I promise I'll be good!!

If Blue could talk that must have been what he was telling me. Why? Because I actually took him RUNNING with me last night. The reason this is surprising is because about 3-4 weeks ago I swore off running with him. He was still pulling hard, barking badly at little dogs and people and chasing squirrels and just generally being a pain in the ass! The day I came back from a run actually angry was the day I said I'm not taking him anymore. I run to feel good, not bad. Which is SAD. I LOVE to take him running and he loves to go running.

Enter the crap weather we had yesterday. Now don't get me wrong this has been the BEST WINTER EVER for running outdoors and dog walking. No snow, not really all that cold, a couple crappy days . . . I'm not complaining! But yesterday it just so happened that I really NEEDED to run. I couldn't put it off but I really wanted to. It had snowed during the day, wet snow that stayed on the ground just deep enough that you splash slush onto your other foot as you run, you know what I talking about. And it was windy. I didn't want to run. I almost wasn't going to. But along my drive I convinced myself I really should run. By the time I was home it was actually a hard drizzle and with the wind it just wasn't pretty. But I knew that no matter what I had to walk the dog and since I needed to run FOR SURE then I should just combine the two, suck it up, take Blue and hope for the best.

Blue was excited to go. I think he was slightly confused. He knew I was putting on the running gear which is different from the walking gear. So he seemed to sit calmly waiting. I think he wondered if he was actually going to get to go. Then I grabbed the choke chain collar - no way I was going with regular collar. Got him all set up. Got me all set up. Off we went.

We hit the first part of my path along which we encounter two little dogs. I run off the path onto the grass to avoid the first one. The second one, the lady is WATCHING us run towards her. As I get closer, I begin telling Blue - NO, NO. The lady can hear me - she still lets her dog cross the path to come towards Blue as if we are going to stop to meet. WTF?? Sometimes people irk me.

We continue along and fall into a nice rhythm. Blue is running nicely on his leash - not pulling. I'm confused. I keep waiting for this dream to end. It doesn't, he keeps running nicely. He's out in front of me a bit and he leads, taking the turns on his own, every single turn exactly where we need to go. This is NOT a daily walk or run. It's a monthly one. I'm so proud of him. We finish the run on a high note and I get back to the house
raving about the run.

What bad weather? All I noticed was my great dog.

6 months later - wow!!

Today was a run day. It’s been a long time since I’ve run and even longer since I've run with Blue for many reasons. He is walked twice a day so he’s still getting his exercise but it’s absolutely amazing how much this dog can run. He will run and run and run. Get home and look for balls to play with. He’s never looking to lay down and nap. He wasn’t too bad today. Not chasing too much but then again dead of winter, there isn’t too much to chase. Still pulling on the leash pretty bad but since his mommy hasn’t trained him properly, she can hardly complain. Plus it keeps her biceps lean and strong ;-)

We ran 6 km today – no problem. He would have gone longer. It’s me that has to take it easy and make sure I don’t overdo it – too much too soon.  We did run one other day last week in the wee hours of the morning. Just a 4k-ish run.  This is something I “could” potentially do everyday . . . since I’m walking him anyway why not just run?? Well that’s a wonderful thought in theory but putting into practice is a whole other matter. It’s easy to drag yourself out of bed at 5:30-6 a.m. and know you’re just going to meander slowly around the neighbourhood. It’s a whole other matter to put in the energy required to RUN! Lol

But my goal is to run twice a week in the mornings. And then ball hockey Wednesday nights for now. Longer runs Sunday mornings. The plan is there in my head. Just need to ensure that the body is following . . . “They” say your mind is in control . . .

So let’s see what happens this week. A Tuesday and Friday morning run . . .  I’ll let you know how it goes.