I’m almost certain I will forget something even though I have three bags of things needed for the sprint tri: wine, shoes and other stuff – so I should be all set – and yet there is just so much to take it’s bordering the ridiculous. A new bike would not be bordering ridiculous though, and yet I still don’t have one. No, no I don’t. If anyone out there wants to call or text the Chef and demand a new bike for Runner Susan, I’d find unmentionable and pleasurable ways to reward you.

Anyhow, I’m not freaking out about the totally not pleasurable swim since I really didn’t train AT ALL and since there is no air in the water I am totally prepared to come in last. And hopefully not last by remaining at the bottom of the pool for the rest of my life. I honestly wish Cherry Berry could do the swim for me because I’d totally win. She’s a pro-swimmer that girl.

Here I go. Reporting back on Monday! Hopefully.

(In case you are wondering, Donkey hates the water, hates to run and Michael won’t get him a trailer for the back of his bike)

Internet people, I was at Target the other day and it was 106 degrees outside and I saw a car in the parking lot with a border collie in it – granted the window was cracked, but still the dog was panting like a fool! How can people be so stupid? Honestly? Stupid! I left a not so nice note on the windshield and brought attention to the security guard on duty who paged the shopper.

With that in mind and with my new running buddy ready to go, I thought I’d post this link to an interview I did last year about running with dogs with the Good Dog Podcaster, Joanne Green.

Good Dog Podcast, Running with Dogs.

She’s finally got the okay from the vet to start her training program again. Both legs are completely healed after her luxating patella surgeries! Yay. I’ve missed my Cherry Berry Runs.

Donkey wears a t-shirt from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Tulsa Tough report is on the way soon!

Cherry watches TV with Donkey from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Cherry Finds Her Duck from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Cherry Eats a Pig Ear from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Yesterday morning I went on a trail run with Cherry Berry. Foolishly, I took her off the leash and she ran through the brush, jumped into the river and got stuck on the muddy bank because it was too steep to climb. I had to go after her, and that involved climbing down the five-foot bank, which was covered in spider webs and littered with snake skins – all my favorite things. I waded out into the river, grabbed her and carried the 35-pound wet and wiggly dog up the bank, through the brush where a bee promptly stung me when we reached our original path. A really fun game for Cherry, very annoying for me.

This made me late for my car appointment, so instead of going home to change I went straight to the auto shop for my repair – and I looked awful and smelled like a sewer. Also, I noticed, as I was sitting in the waiting room while people were staring at me, that my arms were starting to itch. And I’m pretty sure by tomorrow I will have poison ivy scattered all over my body.

But I don’t care about any of that because I am still elated that Obama will be president in a few short months. For the first time in a long time, I will be proud to be an American, because soon the leader of our country will not be Asshole of the Universe George W. Bush, but a leader who acts with morals and responsibility, a leader who understands what is needed to repair and unify the people of our country. There is no instant fix, the task ahead is brutal, and it’s going to take a long time, and I’m willing to do my part – but I believe the entire world can now breathe a little hope. And I’m so happy I still keep crying.

Okay, I’m done now. We won. Now I’m going to go hide before the rest of Texas can beat me up.

My friend Marta and I took the Aussies to the dog park this morning . . . and what a blast, I’ve never seen the Aussies so happy.

Oh, and I also ran 20 miles yesterday (not 24, shut up David) at an 11:27 pace. Not the pace I was looking for, but more on that later.

It’s such a busy month. We celebrate Michael, Kenza and Donkey’s birthdays and Mother’s Day all just a few days apart. Michael got a lovely leather bracelet, and Donkey got a lovely hat, which he doesn’t think is so lovely.

And on Monday Cherry Berry had surgery to repair her severely luxating patella. It was a lengthy and painful 3.5-hour surgery and she really isn’t acting like she had surgery at all – which is bad – because having an active, 3-legged dog with a giant cone on its head herding you is a little annoying and really, really not so good for the furniture.

To add to the loving chaos my parents will be in town this weekend for Kenza’s birthday party. A birthday swim party, complete with eleven eleven-year-old girls. I can’t believe my baby turns 11 on Friday. ELEVEN. This past year she’s grown more than any year I can remember. She’s just as tall (or short) as I am and she has already surpassed my shoe size and is able text message faster than you can blink an eye. She’s very proud of her texting skills, especially since Mom stinks at texting.

Mom also stinks at running. Last week I had a good week of very slow wogging on the Sunshine PIMP. But this week isn’t so sunshiny. The ankle is mostly better, but now I have a very mysterious pain in the bottom of my left foot beneath my fourth toe. It was really bad this morning and I had to only walk on my heel for a good ten minutes or so. I’m not sure what it is but it comes and goes and is making me insane. And all this birthday cake is making for a FAT Runner Susan. Woe is the Runner Susan. Woe.

Or, when good dogs get stuck in the automatic irrigation system.

Now, if I can just get her to stop pooping in the house.

Go ahead, mock me. Watch this video while I figure out why Photoshop is crashing on me – I’m working on my food photos for the week and, for some unknown reason, Photoshop is smiting me. Oh, and my voice doesn’t really sound like that. Really.