It was a crisp, fall morning here in Bucks County. The fall foliage has passed it’s peak but the color is still hanging on. I leash up my running partner for a trek through the neighborhood. I start off walking to warm up, pick up the pace after a quarter mile and break into a run at the half mile mark.
This guy is the single reason I don’t run fast! There are too many things to stop and pee on, after all!
The first half mile is always the hardest. It takes time to steady my breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth, deep breaths, slow it down. My heart finally settles into a rhythm, my muscles relax, it starts to feel good. Then I reach the hill. At roughly one mile into my run, the road goes straight up to the ridge overlooking the valley I live in. Half a mile of steep incline to the top. I dig deep, take shorter steps, press on. Concentrate on keeping my shoulders down, lower my arms, imagine the soundtrack to Chariots of Fire playing in my head. And then… finally… it’s over. I’m at the top! I turn, cross the road to the other side, let Jaydog lift his leg on yet another tree and fly back down the hill.
Three miles round trip, I’ve just run a 5k. This week, other WordPressers are doing the same thing! Walking, jogging, cycling and swimming all count. Join us won’t you? Blog about your 5k and tag it wwwp5k.
Meg Sorick, Author/Artist 
What a cutie! Errr, both of you.
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Aw, shucks!
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Ooohh I love your little running partner! This is such an interesting idea, I should try too! 😀
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Go for it! It’s going on all week!
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Lovely place for a run or walk. Dogs are the best exercise partners, but I used to say mine would drag me for the first half then I’d drag them the second half!
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Yeah that’s about how it goes here, too!
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Way to go! I do understand about your buddy. Sometimes I just want to leave my girl home so I can get a consistent walk but I’d feel too guilty.
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Way to go! My pooch is a terrible running partner. We both do so much better at long walks.
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It’s weird, but I think if the dog’s stride doesn’t match yours, just right, it’s actually really hard to run with them.
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your running partner is looking up to say hi!
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That, or “you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” 😉
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ha ha doggie looks so cute!
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I always find the first half a mile to be the worst. The devil on my shoulder is always tempting me to stop, just walk. But I don’t, and it’s good.
I’ll be doing my 5k at a local ParkRun this Saturday, I think hoping for a clear day, at the end of October, in England will be pushing it a bit!
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That’s awesome! I’m trying to gear up for a “turkey trot” at the end of November which is also pushing it!
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A friend is doing a turkey trot on Christmas Day – I couldn’t face a half marathon before turkey! I’m doing one in March though. Good luck with yours!
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Oh wow! I didn’t know that this 5k run was taking place – I may just have to start training! Good luck with it 🙂
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