Today's Run
We had a rather sparse turnout of about ten runners today. I was surprised by the arrival of several new faces to the group who came out to run dogs Unknown to me, the ORC kicked off a program which is great, but which I do not think is appropriate for our Sunday running group. Feel free to weigh in on the topic.
Races last weekend
Rose placed first in her age group at the Inaugural Storm The Campus 10 miler at UCF.
Kirsty completed the Inaugural Tamoka Marathon.
Eamonn completed a triple header "Tour de Pain" race in
Wendy, if memory serves me correctly, ran the Tamoka Half
Congratulations to all of you!
US Airways article on
Last week, thanks to Lynne, you saw the cover of the magazine featuring
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pace/usairways_march2014/
Have a great week!
Jack
12 comments:
I believe there were closer to 20 of us in total this morning. The ORC partnership with the SPCA has been well advertised in various methods available to the Club. We have posted it on our Facebook page, our web site, in the email newsletter and discussed it at our group runs the last several weeks. One of those group runs was a recent Sunday morning during which I believe Carey and Carly had discussed this with you. In almost all cases the response has been overwhelmingly positive. This is a great opportunity for us to extend our community service to these homeless animals, as dogs in shelters need exercise as much as any of us.
We have discussed this at the ORC Board meetings and via emails and the Sunday group was chosen as the best time to start this new outreach. The Wednesday morning runs are earlier in the morning and the evening runs later, making those schedules not as beneficial for the animals or the volunteers who have to transport them to and from the meeting points.
I personally have been absent from the Sunday group for quite awhile, and found myself motivated to get up and run this morning knowing there was an animal that might need some companionship for a brief time. I would be very interested to get the feedback of the wider group. As it seemed this morning, those that did not want to participate with the dogs left a few minutes ahead of those of us that did, so I don't believe having the animals there interfered with anyone. And since they are only with us for a short mile and a half, the balance of the distance is our normal participation (which I believe does on occasion include Pumpkin and Sebastian.) If the feedback is that the majority are in disagreement, we will work with the SPCA volunteers to find another day or location for this service.
I'm there so rarely since I haven't lived there in years that we probably haven't met, but I think it's a great idea to take these dogs for a run. I take my dog when he gets up early enough (which certainly wasn't at 4:30 this morning!) and it keeps him healthy and young. He's sometimes more interested in sniffing than keeping a good pace, but we adjust . . .
Thanks for your role in contributing to the lives of these animals!
I appreciate the good intent of running with the dogs. However, my experience running with dogs is biased by a furry friend at home. I've often seen runners out with dogs and thought this is what I wanted to do. One day, I decided to take our Italian Pointer out for a run. It was a disaster. His breed is used to leading and he darted off every which way along my 3 mile route. My ankles were sore for a few days after all the pulling and yanking on his leash. I have never attempted a run with him again. I understand that all breeds are different but I would not be inclined to run with a dog on Sunday mornings. I would be worried about handling the dog and the dog's safety.
Thank you for your response-very well said. I would have been there myself but I am out of town and was unable to attend. As a former volunteer with SPCA of Lakeland, I know that this program works and is growing in popularity around the country. Despite some of the feedback, I feel that this is an ideal opportunity for ORC to get involved in our community, and to comfort our furry friends.
I will add my 2 cents here. I routinely run with my dog during the week. I have no issue with seeing the dogs in the morning. For now I am running longer distances and thus not stopping for long at the 7 am meeting. But if the group has some dogs at the starting couple miles, I am fine it it.
I have no problem with dogs being in the run. We all separate out into little groups after the first mile or so anyway. I applaud your efforts to exercise the dogs and find them homes.
I am not a "dog person" and would prefer not to have the Sunday Run become "the dog run." However, I very much enjoy running and speaking with Cheryl and have never minded when she has brought Pumpkin along. But, somehow, that seems different than having the SPCA come in some official capacity to bring a bunch of untrained dogs to "run." When the two SPCA/ORC representatives showed up a few weeks ago to tell us about their plans, I felt like the Sunday Run was being usurped by folks who rarely came out to run with us. I didn't speak up, because some of my best friends in the group really love dogs and I didn't want to seem like a jerk. But if everyone wants to have the dogs along, I will still come out. Just please don't let them jump on me!
Hey Chris,
Although I just got off the ORC board last Summer, I think I still have an idea of what they are thinking. I believe the ORC board has the idea of enhancing the ORC Sunday morning run while doing a civic minded thing in helping the dog shelter. The club doesn’t even get any money for it (just like it doesn’t from many of the runners that choose not join), the club just wants to do a good thing for the community. Hopefully we will add some more runners out on Sunday’s not less runners. But if it becomes a nuisance or a problem then I am sure the board will make any necessary adjustments including run dates.
Feel free to contact me and I will pass on to the board members any thoughts, criticisms, or suggestions or just contact any of the board members directly. Updated info on the “dogs” and other items are placed on the web site www.orlandorunnersclub.org
I love dogs. I have two. But I'm not interested in running with them. Thanks anyway.
Jack,
I am delighted to be able to run with the Group.
I have no interest in running with dogs !
I enjoy running (jogging is more accurate) and I enjoy dogs but am not interested in combining the two. Man and mutt should both be allowed to travel at their own chosen pace.
Jack has been bugging me to respond. Well I love dogs, but not running partners too much maintenance, no need for details.
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