In order to fit everything into today that I wanted/needed, I had to get rolling in the middle of the night pretty early. I was “slightly” tired since I haven’t slept since I got knocked up with Mr. Michael and the obligatory bathroom-blogger photo showed as much.
A few run essentials, if you are also running in the dark, are pictured below. The Knuckle Lights are a great product which I highly recommend! They really light up the night and the roads, so much better than a headlamp. I am also loving the SPI-Belt since it even holds my humongous DROID phone. 
It was soooooo dark. The older I get the more terrified cautious I am in regard to the dark and the road conditions. Today I was at my parents so had to run on a busy road to hit the less traveled country roads. Once I hit the first country road I breathed a sigh of relief thinking I was in safer territory. However, that feeling didn’t last long as I was barely into mile 2 when I heard a rustling in the corn field and “something” jumped out at me and freaked me out started running beside me! I immediately went for my pepper spray since I had been bitten by 3 dogs in less than 4 months at the beginning of the year was being cautious but this LilWhiteDog was not out for blood but apparently just wanted to run. I can appreciate that.
I didn’t anticipate my friend to go too far, usually a friendly dog may run a 1/2 or full mile with me but never more than that before they turn back toward home or get distracted onto a new adventure. However this LilWhiteDog was in it for the long haul. I must say that it stressed me out slowed my progress as I was afraid it was going to get hit by a car or that it was running too far for its lil legs, or that it needed water, etc. I greatly enjoyed the company and he certainly took my mind off the task at hand but I wanted the LilWhiteDog to go home where it would be safe and be loved and be able to rest! I hit my turn-around at mile 5 and he also made the u-turn. At this point, I was relieved thinking when we got back to where he initially joined me that he would go back home. So I ran on thinking that he would be safe soon enough. I did notice the LilWhiteDog to be unusually savy about life on the road. He always ran into a ditch when a car was coming, he stopped and listened intently when a “mean dog” sounded its bark, and he just was incredibly intelligent and worldly for such a lil thing. I was impressed.
We get back to the road where my friend LilWhiteDog joined me and he kept running beside me. We hit the busy road and I took my turn and prayed that he would stay but he followed. I almost cried thinking he would never make it the length of BusyRoad without being hit by a car but he did. And then he took the turn into the lakeside subdivision with me. And then he turned into the driveway with me. And then I closed the door to the house and prayed he would FINALLY go home. But he didn’t. LilWhiteDog jumped up on the door and started barking/whining. Did I mention that the Parents just tore down the lakeside shack and built a NICE new house remodeled the cottage? Did I mention that the Parents HATE don’t like dogs? LilWhiteDog found the patio doors/windows to look into the great room.
LilWhiteDog wasn’t leaving.
A couple of hours later we left to go trick or treating and LilWhiteDog chased my car down the road, then stopped and walked back to my parents. 
Several hour later we came home and didn’t see LilWhiteDog but then a lady power walking came down the street with a mysterious partner……LilWhiteDog. I encouraged her to take him home and she laughed. I was packing up the car and guess who came back.
Auntie Sara was strong-armed decided to take LilWhiteDog home back to Ft Wayne to see if she can pawn him off on one of her friends find him a home, otherwise he will be going to the Allen Co Animal Shelter tomorrow or Monday. Aby and I are hoping Uncle David falls in love with him she finds him a good home.
Good-Bye and Good Luck my friend LilWhiteDog.
10.04 miles – 1:43:46 – This is super slow for me but I stopped many times to try to get photos in the dark with my flash which was a TOTAL FAIL didn’t work out, then I had to get off the road multiple times for either my safety of that of my running partner, plus I walked in the 7th mile for a little bit because I felt like it my hips were tight.
“Run”way Fashion: It was under 40 degrees so I needed long sleeves and went with my Nike Chicago 2016 Candidate City shirt which I still wear even though I’m the only one who wanted to the Olympics in Chicago we lost the bid.
And I tried out the new CW-X compression 3/4 quarter tights, which I really liked!
Women’s 3/4 Stabilyx Tight – Black/Raspberry
The Stabilyx tights provide optimum targeted support to the core and knees. They’re ideal for activities with lateral motion such as skiing and snowboarding and for athletes seeking our best form of knee support. The patented CW-X Support Web™ bands together the muscles and ligaments of the lower leg to stabilize the knee and reduce vibration for increased efficiency. The CW-X Support Web™ also harnesses the midsection, supporting the lower abdominals, hips and back to channel power through the core. Variable compression facilitates circulation during and after activity, minimizing lactic acid build-up so that you can be active longer and recover faster.
