What I’ve learned from Hazel
acquired a new member. The children had been clamoring for a puppy for quite a while. The lockdown seemed the perfect time.
Hazel came to Kingston in a laundry basket at the age of 2 months, and it didn’t take long for her to win our hearts. We wanted to do the best we could for her. We took her to puppy kindergarten and watched videos to find out what she needed to be a happy and healthy dog.
Everyone said she needed a nutritious diet; that good nutrition was a key to her growth. They emphasized she would need plenty of exercise to stay lean. Being overweight would significantly increase the risks of her developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
German shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis. Being overweight only exacerbates these problems. German shepherds need a lot of physical, mental, and emotional stimulation to be healthy and happy. Providing your dog with these needs will help it live a full life.
Hazel is now eight months old. She likes to race around the yard. She loves to play with the Frisbee, leaping to snatch it from midair. She enjoys a good tug of war, plays fetch, and likes to wrestle with Edward.
Hazel craves companionship, attention, and affection. By temperament, she seems overly friendly versus aggressive. She follows people throughout the house, learns quickly, and communicates her needs and wants effectively.
She is currently in the adolescent stage of development. At times, she is rebellious and tests limits. The other day, I was throwing the Frisbee with her, and she ran across the road to the woods.
She would not come when called. When I went to get her, I slipped on a wet, steep embankment. I twisted my knee in the wrong way and let out a sound of pain. Hazel immediately ran to me and began to lick my face.
In recent weeks, our wooded neighborhood has been visited by a bear and a coyote. Both times, Hazel alerted us that something was amiss. I do not doubt that if any of us were in harm’s way, Hazel would protect us. She is loyal, protective, and affectionate.
What I’ve learned from Hazel is that while we are animals of different species, we are more alike than different. We have the same needs and desires. Quite a few runners run with their dogs. After Hazel turns one year old, I want to see if running is something we can share.
After writing this column, I fully expect that someone will get me a chew toy for Christmas.
In 2019, Nike came out with their new Alphafly super shoes. These shoes utilize new technology that includes a carbon plate that some believe acts as a spring device. Nike advertised that the shoes would improve performance by at least 4 percent.
The Alphaflys were the shoes that Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge wore when he broke the 2-hour marathon barrier with an astonishing 1:59:40. Athletes wearing these super shoes have since broken the women’s world record for the marathon and the 5K, and the men’s 10K record.
While Nike led this technological revolution, other companies have since developed their own versions. World Athletics, the governing body for elite running, has ruled that these shoes are legal as long as they are available to everyone. The Nike super shoes entered the marketplace with a price tag of $299.95.
In 1969, I bought my first pair of running shoes, the Adidas ROM, for $9.95. I bought the shoes at Kaye’s Sportswear in Uptown Kingston. Kaye’s had two models available: the ROM and the Antelope. Today, there is a bewildering array of companies and models.
The problem with the price tag on the super
shoes is that they have reordered the market. With $300 out there, $170 shoes are now cheap. This price phenomenon is happening throughout the industry. Just check out the prices on GPS watches.
Emotionally, I have had a problem with the commercialization and “consumerization” of running. I want to hold onto and romanticize the simpler and more “pristine” aspect of the sport of my youth. Intellectually, I realize this is naive. In this regard, running is a reflection of our consumer society.
The biggest consumer holiday of the year, Christmas, is upon us. Many of us are looking to buy our friends and family running-related gifts.
I recommend sticking to the basics. Running shoes are expensive and need to be replaced of
ten. Think of getting your favorite runner a pair of shoes or, better yet, a gift certificate toward a pair. All runners can use warm hats and mittens. Running apparel now comes in layers: a base layer, a second layer, and an outer shell. Consider buying a layer. Reflective vests and flashing lights are popular and needed for nighttime running and comparatively inexpensive. A stretching mat or foam roller makes an excellent gift.
The Ferncliff Forest Turkey Trot in Rhinebeck went off without a hitch. This in-person race on Thanksgiving morning had 267 finishers. The overall winners were Fishkill’s John Amenta (16:20) and Kingston’s Gabriela Olivera-Martinez (20:45). The second and third place men were Garrett
Burger (17:15) and Patrick Cullen (17:26). The second and third place women were Samantha Chestney (22:35) and Renee Keplinger (22:59).
Coming in seventh overall, in 19:41, was Mike Slinskey. Slinskey, now 50, is arguably the most consistent runner in the area over the last 25 years. He is a two-time U.S. Olympic Marathon trials qualifier. Slinskey has given back to the sport he loves by being a volunteer and race director. He is at present the cross country and track coach for Our Lady of Lourdes High School and the Grassroots Running Club.
All details for the Onteora Runners Club 2020 Viking Run in Rosendale have been finalized. This legendary local race will be done as a virtual run with a twist. Participants will have from December 26 to January 3 to run the actual course or run the 6-mile distance anywhere. The course can be aptly described as “uphill both ways.” It is a challenging course, but one that is satisfying to complete. The Onteora Runners will email all registrants a course map and detailed directions. The course will be marked so all can follow.
There are several reasons to enter this virtual race. First, the event is free, with an option to donate. All donations will go to the Rosendale Food Pantry and St. Peter’s Church. Food pantries around the country are in dire need.
Another reason to enter is to support the efforts of the Onteora Runners Club. Running clubs are the backbone of running in the U.S. Jason Taylor, a long-time area runner who is active with both the Onteora and Shawangunk runners clubs, said he was surprised how participating in a virtual event made him feel connected to the running community. He said that reading the other participants’ names in the results, although he never saw them, brought a smile to his face. He liked the idea that others were doing the same thing and still getting out there to run.
The Viking Run is a way to help people in need and a way for us runners to stay connected. For all information and to register, visit the website zippyreg.com.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.