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Tag Archives: yaris

How to increase your mileage

I recently started running again.  Running and I have an interesting relationship.  We really don’t care for each other that much, but we both feel it’s an necessary evil to deal with one another.  We tolerate each other…we’re even civil to each other.  And so…I go running…generally with Yaris as my running partner.  Running likes Yaris a lot.  Yaris also likes running.  It’s not fair.

Anyway, this time around, I have started using Endomondo to track my progress.  I had previously tried using RunKeeper, which never really went anywhere because they were so late in putting an app out for my phone, and g-watch, which I liked a lot but they didn’t port the app over to wp7.  I noticed shortly after joining Endomondo that they regularly have challenges for their users, like “most calories burnt” or “most miles logged running” or whatever.  I took a look at these challenges one time and I was shocked (SHOCKED) the miles some people put in.  What were they doing?  Running everywhere?  Running even around their kitchen when they were making dinner?  Geez.  There would be no way I could ever win one of these challenges (there are prizes for the winner) with the relationship running and I have.  How would I ever compete with some of these people?

Well, I was talking it over with my friend, and I realized that in order to win one of these challenges would really be to run EVERYWHERE; my chilly relationship with running will just have to take a back seat.  I could run to and from work.  But the thing is, I have to bring some stuff with me to work.  Things like…a laptop and such.  I could use a backpack, but I don’t really like running with something on my back.  And there’s all that jostling.  I’m not sure if Roodee would like that.  So, I guess I’d have to wear a harness of some sort and then hitch a small wagon to myself.  Then I could put all my stuff in the wagon and kind of tow it along behind me.  What’s even better about the wagon is that I could stop buy Costco or something on the way back from work and get stuff instead of going home first and then doubling back to Costco.  I could even run all the way to the Costco Expo to get stuff.  Did you know Costco had expos?  I didn’t.  I was so surprised.  It’s like a Costco+ or something.

Anyway, I’m thinking this is the only way I’ll ever be able to win one of those challenges.  If Yaris comes with me, I guess I could hitch a little wagon to her too.  She already wears a harness.  And if we run at night, she carries the flashlight for me.  She likes to be helpful.

And almost 16 now…

Yar!  I be realizin’ t’day that it be Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Now, ye be gettin’ sumthin’ special w’ th’ t’day’s post written entirely in Pirate!

Me old fart o' a dog.

I just be realizin’ that Choco, me older dog, be almost 16.  Aye, sixteen!  That means she be o’ legal age to get her driver’s license!  I be wonderin’ if she would like to get her license.  I be not adverse t’ it.  She should be able t’ go out an’ see her buckos.  I be not sure how many bucks she be havin’.  She be not terribly interested in sailin’ w’ th’ other dogs.  She prefers t’ go explorin’.  Maybe she be likin’ t’ go hikin’ more.  I be not havin’ th’ time t’ go hikin’ w’ her an’ this summer be frightful hot, not good hikin’ weather.  Maybe if she be havin’ her own car, she be goin’ farther out t’ find th’ good trails.  Maybe up in t’ mountains.  I bet she be likin’ that. She be havin’ some issues with her hips, but she probably be likin’ some independence an’ freedom a car be givin’ t’ her.

Well, if she be wantin’ her driver’s license, I suppose I ought t’ be signin’ her up for driver’s ed.  I be wond’rin’ if there be any drivin’ schools that offer doggy driver’s ed in here waters.  They be needin’ specialized cars for t’ behind t’ wheel trainin’, y’ know.  Choco be needin’ a booster seat o’ some sort an’ t’ pedals be needin’ t’ be raised so that she be reachin’ them.  I be not cert’in if she be usin’ her aft legs or forelegs t’ operate t’ pedals. Th’ interior o’ th’ car would have t’ be designed so that she be easily operatin’ thin’s w’ her mouth too.  I be not seein’ any drivin’ schools around me area that has these specialized cars.  Maybe I be callin’ them t’ check.

It be occurrin’ t’ me that Yaris might like t’ tag along an’ go on adventures w’ Choco.  She be havin’ t’ wait awhile.  At least a year after Choco gets her license.  That be th’ law now.  If ye be gettin’ your license at 16, ye be not legally drivin’ minors w’out someone who be at least 25 in t’ car as well. Yaris be not likin’ that.  She be not likin’ t’ be at port when Choco gets t’ do somethin’.  Oh well.  She just be havin’ t’ deal w’ it for a year.

Another thin’ that I be considerin’ be that Choco be havin’ cataracts now. That be affectin’ her vision.  She might be havin’ t’ always wear corrective lenses, which be not in her loot.  I might be havin’ t’ take her t’ see an optometrist first.  Be ye knowin’ o’ any good doggy optometrists?  I be pretty cert’in me current optometrist be not seein’ dogs.  Also, Choco be not havin’ eye insurance, so that needs t’ be taken into account. Maybe Costco be havin’ reasonable prices for canine optometry visits.  Maybe I be havin’ to ask her vet too.

What I be thinkin’ would disqualify her from gettin’ a license apparently ain’t no problem. Y’ see, Choco be be nearly deaf as a post now.  But apparently, no state be barrin’ deaf people from drivin’.  In fact, many o’ them insurance scallywags be not havin’ higher insurance premiums because o’ the disability because deaf people be more visually aware o’ their surroundin’s than hearin’ people. That makes sense. I’ looks like all she be havin t’ worry about be her eyes then.  I be askin’ if she wants t’ go get her driver’s license.

Ye be not understandin’ Pirate? Here be the post written in English!