Running with and without the dog

Since I started (sort of) running again, I have tried to do it sans dog more often than not. The dog tends to want to stop and sniff, and, more annoying, do her business. Running with a plastic bag of Bailey's waste is not very pleasant.

This morning, however, Bailey actually went to the bathroom in our yard. So, I decided I would take her with me. We ran the usual route, and she stopped to sniff only a few times. Each time I pulled her away, and it was fine. I did the 1.2 mile trip in about 13 minutes, although I did not time it. I was actually kind of glad she was slowing down going up the huge hill at the halfway point.

Since I had not run in six days, I decided to drop her back off at home, and go out again. I repeated the same run I had just been on. My timing was about what it was last week, although since I had just run it, I think that makes my timing an improvement. This time around, I ran 6:20 on the way up and 6:27 on the way back. When I finished that run, I ran for another 6:30 around my street and up and down the field at the end of the street.

So I got in about 3 miles. And I ran for over 30 minutes (with that quick break in between to drop the dog off). It was a little humid; the temps felt warmer than the 65 or so degrees my weather app claimed. This presented a challenge with my prescription sunglasses as they kept sliding down my nose do their heaviness (and my sweat).

My knees hurt a little, but my hamstring hurt less than usual. I will probably next go out Thursday or Friday.

A longer run

The running thing is going okay. On Monday, before I went out of town for most of the workweek, I got in a short (but long for me) run. I think I broke it in half, but I really don't recall. Then I was out of town for the next four days where I ate pretty much non-stop.

Saturday morning, I decided I had better get back on track. And since it was supposed to hit almost 90, I figured I had better run in the morning. So I leashed the dog, and off we went. We jogged/ran for about 11 minutes before Bailey decided to squat and go. Sigh. So I turned around after that and headed home. After dropping her "present" and her off, I went back out for another just over 11 minutes. All told, I ran about 26 minutes, so surely I ran over 2 miles. It was tough and humid and over 70 degrees, but I did it.

Unfortunately my knees hurt a bit yesterday, so I may not be able to keep up this running 2-3 times per week deal. I will just have to see how I feel tomorrow night.

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!