Could have been funny... but

[primaballerina]

You will notice dear fellow runners that I was running back and forth in the picture above!

Reason: Darling dober-herd (Merlin) fell into a fast flowing ditch next to the river, it was about 1.25 m deep, but the water, thankfully was only about 60cm, so he was swimming a bit in some places and wading in others...

Unfortunately he has rather weak back legs and is 20kg overweight (like his Mum)...and was finding getting his waterlogged fur coat out rather tricky! (even when I attached a lead and tried to help him).

I put planks into the ditch for him to climb on, but no, he went the other way... then my doberman decided to help!... she jumped in too! (NOOOOooooo) probably to show him how 'easy' it is to get out... it wasn't as easy as she thought, although she managed within a few minutes, being younger and at a peak of fitness (bitch!)

So, do I take my Nike's off and jump in (brrrr) or do I call my husband to help.... er no I don't think so! - Eventually Merlin went to a part where he could work his way out over some debris, but was very stressed... so I carried on with my run to dry them out and that did in fact calm them down as well.

UNFORTUNATELY - I wasn't able to pause my Garmin during this time of chaos - and it did a disaster for my splits... nearly 20 mins/ km is alot even for me! Otherwise I think I would have improved my 4.5km best time.... grrrr AND I was hoping for a 5km run that evening. Never mind.

PB

[backintime Graduate]

Oh poor dog, he must have been so stressed and panicky.

Just call it interval training and write it off : ) glad everyone got out safely

[primaballerina in reply to backintime]

Good idea re: interval training! (heart rate went up during this event though!!)... he was fine when he got out... I'm just suprised he didn't bark to let me know where he was...

[backintime Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

Couldn't help noticing Rio Alva, do you live in Portugal ?

[primaballerina in reply to backintime]

Indeed I do! Well done for noticing! I'm near the Serra da Estrela mountains in central portugal - (my lounge window looks out onto them)!

[backintime Graduate in reply to primaballerina]

I have a good friend in Coimbra, keeps on at me to go visit, I will one day !

[primaballerina in reply to backintime]

Message me if you go! We could do a run together!!! LOL

[Debston Graduate]

Oh, how stressful for you all, glad it had a happy ending. Life does get in the way of running goals, sometimes in strange and unexpected ways. Hopefully he has learnt his lesson!

[primaballerina in reply to Debston]

I hope so too....naughty boy!

[Jogunlikely Graduate]

No pb but I bet you wouldn't swap your pups for world 🐶💕

[primaballerina in reply to Jogunlikely]

I really did consider getting in, and I'm phobic about cold water!

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Oh dear what a fright for you! Glad it all ended well - better luck next run!

[MuddledGardener Graduate]

I’m sorry, but I did laugh at your account! I’m sure it was horrible at the time, but your description did make me laugh! I’m glad everyone is okay now.

[primaballerina in reply to MuddledGardener]

Oh - I love writing my adventures for others to laugh about, there is always some empathy where it matters!!! My run, to that point had been a bit hilly (up and down), and my legs were feeling like lead, so after my interlude to rescue the dog(s), it was good to be motivated again to dry the blighters out! I was so pleased to reach 4.5k that day considering!

[Meepmum Graduate]

Could you call it a Fartlek run? Hope you and your rovers have recovered 🤗