Training with Scout

When I turned 40, something special came into my life. That something special was a dog named Scout. Scout is a lean black lab/greyhound mix that we adopted when he was 9 months at the time. He loves to roam. I also bought a 10 year old pick-up truck at the same time, but that’s another story.

What have I learned from Scout so far?

1. Have a single-track mind – Scout just cares about one thing when he’s out on the trails and that would be deer. He’s 100% focused on tracking and at least in his dreams, chasing deer. For me, it’s taught me to stay totally focused on the task at hand. Competing at long distances is all about mental toughness and focus, nothing more. Don’t get side tracked.

2. Trot – Dogs can trot all day long. So the next time you are out on the trails or roads, think about adopting a nice, relaxing pace that you can maintain for long periods of time. Be sure to let your tongue hang out.

3. Eat and Sleep – Between workouts and races, learn to eat and sleep well. As we are know: rest = recovery = improvement.

4. Play – Most of all, have fun in life. Chase a stick or lick your balls.

Adopt a dog and you’ll be faster.