Now I wanted to come home from work, plop my tush on the couch and read a book or cuddle with Baylee, ANYTHING but be active! Has that really happened yet? Not really, although I did come home one day, watched Judge Judy, and called it an early night.
The weather has been really great here for February and seeing as the Groundhog did not see his shadow, it appears we will be getting an early spring. Gotta take advantage of this nice weather, right?
Well, that's just what I did. I think my February "Rest Month" will be just a "No Gym" month. I'm really liking getting home and spending that extra time with Baylee (and even getting a few things done around the house). The other day we took a trek to our favorite trail on the island.
But guess what? The trail was all full of mud. I guess that's what should be expected when there was just snow on it a week ago and now it is nearing 60 degrees! I was wearing my newest Mizunos and noticed mud all over them. I then noticed Baylee's yellow coat was quickly turning brown on her underside. At first a little panic set in. We weren't going to go back to the car so we just went with it and had fun! I have to admit it was quite adorable watching Baylee slide in the mud in some spots. She'd act all tough and spastic as she ran through the trees sniffing at things and then all of a sudden she'd lose her footing and slip in the mud.
This is the same island that my dad and I run on and ride bike on. I don't know if you can tell from this picture but the end of the island comes to a point. When my dad is with me, we make a point (no pun intended) to always take the trail all the way to the point of the island (which would be to run or ride around that tree at the end there). My dad always says "Don't cheat the GPS". In this case, I told Baylee we were DEFINITELY cheating the GPS today. It was just so muddy and slippery that one tug of the leash and I could see us slipping down the ledge right into the river. I did not want that to happen so yea, we cheated the GPS and cut the trail short ( about 10 feet). Sorry Dad!
In all we did two muddy miles and that's about all I could really handle with Baylee that day. I think she had a little bit of cabin fever and was excited to get out!
Of course I had to give Baylee a bath as soon as we got home and had to throw my marathon jacket right in the wash. It had some mud splatters on it and I didn't want to risk any staining. I already ruined one marathon jacket last year. I'd like to keep this one clean for a while! Oh, and my new Mizunos, I was so worried about cleaning Baylee and my jacket that I actually forgot about those. They are still in the garage. I guess I'll clean them later!
Do you ever "cheat" the GPS? Would you have in this instance? -M
We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR
Your dog Bailee is cute! It's kind of hard to dirty up my clean shoes, but it's gotta happen - I run on a lot of dirt. I rinse them off after most runs before I put them away. Since I usually have a couple pairs that I run in, they're dry before I need them again.
ReplyDeleteMine stayed muddy for a few days but I finally remembered to clean them today!
DeleteI love the photo of Baylee, what a sweet sweet face. Taking time off from the gym is probably going to give you a real boost for March when you decide to go back and start that type of training again. Honestly our bodies need rest after a marathon.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually excited about getting back to running but not the gym for some reason.
DeleteOh goodness Baylee is so cute! How great to have a canine running partner. I loathe mud and have a thing about dirty shoes so yes, I'd have cheated the GPS. Ha!
ReplyDeleteShe is a great partner. She gets off track sometimes though!
DeleteWhat island are you on? It looks beautiful! Baylee is beautiful as well. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the state parks! It really is lovely when it is not muddy!
DeleteI would've cheated the GPS because I would be that person going head first into the water. I'm assuming that water is pretty cold too after all the snow. At least you and Baylee got outside, and look at that smile on her face. That's one happy dog!
ReplyDeleteYea, I'm gonna bet that water is near freezing..lol
DeleteThe photo of Baylee taking a bath is so cute! And probably a good decision to skip going all the way to the point with that mud. I agree, I would probably have been one who slipped and fell in.
ReplyDeleteYea, that is a real steep slope too!
Deleteawh Baylee is just so cute!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think so too!
DeleteI am completely on board with taking a month off! Let the body heal after all the hard work you put it through. Off seasons are super important. Baylee looks so adorable! Absolutely I would have cheated the GPS in a situation like that!!! Good luck cleaning the Mizunos, I know how it feels to get your new shoes muddy!
ReplyDeleteYea, I definitely appreciate the time off so far!
