I Have a Good Reason

His name is Tikaani, which means wolf. Yet, it should mean "big baby". He is the most gentle, loving and constantly licking of your face Husky (or any Dog) I have ever known. We are finding out he is very smart as well. He has escaped from a well secured Kennel three times in the middle of the night. Quite the Houdini. The kids love him and he loves them. He is a gentle giant. Giant? Isn't he a puppy? Yep, only 7 months now, however, bigger than our 19 month old Husky. Unusually tall and big for a Husky. Yet, Husky he is  - not a Malamute. He is our "big baby".

Life with two Huskies has been a fun adjustment to our family. Not to mention my running schedule. Nikita the first Husky Puppy, is my running partner. I am doubting that will change. Tikaani, can run, yet Nikita "knows" how to run. She is relentless. Fun how two dogs, of the same breed, can be different. Yet, Tikaani will have plenty of opportunities to run. This morning, as I left for a 4:30 AM 8 miler - the howls overwhelmed the house (they are both inside at night). They woke my wife and oldest out of bed. My wife said (which I heard I was shutting the door behind me), they both started howling and barking instantly as the door shut. They hate it when I run without them. When I opened the door at the end of the run - I was greeted with a "big baby" jumping up with paws on my shoulder and wet tongue all over my face. He must like a salty sweaty face.

Okay? - Running.

Hard to be consistent with all new distractions. Yet, I have been getting it in. Not where I want to be though for my Half Marathon end of this month. Still kickin' and have a plan to work it all in though. The other obstacle - Summer Vegas Heat.

Early AM is the only reasonable time to get it in. Even runs after 10:PM find the temps above 100 still. It is has been slightly cooler than normal in the AM's of late though. Only in the low-mid 80's. Yet, as soon as we get into some real heat - 110 - the morning lows will be low 90's. It happens. We can count on 4-5 (or more) day stretch in July and August with near 110, or more. I can deal with 90's here. It really is pleasant with the near zero humidity. However, double digit training runs? They can be a challenge. Mainly in pace. If you go slow enough, even 105 is bearable. Just forget about doing any speed training though. At least for me. Trust me - HUGE appreciation for all Badwater runners.

Given all this you would think this born and raised Seattle runner would be ready to run back home. Hardly! I love running in the desert. After 8 years (July 1 was our anniversary living here), my appreciation in being a Desert Rat runner has grown even more. As Col. Lawrence was asked in Lawrence of Arabia by an American News Reporter (played by Arthur Kennedy) - "what is it about the desert that draws you here?" Peter O'Toole's answers - "it's CLEAN."

BTW - anyone else seen the movie Prometheus? What did you think?

Speaking of desert running - my next post - all about my fun experience volunteering for a desert race with my oldest boys. We had a blast. Pix and post on that coming soon. Now, I need to get caught up on everyone else's postings. Hope all is well, especially Runners in Colorado. Take care and keep kickin'!!

Cheers.