An encore race for the spring season

You might — justifiably — think that my running season was pretty much over until after August.

Particularly if you were at Sunday's post-race brunch, where runners talked about how we were maybe going to run twice a week to keep a base, but mostly focus on RAGBRAI preparation.

So you would be surprised, and rightfully so, if you'd seen me Monday, 24 hours removed from a half marathon, registering for a race in two weeks.

Here's the kicker: It's a 5K fun run, and it benefits my favorite animal shelter, Furry Friends Refuge in West Des Moines, which is where I adopted the cat who's become my beloved sidekick.

Dusty likes to help me with various daily tasks, such as reading the newspaper and eating breakfast.

The Woofin' It 5K on May 11 invites runners to bring their dogs, as you probably guessed from the name, and Furry Friends will bring some of its adoptable dogs to the race to "lend" to runners without dogs ... like me!

I've never run with a dog before, so this could end with a skinned knee or strained shoulder joint, but for sheer entertainment value, I'm not sure I could think of a better fun run to do.

My interest in the race was piqued before my half-marathon dud, and after that slightly sour note, I'm thinking a silly 5K would be a more pleasant way to close out the spring running season.

Plus, did I mention that it helps a fantastic cause? Furry Friends is a no-kill shelter, has some terrifically committed volunteers and employees, and does a great job preparing long-term residents for their forever homes.

Dusty, my rescue cat, had been there for a year and a half, yet he was so unfazed when I brought him home — I truly think it's because Furry Friends keeps the majority of its cats in dorm-sized rooms rather than cages, as well as exposing them to human interaction.

I don't know how many readers I have from the Des Moines area, so my recruitment efforts might be for naught, but anyone from the Des Moines area not allergic to dogs and moderate outdoor exercise: Consider spending a mere $25 to help local animals!