DeleteAw bummer! Melted snow makes the worst mud-- so slick :-( Hope you got everything and everyone cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteI think we got the mud out of every thing and every one...lol
Deleteoh gosh - Its like labs just go for the mud on a normal day anyways - I can't imagine how muddy your girl was with the path being so mud covered. We learned to keep blankets in the back of the car to try & wipe those feet down before Buffy would get in the car. Our Aussie Sydney HATED getting dirty - she was great. Harvey? the dirtier, the better.
ReplyDeleteI hate getting my new shoes dirty - I would have loaded up & found another path - I'm a wimp :) haha
I have beige interior in my car and was SO glad I had a seat cover and an old sale flyer I could use to wipe her paws off!
DeleteBaylee in the bath is adorable! How many dogs look so happy to get a bath?? What a fun adventure you gave her - you are a great dog mama. :)
ReplyDeleteThe longer I run, the more I'm convinced that there are times when you really do need to take a good long break, just to rest up, heal, and get your mind happy about running again. I hope you enjoy your February!
Oh this dog LOVES the bath!
DeleteShe definitely looks happy, and probably loved every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteSometimes in life you just need to take a break, some need longer breaks other shorter, I think the key is doing what you feel is best so you don't hit burnout. Enjoy your more relaxed February! Maybe lots more fun walks like this with Baylee!
Yes, more walks, less mud!
DeleteWe have been blessed with such nice weather! Glad you and Baylee are out enjoying it. My doggie has been loving the weather too.
ReplyDeleteLola hates the tub, but Baylee looks so content! :)
ReplyDeleteBaylee really does love the tub!
DeleteI've been telling myself that I'm going to rest from running for a couple of weeks, but I don't last more than 3 days! I hope your resting month is going well!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you listen to your body and take a break when you need to. Oh I definitely don't like running or walking in mud so I would have cut that short as well
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun run with your pup! I can tell she enjoyed herself! Enjoy your no-gym month, too! :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I think its good to give yourself a break from the gym its probably nice to get outside occasionally, especially with the warmer weather!
ReplyDeleteI so wish I could run with my dog but she's a lazyberger, I mean, Leonberger and doesn't run much. Or at least not for very long at all (read: more than a minute at a time).
ReplyDeleteHope you don't enjoy your time off from running too much... ;)
Well, I pretty much always do whatever mileage is on the plan.
ReplyDeleteNo 60s here, in fact yesterday was downright raw & chilly, but I took Lola to the park for an extra long walk because unfortunately the snow found us again.
We walked over 2 miles, which is a lot for little dog, and she wasn't even tired. She's the energizer bunny!
I would have cheated the GPS too. Slippery mud ? too dangerous !
ReplyDeleteYea, I thought it was borderline dangerous too, especially with a dog!
DeleteTaking time off is great. I took most of 2015 off and I'm so ready to tackle running again. I forgot what it was like to enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your quality puppy time. It's good for both of you!
Good call on cutting it short with all that mud! I've cut runs short when needed as well! Enjoy the "rest!"
ReplyDeleteI never cheat the GPS!!! Haha ;) #runnerproblems
ReplyDeleteGood for you for taking some time off. Marathon training is tough. You deserve a month to do nothing.
maybe just a little cheat? Looks like you two had a great time! Enjoy your month of "whatever comes your way!"
ReplyDeleteI really hope we are getting an early spring!
ReplyDeleteI thought perhaps we were but we got flurries today!
DeleteHow fun to have Baylee to run with! We're talking about getting a puppy in the spring and it would be so tempting to get a dog who could run with me. But then I think about the muddy paws...the big poops...
ReplyDeleteOh it's all TOTALLY worth it!!
DeleteWhat a lovely place to run! I had to LOL at not cheating the GPS - my dad is the same way. I totally would have to avoid crazy mud though.
ReplyDeleteThat is one happy looking dog. What a cutie!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Baylee has a big old puppy smile in that last photo! She looks so happy! :) Good job, mama! -C
ReplyDeleteIt would be very difficult to break with the tradition of going to the point, but I guess safety would win in this case. You deserve a rest month of no gym. I think I'd prefer spending time with Baylee too.
ReplyDeleteMy experience this month sounds like the opposite of yours! I didn't intend for it to be a rest month but the weather has been so awful I've only gotten outside to run twice. And I hate the treadmill so I only dragged myself to do that once. I wanted to get in more running before Princess but it is what it is.
ReplyDelete