My easy run is not easy anymore

I just did a short run (3 miles) on the treadmill. I could have really run outside today, but my problem was that I didn't get my butt in gear. By the time I got the motivation to run, it was dark outside. How pathetic is that? Could I have been more lazy? We set the clocks ahead tonight, so that should allow me to run outside a little later in the day. Losing an hour of sleep isn't my favorite thing, but it really is nice to get home from work when it's still light out.

I've been doing my little PT routine with the right knee several times daily. I was even up during the night from 1:30 to 4:30 last night, and I did it again. The knee held up okay during the run, although I have to say I was WINDED. My easy run is no longer my easy run, I guess. Thanks to the kidney stones, I'm out of shape.

I will admit that I did a poor job of staying hydrated today, so maybe that was part of the issue. I also may have messed up yesterday. I ran 5 miles on a fairly empty stomach and then didn't eat for 2-3 (at least) hours after. That's not like me at all, and I know better. I'm wondering if I didn't refuel and suffered a little tonight because of it. Nonetheless, I got in the the run.

I'm hoping to get Murphy out running with me again soon. Maybe even tomorrow? His energy is sometimes bordering on behavioral issues, and I know that more exercise will help. He needs a job, and his job is that he's my running buddy. Of course, this is seasonal work for him. He is very well-behaved and focused when he runs, unlike Gus-Gus who has a conniption when bikers go by or Karl who has the cardiac fitness of a dead man. (I have a special place in my heart for Big Karl but he's not the active dog. You'd think he wouldn't fit into our family but somehow he does.)

Murphy gets in the zone and won't quit for anything. Maybe I see what I want to see, but I really do think he loves to run. I sometimes wish I could find a 1/2 marathon or other race that people could run with their dogs around here. Of course, our time would be limited by MY fitness, not Murphy's. I'm sure he could run 5-6 minute miles if I could keep up. When I had to do a lot of stop and go running/walking due to knee problems before surgery, I could tell how frustrating it was to him. I couldn't blame him. I was cramping his style. Hopefully this summer will be different!