« Not Quite Normalcy | Main | Please Note: »
March 6, 2007
Monday Adventuring
On Monday, I ran around Victor, ID, including a climb up to Mud Lake and back. Two interesting things happened on this run:
1. At the start of the climb to Mud Lake, where development ends and wilderness begins, a nice house sits rather innocently. However, a not-so-innocent dog lives at this house, and I do believe that this dog was placed upon this earth specifically to terrorize those who want to climb to Mud Lake. Now, don't get me wrong, I like dogs and all. However, after a strange dog punctured my hand with its canine tooth last winter on a training run in Utah, I exercise a lot of caution with reference to the beasts. This one is a big, burly German shepard that runs out into the road barking and snarling and generally acting awful. So far, this dog hasn't made physical contact with me or my dog, but I can't help but wonder if that might happen sometime. The run to Mud Lake is superb, but running the dog gauntlet before beginning the climb up there makes it almost not worthwhile.
2. Yesterday, I ran the whole climb to Mud Lake. In the past, sections of this climb, because it's so steep, have forced me into a powerwalk. None of that yesterday, folks! I've learned that one of my strengths is being able to run a lot of tough climbs, so one of my spring training goals is to continue developing this ability. Yesterday's endeavor to Mud Lake was a step (or a few thousand steps) in the right direction.
Posted by Meghan at March 6, 2007 9:09 AM
Comments
You go, girl, run uphills!!! Run a few for me too:)
Posted by: olga at March 6, 2007 10:26 AM
I once made a comment that a particular dog had no redeeming value. Someone commented, "So you're not a dog-lover."
I responded, "Are you saying you never met a person you didn't like?"
They asked what people have to do with dogs.
I asked, "Why do I have to love ALL dogs? Just like with people, there are good people and bad. If you treat people right, it tends to bring out the best in them - but not always. Some people and dogs are just plain mean. I think of dogs the way I think of people."
Good luck with the animal stuff. You seem to have more run-ins than most of us.
I'm still reading old posts. One day I'll finish. Very good stories.
Posted by: JeffO at March 6, 2007 10:34 AM
arrgggghhhh, now that reminds me that i have to get back onto either Dog Mountain or Rooster Rock for hill repeats...arrrrgghhhhhhhh
but hey if i don't hammer the quads now it will surely spell for disaster in a race!!!
Dogs, love them. Getting bit.... i could do without also.
Posted by: tom riley at March 6, 2007 2:41 PM
Love dogs. Hate them when they come out snarling.
Love hills. Hate them when they kick my butt.
I did my hill run today and felt good after- yay!
Posted by: backofpack at March 6, 2007 7:14 PM
Work on that hill climbing strength. I always want to run uphill but I've found my speed in power hiking to be comparable to my running speed going up. I'll admit I'm a little slower when I power hike but the recovery and energy management I get seem worthwhile. I think it helps to switch muscle groups for a while as well for some recovery time while still moving forward. I typically catch back up to those who choose to run the steep hills. I'd say if you plan on running the hills in competition that you watch for power hikers you pass to see if they catch back up to you. If they do then you will need to determine if it's worth it. I know the elite runners out front do some power hiking too but they also run where I choose to PH. They also go at breakneck speeds down hill.
An old college prof of mine had an established 10 mile running route through the burbs of Bellingham WA. One week a person started walking their German Shepard at the same time as his runs in one of the neighborhoods. The dog would go nuts everytime he ran by on the opposite side of the road. One day he stopped and told the person that he really needed to work with the dog because if he got away he was going to attack someone. He had a bad feeling the next day when he was getting ready for his run. As he came around a corner he could see the man and his dog about a block ahead. As he got closer he could see the dog starting to get excited. The owner bent over and let the dog loose from his leash. When the dog charged my friend he waited until it came right up to him and he clubed it over the head with a weighted baton he carried that day which knocked the dog out cold. He realized that it was not the dogs fault but at the time he had to protect himself. He only saw the dog and the owner one other time and they turned up another street when they saw him coming.
Posted by: Eric at March 8, 2007 12:13 PM