I have been having issues with my hips and knees and just general lower leg aches/pain since the Plantar Fasciitis has reached the advanced stages. Apparently, I am running funny my form is deteriorating. I could definitely feel the added support, particularly in my hips and probably the part that I LOVED the most was that I didn’t have to pull them up one time! That alone was worth the price!!! I don’t know yet about the recovering faster part, I didn’t have time to lounge in them so don’t know if it really counts. Photo below is “me” not a “stock” photo.
I definitely look forward to wearing them more in the future, now just wish I had more pink shirts cuz I am really picky like to match.
Cheers, Amanda – TooTallFritz
TooTallFritz 
Nicely woven story about that lil-ole white dog! Dog picked you and wanted to become part of your home. Considering the fur you already have, one more wouldn’t break the bank! If I were there I might just be tempted to adopt the pooch. Heck, any dog that can trot alongside a runner without a leash, mile after mile and know to watch for the cars and the “big-dogs” might be a great asset to have!
Like the 3/4 CWX you describe and show. I like the 3/4 tight length, but have always seen them listed as “capri” style and only made for women. Never saw 3/4 length tights for men. Wonder why because I think they would be great. Maybe I should have been born female. Maybe the CWX makes 3/4 for men?
Like everything you are doing here. Love your musings and your style. You are and have a perfectly chaotic family and life. Your blog centering around your running, but intertwined with what’s going on in your life, with your family, with your friends, reminds me of Kristin Armstong”s (yes once married to Lance) book, “Mile Markers – The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run.” That book was the outgrowth of Kristin’s blog-site.
When I bought that Mile Markers book at the Expo at Boston Marathon last April, the clerk remarked, “You this book if is for women!” I responded that I thought what a woman runner had to say about running, or life, might be interesting read. Running was simply our common ground we can relate to, but her prose about life, family, friends and her trials and tribulations is pure enjoyment to read. You might want to check her out, if you haven’t already!
Hope to run into you someday on the trails or the streets. I will be looking for a little-white dog alongside you! Keep it up “Too-Tall-Fritz” (kind of like “Too-Tall-Jones” from Dallas Cowboys days long gone by)!
Love it!
Loved this blog, AGAIN! Keep writing, Amanda! You’re a very clever blogger!!
For those of you who are dying for an update of LilWhiteDog…he is happy with his new (hopefully permanent) family. For those of you who don’t know me, I can sell shit. And, I can sell it well! Just pray the next time my sis picks up a stray, you are nowhere near us or you will happily be taking home a dog! Ha! After I bathed the very stinky, bloody (because whose feet wouldn’t be bleeding after trying to keep up with my sister for 8 miles?????) mut, I packed him in the car and headed back to the Fort. I live in a neighborhood with a MILLION kids, so I just started working the kids. Let me just say, LilWhiteDog is pretty easy to market. He is so friendly and smart and just hung out all afternoon running and jumping with the kids. By the end of the day I had several kids BEGGING their parents to PLEASE, PLEASE let us keep him. Hee hee! I even had a few prospectve parents come out to see what all the fuss was about. Agh yes…like taking candy from a baby. By the time I had to head off to a Halloween party, LilWhiteDog was very tired, fed and perfectly content to hang out in the garage until some unsuspeting parent got talked into the inevitable. I spent all night at the party trying to talk everyone into adopting the poor guy but had little success. Never fear…..by mid Sunday afternoon our little guy was ready to go play with all the neighborhood kids again. After about 2 hours of rough housing with the neighbor boys, my next door neighbor cautiously peeked her head out to “ask me some questions”. In a matter of 15 minutes, I was walking over the cage, dog food and doggie toys! Yay!!!! Even though they say that they are just going to give it a trial run for a week, I am certain he is up for the task. Who could not totatlly fall in love with this guy? I am certain that he is potty trained as he never made a mess in the garage or the cage and would beline for the nearest bush the moment I let him out. He is super well behaved. I had him loose in the garage for hours and he only made a small mess (he ripped up an empty bag). He is definately not a wonderer, so I think he will be a perfect addition to their family who has older kids to help out. Keep your fingers crossed for LilWhiteDog!