Karma is a B*tch.

For the first time in my life, I have started running.  I was forced to run when I rowed, but I always despised it.  Now, I love it.  Every morning Manao and I run around the lake.  What could be more perfect?  As the sun slowly rises, illuminating the temple, we circle the lake, smiling at the same people each lap and each day.

In the past few months I have allowed Manao to run off of her leash.  She loves it, and doesn't drift far from where I am.  But, within the past week or so, many new puppies have appeared, causing a few very aggressive stray mother dogs.  Therefore, Manao is back on her leash.  Because as much as she wants to be every dog's best friend, these mothers don't want any friends!  

I think I dislike the leash more than she does.  She likes to stop to pee, to sniff, to eat grass, to lay in a puddle, or find a rotting fish carcass.  Well, I don't like to do any of those things, so I am a little fed up with the leash.  I constantly have to give her a little love pull, coaxing her to "be a good girl," and "keep running, not much further."  Well, yes, the last line was a lie, as we have recently started doing 3 laps around the lake.  This brings our run to over 7 miles.  Manao is not nearly as pleased as I am with our progress.

My alarm went off Monday morning, and our run went on as usual.  Manao was on the leash.  We finished lap one and two without a problem.  Lap three was a challenge.  And as I pulled my golden retriever along in the increasingly warm Thai temperatures, I became frustrated with her slowing pace.  So I gave her a good yank.  And I pulled my hip flexor.  

Now I limp.  Now I struggle to stand up.  Now I am made fun of by my students, wait, no, they always make fun of me.  Now they just have new material.

So, sorry, Manao.  I won't pull you when we run.  

Karma is a b*tch.