An interrupted run

I really wanted to wait to run until tomorrow, mostly because I washed my hair this morning and I hate to wash it twice in one day. But since today's high was only around 73, the humidity was nothing like it had been, and it was not very sunny, I decided to take advantage.

Just as Bailey and I started the awful hill, a little yorkie ran out and right up to Bai. Unfortunately, Bailey is not good with cats, so I am scared of how she might be with little dogs. I tried to yank Bailey away, but the little dog just wanted to see Bai. I left them sniff, and it seemed to go okay, but I was still scared. Fortunately, the owner of the yorkie picked up her dog, and Bailey gave up after a few more attempts. Then we started up the hill, but we lost at least a minute with that. So my 7:30 for the first mile was probably 6:30.

No sooner had we gotten to the top of the hill and turned around did Bailey stop to do her business. Fortunately the rest of the walk went pretty smoothly (though always annoying carrying a bag of crap). As usual, I dropped her off when our 1.2 miles were up, gave her some ice cubes, wiped off my sweat, took a couple gulps of water, and I was off again. But I don't recall feeling any pain anywhere, so yeah.

My second trip resulted in 6:23 for the first half and 6:36 for the second half, so pretty respectable. I ran for another 8 minutes around my street and the field at the end of it. Then I decided to run another 5:30, just so I could hit the 40-minute mark. Sure, there were some rests in there, but all in all, I feel good. I felt my left hamstring pain just for a bit, as well as my right knee pain for a different bit. But, again, it was good.

In fact, I kind of want to run a 5k. Hopefully soon.

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!