Wednesday, April 29, 2015

I might have tired the dog out.

After a walk (just a walk) with Bailey Monday night, I decided to try the running thing, complete with new shoes. We started off walking (which is mostly Bailey dragging me). After about 8 to 10 minutes, I tried running. With Bailey, this is not my usual jog; we were moving. I felt good the first few minutes. The huge hill after that was tortuous (for me mostly), but we got through it. Fortunately, the downhill helped me catch my breath, and things were going well.

Unfortunately, after only 6 minutes, Bailey decided she needed to take a BM break. Not only did that break my stride, but I had to bag it then carry it for the rest of my run. Lovely. 

I ran for another few minutes, and then I dropped the bag off at the house. After a few more minutes of running on our street, Bailey seemed pretty worn out. So I dropped her off at house, made sure she drank water, and I went back out for another 5 or so minutes. Then I walked for a few. 

I felt pretty good after, although I am not sure if it is good that Bailey pushed me. It certainly is a hindrance when the dog stops to relieve herself. Breaking up the running as I did, did not seem ideal, but considering I am no longer in my 30s and not in tip-top shape, maybe that is just what I need.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Maybe I will start running again.

We adopted Bailey, our crazy, bundle-of-energy, rat-bull terrier, 4.5 months ago. Fortunately, she has calmed down some since then. But walks are a different story. This dog wants to move during a walk. Sure, she stops to sniff and relieve herself once in awhile, but even those things are quick.

In the winter months, I started to run up and down my street with her. I did this a few times and never for more than a minute or two at a time because the cold and my being in not-great shape would not allow much more. But after awhile, and particularly when it was snowy or icy, I went back to just walking with her. 

Now that spring is (sort of) here, and because this dog does not know the meaning of a leisurely walk, I have started to run/jog with her again.

Two nights ago, during our (typically) 20- to 25-minute walk, I tried jogging for 3 or 4 minutes. Then I walked. And then I jogged another 3 or 4 minutes. Unfortunately, I did not stretch when I was done; I guess my brain was not "counting" that as a run. But other than slightly sore legs yesterday morning, I was fine. 

Yesterday early evening, I managed to jog/run for 5 and then for 6 more minutes, with not even 2 minutes in between. This even included two hills. I actually felt pretty good, and Bailey was panting, though I have no doubt she could have kept going. 

The problem with this potential plan is that I don't want to do this every day; even when I was a "runner," I kept it to three days a week. And during those five months I trained for the Race for Pace, I ran only once a week. Since I walked most days, and usually briskly, that was enough. Now I typically walk four and sometimes five days a week at work, plus six and sometimes seven more times with Bailey. I think my legs, especially, my knees might rebel! 

And the other downside is what happened when I started those brief jogs in the winter: Bailey expects to run, and she starts off full speed. It took me awhile to get it in her head we were just walking (which, with her, is really clipping).

I guess I will just have to see how it all plays out. But in the meantime, if anyone in the Burgh wants a running buddy, I have a dog you can borrow any time!