostly bare. Once I got into the back woods, in the shade, it was a little colder and the roads were still covered. It was a pleasant, relaxed run until mile 3.5.
I first noticed the dog running through the snow, heading for the road - and right to where my legs were taking me. I was in denial - every dog I've ever run past in Florida has been contained by a fence. And then denial turned into run-for-my-life fear.
It pretty much only snowed my first few days here. On Wednesday, I ran 4 miles in 40 minutes on a snow-covered, slippery road. Thursday was a rest day. I took Riley for a long walk on Friday - it was a snow-slush mix, depending on which road I was walking. And then, today.
I planned a 6 mile route - which happens to be most of my old school bus route - and headed out. At 11:30 am, it was already 51 degrees - a December heat wave! Most of the snow had melted and the roads were mostly bare. Once I got into the back woods, in the shade, it was a little colder and the roads were still covered. It was a pleasant, relaxed run until mile 3.5.
I first noticed the dog running through the snow, heading for the road - and right to where my legs were taking me. I was in denial - every dog I've ever run past in Florida has been contained by a fence. And then denial turned into run-for-my-life fear.
I am an animal person - I dog-sit pitbulls (and chihuahuas and dachshunds) all the time - I'm comfortable around dogs. But...I was bit by a German Shepherd when I was 10, and I've had an unreasonable fear of German Shepherds since, and though this was not a German Shepherd and I understand the desire for dogs to chase things, it was inches away from biting my ass. And I like my ass just how it is - I also like my legs - I kind of need them for this marathon.
So...it's lunging at me with both front paws, opening and snapping shut its mouth as its snout lunged at me - I am really not exaggerating. I was scared, filled with adrenaline. It was at least 80 pounds - I looked up dog breeds later and it was a Bull Mastiff. I saw no owners in sight. I was trying to run away and fend it off with my feet - I really had nothing else to defend myself. I always make fun of the teen in horror movies that keeps looking at the killer over their shoulder while stumbling and trying to run away. I get it now - I couldn't help but look back - it was instinct.
To those that say, "I only run when I'm being chased" - I say to you - if I had not been training all these months (with nothing chasing me), I would not have been able to outrun this dog. To which, they would say, if you weren't running in the first place, you wouldn't have had to outrun the dog. Touche!
In any case, I was not bit - and I completed my workouts for Week 4.
So...it's lunging at me with both front paws, opening and snapping shut its mouth as its snout lunged at me - I am really not exaggerating. I was scared, filled with adrenaline. It was at least 80 pounds - I looked up dog breeds later and it was a Bull Mastiff. I saw no owners in sight. I was trying to run away and fend it off with my feet - I really had nothing else to defend myself. I always make fun of the teen in horror movies that keeps looking at the killer over their shoulder while stumbling and trying to run away. I get it now - I couldn't help but look back - it was instinct.
To those that say, "I only run when I'm being chased" - I say to you - if I had not been training all these months (with nothing chasing me), I would not have been able to outrun this dog. To which, they would say, if you weren't running in the first place, you wouldn't have had to outrun the dog. Touche!
In any case, I was not bit - and I completed my workouts for Week 4.
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