One Last R.U.N. Are You In?

Raleigh is sleeping on the bed with her legs up in the air when I ask her "R.U.N?" I say it so it sounds like "Are You In?" Raleigh's head snaps to attention and her eyes lock on mine.  I repeat it and she jumps up with enthusiasm. Although I haven't asked Raleigh to go for a run in three years she remembers what it means.

We stopped running because my knees are shot, a visit to the orthopedist confirmed it earlier this when he said, "You have the knees of an 80 year old man." My knees had already given me that impression when walking became painful.  To alleviate my discomfort I was given a series of Orthovisc injections. The doctor told me that running was out of the question, but I miss it like the three sisters in a Chekov play miss Moscow. I work at adidas and everyday I see people return from a lunchtime run and I'm jealous. The injections have made a tremendous improvement in how my knees feel so I've been plotting one final run with Raleigh.

Raleigh has been my running partner since she was one year old. Our running club of two enjoyed early morning runs in the sun or rain. We were well matched for speed and distance and it had always been a great bonding and dog training time. Raleigh runs by my side without a leash. She doesn't disturb people or other dogs and always waits at the end of the block for me so that we can cross the street. Her energy and enthusiasm for running around has returned now that we stopped her chemotherapy treatment and recent hikes have proven that she is ready for one final run.

I stretch then grab a leash and we exit our gate. Flynn is disappointed; he's never been part of the running club so he's staying behind. Raleigh and I pick a slow pace to start out and we chase our shadows that that are stretched out before us. As we pass oncoming runners they smile at Raleigh's playfulness and raise a hand in greeting to me. An gentleman maybe twenty years my senior shuffles toward us at a pace probably half of my own and I admire him for his tenacity while wishing that I would be able to run at his age.

After ten minutes I feel I've reached a comfortable pace and I love the feeling of each footfall.  Raleigh runs at a different wave length; running ahead of me, running back towards me and running ahead again before stopping at the end of the sidewalk. At each intersection I tell Raleigh "Hold my hand" so she grabs the end of the leash and we can cross together. When our feet find the next sidewalk I release her with "O.K. Go" and she dashes ahead but never more than twenty feet.

We run to the University of Portland and pause in the shade of tree that is just beginning to show the signs of fall approaching.  Raleigh rolls in the dewy grass 8...9...10 times, then a few more for good measure. I watch her while feeling my pulse race and noting the perspiration that is beading up all over my body.  My legs feel great.  Raleigh does "her boogie" to shake off the dew and a surprising amount of water is returned to the lawn. Her face is filled with happiness and her tongue hangs out of her mouth. Raleigh grabs the leash and pulls me up. It's time to run back.

After a few blocks I tell Raleigh to stop. The next two blocks are clear of people and there is nobody behind us. It's time to run a couple sprints or as we call it "Man Against Dog." "Ready? Go." We rush to the end of the block and Raleigh easily beats me to the finish line. Raleigh loves the game and so do I.  As we begin the next contest Raleigh grabs the leash. We run hard and cross the finish line together.

We return home with our shadows now behind us.

I just stopped running one day because it hurt to much. Then it hurt in a different way not to run. Since running has always been an important part of my life, I wanted the opportunity to say goodbye to running. Our pace today wouldn't have won any races. I ran a little slower to stretch out the run and just enjoy the morning, the companionship and the thrill of feeling my body exert itself. Hours later my body feels grateful. Raleigh is passed out and I see her legs twitch, is she running in her sleep?

Thanks to running for being such an important part of my life and my relationship with Raleigh.  In the future, maybe I won't feel as jealous when I see other runners.  We've had our final run and our running club is now turning into a walking club. We'll even let Flynn join.

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