Brock Picken

After securely tying one end of his leash around my waist we headed out the front door. I felt confident about my boy-scout skills (actually, technically it was “Beavers”) and knew that the knot would hold our little 30-pound pup.

Very quickly I realized the first issue I would have to deal with. For some reason Buf always seems to be on some important mission that I am unaware of, and is always late. I envy those people who are able to run WITH their dog. Immediately we are in a full-out sprint foot-race. It hardly seems fair since he has twice as many feet. 30 seconds into our “warm-up” I’m sucking wind and he’s picking up speed. I’ve read somewhere that dogs can actually smile. I think he had an ear-to-ear grin.

I managed to slow my pace down, and eventually so did he. Suddenly I became aware of another issue. Being part-hound, the top priority for our little guy is to sniff every square inch of new ground he comes across. As someone training for long-distance, pacing is very important. What becomes very challenging is a stop-start, pull and be-pulled style run.

After getting yanked around for a bit, a third issue arose. As traffic occasionally zipped by, our startled puppy decided the best place to take shelter was underneath my legs. My run instantly became a training session for hurdles.

Oh yes, and that very secure knot that I mentioned…well I guess I passed Beavers out of sympathy. Or perhaps it’s somewhat due to the fact Buf pulls like a freight-train. I’m not even exaggerating. Last week he broke his steel lead. Snapped it clean off. I replaced it with a lead designed for a St. Bernard. So with one hand on my “securely tied knot”, I tried to maintain some type of proper running form with my free arm. Hardly efficient. Actually my free arm was really used more for balance, and to brace myself in the event of a fall.

Towards the end of what had now become a full-out adventure run, I breathed a sigh of relief as we passed the house where I am routinely chased by a vicious little Jack Russell. And for those of you laughing at me now, I’d just like to give you a visual. Picture the dog from Jim Carrey’s “The Mask”. Remember when the dog puts on the mask and has a mouth full of a gazillion teeth? Well this dog was the stunt double in that movie.

As we approached the final hill, I discovered the enjoyment of running with a mini freight-train. I had the most effortless run up a hill that normally challenges me. Although it was quite humbling as Buf occasionally turned to look back at me, as if to say “what, are you tired?”

When we got home, I found a small element of satisfaction when Buf gulped down an entire bucket of water. That satisfaction quickly dissipated when I realized his slight fatigue was from dragging my butt up that final hill.

I shall summarize my experience with a list of things to remember when running with your dog:

10. Unless you’re a sailor, don’t bother trying to tie a knot. Put the clip through the handle, put the loop around your waist, then clip it on your dog.
9. Stay off main roads and stick to trails if you can. If your dog loves or hates cars, you’ll have issues.
8. If your dog is a puller, make sure you run with them on your “hill day”.
7. Hound dogs do not make the best running partner, unless you are in an adventure race where the goal is to catch the squirrel.
6. Running shoes are important, but cross trainers are better. Perhaps even a pair of cleats for the impromptu track-and-field style events.
5. If your dog is food-driven bring treats. If your dog is driven by a force stronger than human or machine, then pray.
4. Submissive dogs make the best running partners. Dominant dogs will challenge you, then laugh at you when you fail.
3. Try to run in areas near garbage cans. Running with the leash in one hand and a full poop-baggie in the other hand is possibly comical enough to cause a 10-car pile up.
2. It is NOT ok to relieve yourself where your dog does.
1. No matter how much you complain, vent, or need to answer life’s most challenging questions, your dog will never tell you to shut up. Even if they should.

Having said all that, one question remains: Will I do it again?

Hell Yes.