In The Moment Running: Waggin' Wild

Casey got his introduction to competitive running in the Waggin' Wild 5K on March 5. Gabby got her introduction to crowds, dogs and humans alike. Both did great! I have run miles with Casey before including a few 3 milers. Although he has a little greyhound in him, he isn't the fastest paced runner. Of course he is a big dog, big enough that he won an award at the Waggin' Wild for largest dog. He's lean and tall but because he is mostly Great Pyrenees, he is a solid, strong dog - a gentle giant with a laid back demeanor, as they are known. However, being Pyrenees, he is a protector of the perimeter. When he is home, any approach to the house is welcomed by deep, loud "my house" kind of barking. Gabby, a spaniel mix, has an opposite personality, happy-go-lucky, "I'll lay in anyone's lap" kind of dog.

When Casey and I run alone, I need to coax him and sometimes even pull him. I wasn't sure how he (or I) would react in a competitive race which included dogs.When we lined up for the start and as Cindy and Gabby watched, he seemed a bit shy, or like all of us in races, having some nervous energy. So, the horn sounds and off we go. To my surprise, he really wants to run and he runs with a perfect four-legged gait. The first mile felt really fast compared to our training runs, maybe around a 9 minute mile (I forgot to start my watch.) At one point I had to say, "hey boy, slow down, you are going too fast!" I used a 2 foot leash which kept him by my side and out of other runners' way, particularity on the two down and back's.

The first mile included a climb up a hill and then back close to the start where Cindy and Gabby were waiting to see their favorite fellows and for us to see our favorite gals. Casey noticed "momma" right away and as we ran past started to turn around and look. Casey always likes to look for momma, even when she is not there. Finishing up mile 1, he slowed to a normal pace as we traversed a lake over a wooden bridge. Like all of us who start out too fast, Casey seemed to be feeling the effort. We get to the turn-around at mile 2 and I showed him the water bowel to see if a drink was in order. He wasn't interested so we continued our merry way. For the last mile, I did have to gently pull him a bit, in an easy coaxing kind of way, always saying, "who's a good boy, who's a good boy?" He looked at me like, "I am Dad, I am!" By this point we had actually passed a decent number of runners, those with and without dogs. At the finish line awaited Cindy and Gabby cheering us on as we made the last strides uphill to cross the chip-timed 5K finish line. "Yes!", just under 30 minutes at 29:48 which is 6 minutes better than our practice times. It was a fine run for Casey in his first competitive 5K. After crossing the finish line, a lady came up and asked me his name as he was going to get the award for largest dog. I've run hundreds and hundreds of races with one third place age-group award and he wins an award the first time out. Gabby was just loving the people always thinking that they were there to pet and play with her. She would just cuddle up in the laps of strangers and make herself at home.

Of all the events I have run, including marathons in all 50 states, these types of moments stand out as the best, just like when I ran with Bree two years ago in Cincinnati at the diaper dash. Those 25 yards and this 5K are moments to be cherished. There are many other moments like these that stand out more than my own achievements.

Loving Pet Inn Adoptions was the recipient and sponsor of the event. The Waggin' Wild Facebook page is here and Cindy (in red) is seen on the banner walking on the course with Gabby. There are also a lot of pictures here from one of their volunteer professional photographers. I've included some of our own pictures below. Particularly enjoy the last one.