We all have days where things go from good, to bad, to worse. Yesterday was one of those days….
In the morning, we had a wonderful pancake breakfast. After a quick clean up, Duncan was eager to try out a new-to-him bike he had been gifted from our neighbours. Everyone saddled up, save Piko and I, as we opted to run alongside instead. After setting out, it was clear Duncan’s new bike gave him the speed he had so desperately sought all summer long. Derek and Pierce took the shorter neighbourhood routes to spare Pierce’s legs the elevation changes, whereas Piko and I found ourselves in the midst of an unexpected tempo run. Nothing like having a 5 year old as a “bike pacer”, and listening to him shout “Run faster Mom, you’re SO slow”. Piko and I managed 5.5K, with Duncan easily overtaking us in the the final 500 metres.
In the afternoon, I decided to head out with Piko and get my LSD on the books. A couple of kilometres into my run, I got a weird stitch under my ribs, and it spread to my abdomen. Normally I can do breathing modifications, but this time I ended up doubled over on the roadside. Pinching, pulling, breathing changes – nothing helped. I walked for .5K, then turned around to head home while slowly adding speed.
After we hit our initial pace, Piko’s leash buckle snapped and broke. Seconds later, a car went flying past. Piko’s instinct is to chase, and since he’s no longer connected to me, I can’t tap the signal for “no” via his leash, nor can I call him back due to his deafness. Piko realizes after darting something is wrong, and slows to look at me. I sign “STOP”, and drop to my knees – Piko comes running back. Never have I been so thankful Piko strives to please me, and truly understands his commands. At the same time, I realize my heart is a mess, forget about the stitch pain. I rework the leash by threading through the handle, putting it back on my waist, and decide we need to boot it home.
Finally, as we round the corner to our street, I see a black figure moving out my right eye. Just as I slow to turn and assess, Piko and I are plowed to the ground by a Lab mix. It was clear the newest four legged addition to our neighbourhood had escaped his outdoor kennel, and wanted to play. Said doggie refused to return to his owner who’s calling repeatedly, so I end up dragging him. I’m covered in mud from landing in a puddle, I’m trying to wrestle one doggie to his owner, and I am trying to keep mine under control on a broken leash.
Sometimes, I think we all need to have the worse.run.ever – if only to appreciate just how wonderful all our other runs have been…
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