Furnace 5k

This morning the usual 5k run on Darley Park. I usually do this with the elder of our two dogs but had intended to do it with the younger one this year in my attempt to reclaim our title of first dog across the line. We were unfairly beaten last year by a Smurf and his husky. When I say unfairly, I mean they were faster than us, which is very unfair.

As it turns out I run with both, as L isn’t keen to ruin her run by being attached to a dog, which is understandable. This has actually been my plan for the last two years but in both years its been too icy to have so much dog power at my fingertips. This year that’s not an issue as the weather is practically tropical.

My concerns about too much dog power appear justified when at the start the elder dog’s wheels are spinning, his paws digging a channel in the soft earth, as I try to prevent us false starting. Meanwhile the other one is spinning in circles trying to escape his lead. Total chaos. Which only gets worse when some idiot yells ‘go’ and the rest of the 150 or so runners head off onto the course. I try to hold the boys back for as long as I can. Impossible. So we rocket after the main field, achieving 0 to 60 in about two seconds.

Once we’re up to speed and heading in something approaching a straight line, things calm down a touch. The elder dog takes control and leads us for the first 2k, then when he tires our younger model seamlessly takes over.

My father is waiting on the bridge, I don’t see him but the dogs do and the elder one slams his anchors on. It’s difficult to get him moving again after that, particularly as the course now takes us on a loop away from the finish but we get round. Then when we turn for home he's interested again and we power across the line. We come in a credible 51st but more importantly we are first dog or dogs home.

L Time: 00:28:38

Races: 45
Miles: 324.5
T-shirts: 24
T-shirts/Nighties: 1
Medals: 15
Bags Of Crisps: 4
Chocolate Bars: 5
Toothpaste: 3
Redbush: 3
Bags: 3
Glow Sticks: 1
Mugs: 1
Plates: 1
Paperweights: 1
Bandanas: 1
Drinks Bottles: 1
Sticks Of Rock: 1
Rosettes: 1
Dog Biscuits: 2
Christmas Puddings: 1
Antlers: 1