Sexy Mother Runner: My run with my four-legged best friend!

Yesterday started as a normal Monday for me, 5:00 a.m. wake up to grade the Health Science courses I teach with my only company, coffee and my dog Brinklee.

8:00 a.m. Make breakfast for the girl and then make her into a $100 dollar bill for the 100^th day of school.

Excited for the 100th day of school!

9:30 a.m. The boy wakes up, breakfast for him, reading books and time to get ready for preschool.

11:00 a.m. lunch for both kids and off we go to school, but yesterday was different as I grabbed my first kid, my four-legged, furry one and loaded her into the back of the truck. The minute she saw the leash in my hand she started jumping around. She knew she was in for a treat!

We dropped both kids off at school and off we went for our time together. My first kid’s name is Brinklee. Since I have had kids Brinklee is often put to the back burner, but not today. She is the top dog! Brinklee is a 9 ½ year old Golden Retriever. She has been with me since my husband and I met. She has been on more vacations than a human and has also moved more times than most humans. She is my daughter and my four-legged best friend. She always sleeps by my bed and loves our kids. It is an under statement to say she is part of the family and as she ages it saddens me. Dog’s lives are too short and I am going to try to make the most of the time we have with her!

Yesterday was her day! We decided to start our run in the Village of Dunlap. I was unsure how Brinklee would do since she is quite a bit older and quite a bit wider from when we ran before. She hopped to as soon as possible, though. I tried to look for roads that had grassy paths for her to run on as you have to be careful with running dogs on roads or rough surfaces. It is hard on their hips, especially for a large bread dog like Brinklee. Secondly, you do not want their foot pads to become sore or even worse crack and bleed from the rough pavement.

Brinklee and I ran through 20 m.p.h. winds with beautiful sunshine and 59 degree temps. Is this really January in Illinois? She ran like a champ…at least for the first ¾ of a mile. Then the inevitable needed to happen.

She had to take a dump. Like all runners once they get started! What’s with the “shifting of the bowels” when the run gets going?! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. My Great Grandmother, Mina Lunita-May (yes, that really was her name) always said that and it still makes me laugh!

Then another ¼ mile and a pee break. Then I realized I lost my glove during all of this so back trackin’ we go to find the glove. Found it!

"If the glove doesn't fit you must acquit!"

Again, I couldn't resist! No disrespect intended!

Remember I am a Social Worker that works with victim's rights.

We have to have a silly sense of humor every now and then!

Now my pup is tired. So, I am dragging her the rest of the way back to the truck for a break. Brinklee slammed dunked 1.2 miles in 13:30. The old girl did great and I was so proud! Off into the back of the truck for a drink and I am off again as I am not letting a good running day like this get away!

I felt like Mr. Incredible when he says, “I've still got time!”

I ran all throughout the village of Dunlap and surroundings today. I ran by the coffee shop, the water tower, houses (I was very happy to see "Sold" signs in this economy!), a cute shed that had positive sayings, my friend Anna’s house, down a country road, by dogs, by grain bins, and at least 8 times by the post office.

I ran up hills and down hills. The only thing I like about hills is the fact that it works my "Grande Gluteus Maximus" and let me tell you I have a "Grande" one. I think Kim Kardashian and I were separated at birth.

This picture just cracks me up!

I even talked to Bekah for two miles of it and my husband for another. I heart my new Tuneband and iPhone! The only rough thing was the darn wind. However, every time I would turn a corner I would just think of Jillian Michael’s behind me with resistance bands screaming, “You really think you can do a marathon?!?!” and I pushed harder! Did I mention I register for the Chicago Marathon tomorrow?!

Needless to say, my run today was awesome! I finished my run by literally running right up to the pick-up door of my son’s preschool to grab my cute lil’ guy!