Monday, October 21, 2013

Running with a Puppy

We got a puppy on September 14.  She was six weeks old.  She was a tiny thing.  She will always be quite small.  Her name is Hazel.  She is a min pin/shih-tzu mix, making her a Pin-tzu.  We didn't know how she would ever do with running.  Her legs are about 4 inches long.  About 1 1/2 weeks ago, we put her on her leash and brought her on a walk.  She ran a lot of the way.  We knew then that she may just be a runner.

I brought her running for the first time on Saturday.  We ran two miles.  She whined a bit, but she kept up.  Tonight I brought her running again.  She ran 2 1/2 miles.  She didn't whine, she just ran.  We got on the trail and she seemed to really enjoy that.  We were just going to do laps around the park, until a lot of kids came out of the school.  They all wanted to play with her and she wanted to play with them, which makes it difficult to run.  It was then that I decided I should jump on the trail.

Once I was on the trail, there were a few other people.  One man got a good laugh out of her and I running.  She is such a small thing.  I think that this is the time to get her used to running.  The funny thing is, I worry about a predator bird coming down and trying to take her.  Of course, I have her on a leash.  I think I have blogged enough times that it should be a given that I don't like when I see dogs off their leash.  I wouldn't think that someone would like to see mine off her leash, even though she it small.

We ran about a 12 minute mile.  I think that is a good pace for a little one.  She will only get better.  She likes to sprint every so often, so it like I am getting in my fartlek training.

My children love to go on walks/runs with her.  They look forward to it now.  Even (especially) my oldest daughter.  She used to not be really excited about going out and walking/running, but she is now.  It is amazing how a puppy can change your life!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Each Little Step

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and just wish that you could super glue yourself to the bed, just to have a good reason not to get out of the bed?!  I have been having many of those days.  I am not sure if it is because the weather has been getting so much colder or if I am just THAT depressed. 

Those days are the days that each little steps matters.  I know on these days that I can't expect myself to go on a run.  I am pleased with just taking steps.  They don't even have to be big steps.  Baby steps will work on these days.

I just need to remember that before it gets dark!  I don't like being out there in the dark.  I got bit by a dog in the dark.  That wasn't fun!  I prefer that over other things that happen to people in the dark though. 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

When Did Two Miles...?

When did two miles get so hard?!  I decided that I should lace up my running shoes last Saturday, so I did.  My toddler has been sick for a little while so I hadn't run in a while.  I decided I would get started easy.  I would do two miles. 

I have been doing a lot of reading about running.  I guess I thought that was a good replacement while I was not running.  I read that you should run really hard every so often.  I decided the two mile run would be a good time to put a lot of energy into it.  I didn't time myself, but what I can say is that I left almost everything I had in that two mile run.  It felt good when I got home, sweat pouring down my face.  I love to sweat.  I feel like I am actually accomplishing something when I sweat.

I need to find another race.  I need to get myself signed up and get going.  It is the only thing that makes me think I absolutely have to get out there and run.  I don't like to waste my money.

My toddler still isn't feeling too well and I am started to think she might have shared.  We shall see!