One of my very favorite things to do is to bring someone new into my world of triathlons and running. Sometimes they are reluctantly dragged into it, kicking and screaming, quite sure that they’re going to absolutely hate it. Other times they have no idea what exactly they’re agreeing to but go into it willingly enough, until – of course – they figure out that, um, yea, this might not exactly be fun (let’s just say there was a long night of drinking after a softball game where I talked a friend into doing her first 5k the next morning… picking her up at 5am… hee).
I’ve mentioned before, I’m in the middle of picking up and moving. And one of the things I’m most excited about is the opportunity I’m going to have to get myself a training partner! I’ve always talked about how I dislike the solitary aspect of training, and how I’m much more a social-triathlete than a competitive one, so this is like a gift from the training heavens.
Yes – I’m taking in a roommate when I move. But that’s not who I’m referring to. By being closer to work, and closer to people who will be able to help out, as soon as I’m settled in? Yea, I’m getting myself a four-legged training pal. And I cannot WAIT.
Last time around, my dog was the epitome of lazy: I would leave him home for 11-12 hours at a time and when I would get home? He’d look at me from his perch on the couch and cock his head at me as if to say, “Tired? Wanna nap with me for awhile?” Yup. I had the best dog.
But he was never a runner. And that was my fault – I got him from the pound when he was older and I never took the time to properly train him on leash. He would be okay walking, but running? He would either be sprinting ahead or stubbornly stopping to sniff and mark things behind me.
This time around I’m doing it right. I’m going to make sure I make the effort to train the new recruit to run with me. Make the new pooch a motivator for me to get off my duff and get outside, too. Gotta walk the dog, right?
I’ll probably go the same route as last time — go to the pound, find a dog that needs a good home and some lovin’ (and who’s already been house-trained!). And one that will give me the puppy-dog eyes guilt trip when I’m sitting on the couch, ice cream in hand, instead of pounding out some miles, dog at my side. My future pup has NO idea that he’ll be one of the few dogs around that will BE the trainer as well as the one being trained!
Yup – I’m indoctrinating the newest breed of triathamutt. Super Dog!