Tomorrow is my first run over 10 miles but I feel very prepared. Every piece of running gear is moisture whisking. My MP3 player is holding 100 songs and I have orange GU. I have my route mapped out and can actually take the dog for the last 2 miles of the run. I figure by that point I will be doing 12 minute miles (look at that optimistic thinking) and I know the dog can handle going that slow for 2 miles.

It's funny how up and down this training is. I ran outside on Monday and struggled through three 11 minute miles however last night, I easily ran 4.5 miles at the gym in 45 minutes.... and 6 of those minutes were spent walking for my warm up and cool down, then, last Sunday, I breezed throuh a 7 mile run in 70 minutes, which is very good for me. I am curious to see how this one goes. I probably average out to 10 minute miles but I can feel the mid week speed work really helping.

Zippy has had zits on his belly and in the creases of his armpits and thighs and he is scratching a lot more then usual so we have a vet appt. At first we thought the poor little guy was going through puberty and he would never find a girl but it appears his zits have not crushed his appeal. Sabrina (neighborhood 10 year old cutie pie) was in the front yard with Rob and Zippy when I got home from the gym yesterday. Zippy was on his best behavior and did all the tricks we can't get him to. She got him to 'drop it' and 'roll over' without having to ask a second time. What a jackass Zippy is! He pretends not to understand us but he really knows what we are saying to him and he is choosing not to roll over or drop it. Now I know his game.

Another thing I noticed, when we meet a child or baby down town, we make him sit before we let them pet him. He always sits there while they scratch his noggin and pull on his ears. When Sabrina comes over he automatically sits. Our training is actually working. What good parents we are.

Anyway, Sabrina is trying to start a dog walking business so we are going to let her walk the dog in the afternoons when we are home for $5 a shot. They love each other so much it's a crime not to do it. My only worry is when he sees a squirrel and takes off like a bat out of hell or when he gets on a stubborn streak.