Watch out for dogs!

I have always bragged about how lucky I’ve been after being chased by dogs. I've been chased numerous times but never really seriously close to being bitten. Well today that all ended. I was finally a victim; a dog finally bit me. I went on a 12 mile run today around 6:30 p.m. along side a canal. I've been running on this course for the past 12 years. Since then I've made peace with the local dairy and neighborhood dogs. But today out of nowhere this dog ran up from behind and bit me on the top part of my right quad. I felt this warmth and then a bark; I turned around instantly swinging at the dog. He stopped turned a round and continued running back. Luckily there was no blood; I was shocked, relieved and somewhat disappointed. I felt like a coward, I normally confront any challenging dogs. But this one caught me off my guard. My advice to those who listen to Ipods while on the run, keep the volume low and keep a lookout for any probable danger. Keep running and remember to replace your running shoes often.

Fuel up

Now that weather is heating up and our outdoor activities increase, one word that I strongly advice is, hydrate. It's really important that we also remember and include our pets, constantly take in fluids. No one ever wants to encounter a heatstroke, so let's all get into a good habit and add more fluids to your daily schedule. I hope you all can find the time to go out for a walk, jog, or run. Have fun and always use the buddy system. Never go out alone, unless you absolutely have no other alternative. Life is good.

ipod on the run

I've always enjoyed running alone, listening to all the surrounding sounds and the opportunity to interact with nature. I've seen ducks swim, birds fly, squirrels play, dogs run and chase me, water move, kids play, the sun rise, the sun set, rain pour, sun shine, wind push, friends scream, strangers wave, and best of all, having fun. Then one day, 6 weeks to be exact, my oldest daughter suggests that I go out for my run with her ipod. I've been asked several times, why run alone, when I can run with an ipod. I'm old school, so I used that same excuse over and over. I won't run with an ipod because it will take away from my enjoyment and become a distraction. Then this one particular day, I said yes to my daughter. She explained how to work it and wouldn’t you know, I didn't understand, so I asked her to just turn it on. Well with a little creativity and pre -wrap I attached it to my left arm. I went out for my 8-mile run and surprisingly; I improved my time by 3 minutes. I honestly believe it was due to my dancing to the music. I really felt comfortable because I couldn't hear my breathing. So I really didn't have an indication whether or not I was tired or breathing hard. That same evening my wife went on line and purchased two ipods, one for me and one for her. I now won’t go out for a run without one. So if you haven’t yet tried jogging or running with one, please don't hesitate any longer. Be aware of your surroundings, smile and have fun.

One step at a time

Have you ever-encountered stress and didn't know what to do about it? Well I normally go out for a jog/run for fun or during a training cycle, feeling happy and energized. But, today I just had to go out for a long run to help relieve my stress. I always feel better and stress free after a run. Unfortunately in this instance, I had to run feeling stressed. I believe it was due to taking my first online test. I really didn't know what to expect and constantly kept wondering if my computer would lose connection. Overall, I strongly recommend jogging/running to help relieve stress. Keep you eyes on the road and a good pair of running shoes on.

My first post

I would like to share one of my many hobbies with you. I was first introduced to running in 1983; this was during my high school career. I continued running road races during my Jr. College years, and through my time at Fresno State. Once hired as an Art teacher at L.H.S., I continued running with my cross country and track teams I helped coach. I naturally came to the conclusion that I really wasn't as fast as I use to be. So I decided to take on the next best thing besides running short road races, and that was running marathons. Three years ago I trained for and ran my first marathon in San Diego. I’m currently training for my third marathon this June. Since Jan. I've been running 6 days a week. I cross-train on Mondays and sometimes take the day off. With my longest runs on Sundays. I've been really excited about running ever since and I would love to share my experiences and thoughts with anyone who is thinking about running for fun.