Will Run For Goat Cheese & Pecan Stuffed Pears

I remember when running 5K seemed like a treat.  A short run.  A rest day.   Easy peasy, lemon squeezy (I hang out with 8 year olds all day. Give me a break).

  Somewhere between that time and finishing my first half-ironman, suddenly losing my mom, surviving what seemed like 8 months of winter and adding two new dogs to our family 5K began to require more motivation that I had most days. 

5K still feels like quite the feat some days but lucky for me I have some friends who have some motivation to spare (or at least they are willing to fake it) and I have a four dog relay team who is more than happy to take turns running with me(I'm convinced that running with all four at the same time would lead to certain death.  At least at this point). 

6K Relay Team

Meet Lenore (bulldog).  Technically we rescued her from the pound.  Really she rescued us.  She likes to wear running t-shirts, hang out in the bathtub when nobody is looking and much to our chagrin she occasionally likes to stand on the kitchen table.  She also likes to launch herself in front of you when running.  2K is her distance of choice.

Ms. Lenore formerly Miss Piggy

Meet Hank (black bouvier).  Hank is the ideal running partner.  He gladly runs along side of you at just the right speed...until he sees something scary then it's every woman for themselves.

Poor hungry Hank.

Meet Jackson (German Shepherd).  Jackson is my inheritance dog.  He loves sports detection, agility, and playing fetch.  Jackson begins each run like he is chasing a cat.  If you are looking for a buddy to do a tempo run with he is your boy.  If not, hold on tight!

Hank Jackson Brown

Then there is Jeb (Blond Bouvier often mistaken for a Doodle).  Running isn't really Jeb's thing unless it is on his terms (like most things in his life).  He likes to pretend like his legs are broken for most of the run until he thinks we are close to home.  Then he likes to gallop.  He also likes to tug at his leash and pretend he is a bucking bronco for the first five minutes of every run.

Tired boy

Goat Cheese & Pecan Stuffed Pears

Post run snack.

(serves 1)

Ingredients

1 pear (cored)

2 T light goat cheese

1T pecans (chopped)

white balsamic vinegar (optional)

Core pear (totally worth investing in an apple corer). Slice into four sections.  Divide goat cheese amongst four slices.  Press chopped pecans into goat cheese.  Drizzle with balsamic vinegar if you are feeling adventurous.

Enjoy four tired dogs laying at your feet. 

Best Friends Forever