Training A New Runner

I am not the only dog that has been running along our dirt road these days. Gladys turned one earlier this month, and she has been slowly ramping up her mileage. Usually you wait till a dog turns one before running with them, and Mark and Ali were true to that. Sure, they took her for a mile a few times before she hit the 365-day marker, but now she has been jogging right alongside me.

Let's get something straight. A dog doesn't just jump into the sorts of mileage that you have been seeing on my running log. For example, on Thursday, Gladys ran her longest distance to date -- 6 miles. On the same day, we left her at home while Mark and I took off on a "big dog" run -- 11 miles. Just too much for a rookie. But don't worry, Gladys. Keep training, and someday we'll let you join the big dogs.

For now, though, sometimes you're just going to have to sit at home.

Note: on my running log, I have been inserting the letters WG (with Gladys). Any number to the right of these letters indicates her mileage for the day if it was different from mine. On a day like Thursday, her mileage is not included because we ran at separate times. What, don't like that I don't include her? Well, then, she can get her own running log on her own blog. Sheesh!

Dear Oscar, Did you do anything special for New Year's? -- Father Time

Dear Timey,

Gladys and I escorted in the New Year in fine style -- with a New Year's Eve adventure!

Well, let's back up a minute. My New Year's Eve didn't start with fireworks: Mark and Ali walked down the street to a party... and didn't bring me! Can you imagine? What did they think I'd do -- jump on people? Eat all the party snacks? Drink all the beer? Well, of course I would have done all that, but what's a party without a little excitement and revelry?

Anyway, after that party, their walk continued back to the next door neighbor Sarah's, where there was a small New Year's Eve bonfire. Apparently, Mark felt bad (as he should have) and walked through the woods to get us.

It...was...awesome. There were like three or four other dogs there, so we played and romped. Someone also left some hot dogs by the fire and I almost got them before Mark intervened. After the hot dog incident, I decided to really ramp up the party. I wandered a little way into the woods before catching a scent... and off I went.

I always enjoy running in the woods. I barked and ran this way and that. I heard Mark and Ali calling for me, but when Lyle (golden retriever-slash-husky) and Gladys showed up, I got even more excited! I led them on an adventure that covered I don't know how many miles!

As always, I returned shortly thereafter -- 20 or 30 minutes -- or should I say, I encountered Sarah on the road who was looking for us 20 or 30 minutes later. She got me by the collar and returned me to Alison, who was also on the road. Funny thing I noticed: they only grabbed onto me. Lyle and Gladys got to continue running free. They're nothing but a bunch of followers anyway.

Still, it was an unbelievable New Year's. The next day, Gladys and I laid around all day. We didn't even follow Ali around the house. Hard partying like what we did requires serious recovery.

Happy New Year everyone! Oscar