As a part of my training for my first ultra endurance run in the Andes Mountains of Patagonia, Argentina I have an ongoing theme of “test” – putting me in situations where I hope to test my shoes, rain gear, backpack, food and so on.  In responding to a curious neighbor asking about how one does that in NYC – I responded Central Park!  I love the Park – it holds just about every terrain and test run I could ask for, in fact just the other day I was enjoying an early run on the Bridle path and I spotted a man walking briskly towards me with a dog leash hanging around his neck. He was walking quickly but every few steps turned to yell out “Jonah! Jonah come on!”.  So, of course, I looked ahead with curiosity to see where this “Jonah” might be. I love to play the “Match the dog to the owner game” and in looking at this gentleman I was anticipating a nice small pup who has a hard time keeping up with an owner who doesn’t seem to have any empathy for short legs.

I jog around the bend and see a very empty dirt road devoid of people and dogs and most certainly this supposed Jonah — hmmm, maybe a small dachshund? “Jonah!” he yells again but keeps his pace lengthening the distance between himself and this lost soul. I’m now beginning to think this must be a larger dog that can keep up with this owner who is not slowing in the least. Still an empty path…..and then all of a sudden with a thundering sound of wood cracking and the whoosh of branches and leaves parting Jonah jumps in front of me — a gorgeous, big and sassy St. Bernard, the largest I’ve ever seen! 

Jonah explodes out of the bushes right in front of my path, drool flying from his mouth, ears and face, eyeballs popping and a huge grin directed right at me as the ripples of his weight hitting the ground surprises the bejesus out of me.  He takes off after his owner and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud for the next half mile. Jonah “got” me and I realized that the tables were turned….he must play his own game of “Scare the Runner” as he hunted me!  I snort with laughter again but then my mind fast tracks to the Andes and considering that this may be yet another training test….what in the world can I expect to jump out and surprise me in Patagonia???