my other running buddy

This past weekend was rain fest 2009 in San Francisco, so I opted out of doing the Saturday morning run with my training group (I know, I am a wimp). However, I really did not want to go and run in the cold hard rain (again) and risk getting sick before the holidays. Anyway, I put off doing my weekly long run until Sunday night after napping a couple hours, cleaning the bathroom, doing other chores, and being warm and cozy on the couch with my husband and dogs. Not really the best plan, but I was dedicated enough to get my butt off the couch and onto the cold wet pavement.

 As I was putting on my running gear and getting ready to head outside, my husband was closing his eyes for a brief nap and had a dog snuggled up on his lap. My other dog, Doc Ellis, despite being cozy and warm just minutes before I began the pre-run process jumped up and was eager to head outside into the cold dark night with me. My dedicated running partner!

I put Doc’s safety light on, got his running treats ready, secured his leash and off we went. About 4 miles into the run, when I was getting a bit bored, I looked down to see Doc running straight ahead with full on determination. His ears were pressed against his head, his nose was pointing forward, and he was a movin’. I then smiled and realized how lucky I was to have such a devoted and inspiring running partner, such as Doc. No complaints, just a joy for running in the rain, dark, or whatever situation he enters into. He keeps me moving, smiling, and causes people to smile at us as we pass them by on the sidewalk.


Doc and I completed 6-miles last night and both ended up doing it with a smile on our faces, because we had each other! I could not ask for a better running partner than my buddy, Doc Ellis.

just minutes before our run.

post run with his safety light on and a smile on his face

me and my buddy

Fun, team work, support, healthy snacks, playing games, running, exercising, promise to respect one another, freedom, friendship, self-confidence, sportsmanship, learning= Girls on the Run (the way the girls themselves describe the program and what the program means to them) 



Now, how can you argue supporting a program as positive and inspiring as Girls on the Run? 

To support Girls on the Run, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/rawls. All of the proceeds I raise will directly benefit the Girls on the Run Bay Area program.

We did it!

On Saturday, Mariana and I ran together (yes, ran the whole way) to complete the Lollipop Run 5K, which benefitted Girls on the Run. There were about 1,000 participants out on Saturday and most of the runners were made up of 3rd to 5th grade girls who participated in the Girls on the Run fall program at their school.


For the Lollipop Race, each girl in the program was paired up with an adult volunteer Running Buddy who ran with the girls from start to finish. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Mariana, a 5th grader from Marshall Elementary School, and I were paired up together and completed the race together. I was so proud of Mariana for her hard work leading up to the race, running the entire race, and doing it with a smile. Her mom even came to cheer her on, as it was her last year in the Girls on the Run program.


Here are some pictures from the event...

Mariana and I pre-race

A few of the Marshall Elementary School team members enjoying each other and their victory lollipops!

Mariana and I post race with victory lollipop in hand.

Mariana, her proud mother and I in front of the finish line.

I must say, the Lollipop Race was a wonderful and inspiring way to spend a brisk Saturday morning. The overall feeling of the event and program can be summed up perfectly by a cheer I heard throughout the morning from various GOTR teams...

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run is so much FUN!