Dazed but not confused

Today was the big day! When I opened the mailbox after a long, long day of work I was very excited to see a USPS Priority Mail package inside. It was my Dazer! This product was recommended by Jon, who if his blog didn't say he lived in Michigan I'd swear he lived in my subdivision. The fabulous Dazer is said to repel dogs and is 'perfect for runners, walkers, etc.'. That's a huge promise but I'm sick of having to alter my course due to attacking dogs. As I was opening the package I wasn't sure if it came with a battery or not, so I pressed the button to see if the red light would come on. I was in the kitchen and Pippin was around the corner playing in the living room. When I pressed the button I heard him stop! I had vowed not to use this great product for evil, and Pips is a great dog. He came around the corner and looked at me sheepishly. I just had to try it one more time. I walked away from him and pointed it completely out of his direction. He sat and turned his head! He didn't cry in pain or anything like that, he just got his crazed face like when we're playing loud music. Very interesting. When Brent got home he was just as fascinated as I was, so he went upstairs, shut a door and pressed the button. Pippin heard it and turned his head! Crazy. So we ate dinner and got ready for our run. My plan was a mid-tempo 4-miler and I was going to go where I KNEW there would be dogs, PC. PC is one subdivision over and there are ALWAYS aggressive, loose dogs. The Dazer has a belt clip so I clipped it to my FuelBelt and off I went. PC is about 1.5 miles from my house, so I had a little while to get my plan together. Once I got into the heart of the subdivision I turned down my mp3 player and got ready. Before long I heard the tell-tale jingle of a dog collar and the barking started. I unclipped the Dazer and pointed - once I got close to parallel the barking stopped and the dog quit advancing. That NEVER happens in PC. I finished the loop up and when I was headed back I got ready for the dog - he started to move towards me but never even started barking this time! Unbelievable! I dazed a few other dogs on my way back in and it worked like a charm every time!!

In other news, I'm going to have to book the lodging for the Memphis 1/2 Marathon in December soon. They just announced that the Rolling Stones will be playing the night before downtown! Lodging prices just went way up..... That will be their only concert appearance in TN.

This weekend I've got a double-header on Saturday. Saturday am is the Smyrna Parks 5K. This is really one of my least favorite 5Ks, but since it's the only one in my suburb each year I feel like I have to do it. It's a FAST race and there's usually about 500 participants. They also have a high school team challenge, so there are a ton of younger runners. Last year it was unbearable;y sunny and hot, and the trail has very little shade. Saturday pm is the 1st annual I Run for the Party 5K. This race will be down on Music Row, where most of the country music recording companies are located. It's being sponsored by a guy who painted himself completely in blue paint for the CMM. He's got costume contests and all kinds of cool prizes like martini glasses for the participants. There's a big after party as well. It should be a lot of fun and will hopefully become a Nashville tradition!! I think there's about 500 people registered so far. I plan to push myself more in this race than the A.M. race and I'd love to come back with a new PR!

That's it for tonight! Have a great weekend and good luck to all the RBF-er's racing this weekend!

Rachel

Exercise-
4 mile evening run, 1 mile evening walk with Brent and Pippin (I just could NOT get out of bed this morning and it's my fault if Pippin doesn't get to exercise so we walked tonight after my run)