Victory!
Last night I ran my 7 miles (can’t remember the time) but it was damn hot out. And everything hurt, from my toes up to just under my chin. Pain. The bottoms of my feet even hurt. The scary part was the wobbly weak feeling that popped in and out in my right knee, like it was going to buckle any minute. It reminded me of pre-ITBS symptoms. Argh.
Does anyone else think I should take an extra rest day and give blood instead? Fainting at blood donation is better than fainting on the road. I missed two midweek runs last week because of travel, but I’m afraid the lack of sleep is hurting my recovery and I don’t want to get injured. Plus they usually have good cookies for donations here at work.
The BIG news is that I tried out the Dazer utrasonic dog repeller. It works! Like you wouldn’t believe. I clipped it onto one of the front straps on my fuel belt so it hung next to one of the bottles. Not much bouncing so I think that arrangment will work for running.
When I got to mile mark 2.5, I pulled it out and carried it so I would be ready when I hit Tripod’s house at mile 3. Tripod wasn’t out but his annoying friend (Idiot) was and he came charging out. He was coming from the right and I held the Dazer in my left hand pointing towards him so that I could run and press at the same time without having to extend my arm.
Hit the button. He stopped INSTANTLY! No joke. He did that heels-digging-into-the-dirt halt and ducked his head down and to the side, like he was suddenly looking for something. I held the button for about 1-2 seconds.
The very next house has the hound dog and what looks like a springer spaniel. The hound dog came charging right out (like last time) and when he was about 20 feet away I hit the button. Dead stop! He started looking around and down the road behind me, like he had heard something and looked very confused, but he didn’t move or bark again.
On the return, hounddog stayed up by the house and barked but the springer came running right down and came crashing through the bushes. Hit the button and hold for 3-4 seconds. He stopped and turned around instantly and ran in the other direction! Wild!
Passing Tripod’s house again, I could hear Tripod in the back yard but he hadn’t been able to get up to the front yet. Idiot was in the front yard watching me, but as I passed in front of the house, his owner appeared and stood next to him. I was tempted to push the button again. Heh, heh.
Bottom line, the Dazer worked great! I am really happy I bought it. :)
August 18th, 2005 11:27
You devil,you!
August 18th, 2005 11:28
That is SO cool! Got anything that will work for stupid co-workers?
August 18th, 2005 11:39
that is awesome! i know meridith was looking for ways to combat dogs. i’m sure she’ll be happy to hear about this.
August 18th, 2005 11:55
Cool! (*insert wicked laugh*)
August 18th, 2005 14:15
i like it…non-lethal, non-toxic and fun to watch.
i admit, i’m a dog lover, but a bad-owner-hater so this sounds like a perfect solution. (too bad you can point that thing at the owner and get a response).
well done jon!
August 18th, 2005 15:44
Hey Jon, I found out about your blog through Audrey’s and I just read it for the first time today. It’s great and very enjoyable. Unfortunately we also have A LOT in common… ITB and shin splints!!!! I know, they suck! I am currently still recovering from bad IT in my left leg (three months but at least I can somewhat run now) and of course the aching shins have begun to reappear. Ah! Anyway let me know if you find any miracle cures please!!!
August 18th, 2005 16:16
Fan-tazer-tastic!
August 18th, 2005 16:54
hey jon…about the rest day…that’s scary about the knee. it sounds like YOU think rest is in order and i don’t think you’re wrong…i am sorry your run was so rough. but as for donating blood…i might refrain for the duration of your heavy training. i have a feeling it will take more out of you for longer than the one day you donate. I think it took Leilani’s (one of the eliterunner bloggers) husband a few days to start to feel better in his training and he had a ROUGH 4 mile race in the interim. anyway, just my 2 cents. i would be wary, but again, i personally haven’t donated in a long while so i forget how it feels. good for you for wanting to too. you’re a good example/reminder to get rid of some blood :)
August 18th, 2005 17:43
Wow! That’s awesome - but I gotta ask - why are all these dogs loose in the 1st place?
August 18th, 2005 18:56
Whenever your body talks like that, you need a rest day, don’t you? Isn’t that what “they” tell us? There’s a good podcast on that:)
August 18th, 2005 23:19
That is so awesome, I’m going to HAVE to buy one of those. I wish it worked on walkers who hogged the sidewalk, too. I love my FuelBelt, I’d die without it (literally!)
August 19th, 2005 07:42
Wow, I’ll have to order one of those. Can you order options, like electro-shocker for beligerent dog-owners who cuss you out because you mention that they are required by law to keep their dog on a leash? Or maybe a racing feature such as a loud air horn for nordic walkers who insist on walking 4-abreast on a narrow trail and stick you with their walking sticks as you try to squeeze by through the stinging-nettle plants.
August 19th, 2005 10:34
Cool! But uh why are these dogs not on leashes? Aren’t there leash laws? Love your blog.
August 19th, 2005 11:13
Big Jon! What an excellent solution - I don’t know how you didn’t give the one dog on the way back one bonus zinger just to see the owner’s reaction!
August 19th, 2005 17:16
Haha! I heard over on Meredith’s blog that you stunned 3 dogs and had to read it for myself.
Awesome! Hopefully they’ll leave you alone now and you won’t have to use every time.
Way cool.
August 20th, 2005 09:59
Now that you have the dogs’ attention they’ll probably never bother you again. Too bad too. It sounds like a very satisfying power tool.
And if it’s not too late …. don’t expect to run right for at least two days after the blood giving. You’ll do best to either skip or rest up afterwards.
August 22nd, 2005 10:54
That is awesome. I now have my next running toy firmly in my sites. I too sometimes do my runs on a rural road and the dogs can just be ridiculous. We have two labs and I love them but that doesn?t mean I enjoy being nipped.