Lightning-quick Boston terrier tears up Brevard’s running scene

As soon as she hears the start of the "Star Spangled Banner," Ruby Tuesday loses it.

The 4-year-old Boston terrier knows it means one thing: paws to the pavement.

“She howls,” said Brittany Streufert, 44, of Viera. “Shane tries to keep her away from the start because, really, she’s so excited to run.”

The 15-pound, furry racing fanatic is a regular on the Brevard running scene, a sidekick to Streufert’s husband, Shane. The two took first in Health First’s CPR Day 5K in 2014, 2015 and 2016, among many other local races.

With Global Running Day – Wednesday, June 7 – coming up, why not turn to Ruby for a little inspiration? If a short-legged canine can reap the rewards of the healthy habit, well, so can anyone.

“When we’ve taken her to the vet, they’ve made comments, just how fit she is,” Brittany Streufert said. “The legs and everything. They know she likes to run.”

Having a running buddy or group can certainly be the push to commit to a regular routine. Running with your dog can be “another huge motivator,” said Kim Hunger, 36, of Palm Bay. “They need exercise as well.”

Hunger, a clinical pharmacy specialist at Health First Family Pharmacy (who ran competitively at both Palm Bay High and Florida Atlantic University) sometimes brings Nala, her Vizsla (a Hungarian bird dog). Dogs get used to the routine, too, providing encouragement to stick with it.

“They look at you every morning, and they’re ready to go,” Hunger said.

A quick overview of how running can help humans: The American Heart Association recommends 75 minutes of running per week to improve overall cardiovascular health – about 25 minutes of the vigorous exercise, three times a week. (Those who choose moderate exercise are advised to double that time, to 150 minutes per week.)

The sport can also boost bone strength, sleep quality, mental clarity and weight loss, said Beth Mihlebach, 31, a personal trainer with Health First’s Pro-Health & Fitness. Certified by the American College of Sports Medicine, Mihlebach is a former collegiate athlete, as well as former cross-country and track coach for Satellite and Melbourne high schools.

Mihlebach sometimes brings her pit-boxer mix when she trains.

"She controls me, I don’t control her,” she joked, admitting they’ve found a nice balance now. “You just kind of have to know your dog.”

Mihlebach said the experience has proven beneficial for both of them.

Kind of like Shane and Ruby.

‘Run her’

The Streuferts adopted Ruby at six months old. Already fans of the breed (their other “Boston baby” is Laila Jane, 8), they loved her immediately.

“Ruby was a little more challenging with her spirit,” Brittany said of her skittish, high-energy aura.

Taking Ruby out for a half mile didn’t cut it, so she told her husband: "I want you to run her."

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Shane, 45, began running 10 years ago to lose weight and avoid going on blood pressure medication. He quickly developed a passion for the sport. Brittany soon followed, becoming race director for Eat My Crust 5K, the annual race that benefits Viera High School Athletics.

When Ruby joined the family, it made sense for Shane to take her along for runs.

"We flew around the mile and got back, and I'm like, ‘OK,’ ” Shane said. “She’s a runner.”

Ruby was into it. Shane began training Ruby for the Bayfront 5 “K9” Run/Walk about four years ago. At first, he thought she might win the small dog category.

When he had to begin biking next to her to keep up, he realized, “ ‘I think she can beat every person at the race.’ ”

She did.

The duo smoked the competition, long-legged dogs and all. (They also took first in 2016 and 2017). More than 20 races later, Ruby’s best 5K time clocks in at 16:47. Shane typically runs about 25 races annually, bringing Ruby along for the less-crowded ones.

“It’s really funny, just being at the finish,” Brittany said of taking in bystanders’ comments. “I’ll just watch the two of them, wait and see how they come in. Just hearing people’s comments…‘That guy’s got that little dog?’ It goes to show that no matter your shape or size, if you’ve got running in your blood, you’re going to go for it.”

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Ruby's typical training schedule is every other day. She and Shane will tackle two to six miles each session, either early in the morning or after the sun sets. She wears her own special race harness and has even been spotted sporting her own “bib.”

“She’s got her little personality,” Brittany said. “Shane will say to her in the morning, ‘Do you want to run?’ and she’ll normally jump up on her little bench and get her run collar and everything. Somedays, she doesn’t want to run. She’ll sit in her house. She knows when she wants to do it.”

When a race is about to start, it’s best to get out of Ruby’s way. Shane has to hold her until go time. Then, she tears out of there – and doesn't let up.

"She does not like people in front of her," Brittany noted.

Sara Paulson is the Marketing & Communications Editor for Health First.