I think I have found a new training partner to help me get back into running. This is Dougie. Dougie weighs 75 pounds. Dougie is fast. The second picture is Dumbass. Dumbass weighs 50 pounds more than when he last ran competitively 25 years ago. Dumbass is not as fast as Dougie. Day 1: Dougie does the lasagna snatch and gulp in under 3 seconds. Dumbass left standing looking at the crumbs on the floor. Day 2: Dougie walks nicely on the leash in the morning. Proud owner Dumbass walks proudly along without being out of breath. Afternoon – Dumbass goes for groceries; Dougie stays home alone like a good boy. Dumbass on return home opens front door 8 inches – Oh, no Dumbass!! Dougie seeing opportunity for afternoon walk launches himself through 8-inch gap … without a leash … and collar ☹ Dougie didn’t know the neighborhood – he does now. Dougie can now do two miles in 12 minutes (slow, lots of detours) . Dumbass can now do two miles in about 14 minutes (slower, in 42-degree humidex, wearing jeans and clutching a leash in one hand, and his heart in the other). Dougie ran and ran – up and down two hills, one major roadway, a couple of swimming pools, four neighbors’ garages, and a playground (twice) until he stopped and rested – back home … on his front porch. Dumbass – sweating profusely and having lost about 8 pounds – with several neighbor’s help – finally caught up to Dougie, opened the front door and let him in. Dougie is dozing contentedly in the back yard. Dumbass, having had a cold shower and changed – is going to have a cold beer. Dumbass has learned that in the future – go in and out of the house through the garage (and also that he could still pass the military’s 1 mile and ½ run at the age of 63)