While many active adults spend their weekend mornings running in races to collect medals & t-shirts, we do a “Schnauzerthon” first-thing each Saturday and Sunday. Those of you familiar with Triathlons and Marathons may not be have heard of this particular event because I just made it up. A “Schnauzerthon” consists of at least two schnauzers and two people walking and running together for about an hour. You simply hop out of bed, put on some tennis shoes, do some stretching, grab some extra doggy-bags, leash-up the pups, and head out the door. The dogs are usually more excited to go than you are, but all of you may quickly lose interest. Our schnoodle-schnauzer, Tinker, is a bit gimpy in her old age and walks slowly, while Tally, at nearly half of Tinker’s age, is much more adventuresome. However, Tally has recently slowed to match Tinker’s pace in an effort to keep the pack together. She is content only when the four of us are all safely within her sight while she guides us along the route. She also likes to blaze her own trail rather than just follow along, so that she can be “the leader of the pack.”

With my current running streak at 3,506 consecutive days, I need to get in at least a continuous mile of running every day, so the “Schnauzerthon” is a compromise. My wife wants to move along at a brisk walking pace, and the dogs certainly need the exercise, so we all benefit from this activity. I will run ahead and then loop-back to take the leash of Tally to give her a chance to run with me. Tinker once was part of this exchange, but she can no longer keep up with my “blistering” pace. Tally is definitely ADHD, often stopping for smells, other dogs, squirrels, birds, and any other little distraction. I use a retractable leash because she will also suddenly halt if we get too far separated from the pack, and a whip-lash effect will literally stop me in my tracks as she stubbornly sits down on the pavement. While Tally is “running” with me, I’m constantly changing direction trying to keep her moving. I have the most success after taking the leash from my wife by back-tracking so that Tally has to run to try to catch-up with them. Also, if she can chase another runner or dog that is in front of us, she will actually pull me forward, despite her small size. I guess we all need that carrot of motivation.

After I complete my three-plus miles of running, I will then grab both dogs and walk them home. My wife will take an extra lap around the park at a much faster pace to make up for Tinker’s slowness, and will eventually join us for the home-stretch. At that point, Tally is relieved that the pack is back together. As we separate from my wife, she tends to drop behind me with her head twisted backwards, looking for any signs of her missing master. She does the same thing when my running path loops behind the three of them. My most important responsibility on the “Schnauzerthon” is to take any full bags of poop from my wife for proper disposal. Since we own Tinker, “The Poopingest Pup on the Planet,” this is a constant duty that I must fulfill along the route. Just doing my doggy-dooty.  (See Post #501).

As you can clearly see, the “Schnauzerthon” would be a tough challenge for any great athlete. It involves miles of quick turns, sudden loops, leash exchanges, and varying paces. On some occasions, I have a leash in one hand, an on-coming dog, and a heavy poop bag in the other hand. Other times, it may be just a poop bag in each hand and only a hill to climb. There is stop-and-go, followed by jumping over a twisted dog leash, or untangling one from around a mailbox or tree. Our former dog, Belle, would wrap herself intentionally around anything just to get out of running with me. Both Tinker and Tally used to “run like the wind,” with tongues hanging out and ears flapping in the breeze. Anymore, it’s just to chase a squirrel, and Tinker has a hard time now even seeing them.