Thursday Evening Run

I'm a little slow in posting this blog. I was busy last night.

Anyway, it was a nice, warm evening, for once. Ares and I started off and tried to keep a decent pace. However, he was tired and started getting too warm. I tried to get him to drink water out of a pop bottle, but he couldn't get the hang of it. So, we backed our pace off and did a lot of fast walking.

As we were coming off of the Jefferson Street bridge, we saw a person with a big dog in a yard. They had the dog under control, so we weren't concerned. All at once ANOTHER dog came at us and started barking, etc. I did not know the dog so I didn't know if it was trying to attack us or just investigate and play. I kicked the dog to get it away, and Ares and I almost ended up in the road. I twisted my ankle, and now it's swollen again. The owner called the dog and he went to him right away, but the damage was already done. Additionally, I was shaking so much I could barely walk, let alone run.

I'm told the person who owns the dogs is very nice and would feel badly if they knew what happened to my ankle. However, I'm sick and tired of people letting their dogs run loose. I can no longer take both dogs on a walk by myself, because when we encounter these loose dogs (which happens frequently), I cannot protect two dogs.

Anyway, it was not a good run. We ended up with 3.87 miles.

Gotta run .... If we can stay away from loose dogs

Perfect Starting Temperature -- for a Siberian Husky

It was cold this morning when Ares and I started out. I've run in colder weather, but for some reason it seemed worse this morning. Maybe it was the wind, or the fact that it is April and should be warmer :) If Ares hadn't needed a run, I likely would have turned around and decided to go another day. We are having a birthday party at our house today, and he needed burn some energy.

So, it was cold and windy when we started out. We took the usual back route to the high school. The trees helped block the wind, making it tolerable. Once we got out in the open again, however, the wind was very cold again. We continued home the usual route -- Jefferson, Riverside loop, and the sprint up the hill.

We didn't see any other runners out this morning. The only wildlife we saw were birds and many squirrels. Ares picked up recycling, as usual, but didn't bring a bottle all the way home. After dropping it several times in the road and getting pulled back when he tried to run out in traffic, he must have decided it wasn't worth it.

We ended up with about 4.21 miles. I used to run 6 miles most days, and now I'm getting 4 miles not even every day. But, if I counted the 2-3 long walks a day I take with Ares, the miles would add up. And, even though I'd like to be back at that 6 miles a day, at least I'm doing something, and I'm not giving up like I almost did last year. So, I'll keep running and gradually increase as the weather improves and as Ares gets more stamina.

Anyway, it was a good run and I'm glad I went. I'm still trying to warm up, though. Maybe some hot tea will fix that.

Gotta run ...

Wednesday Evening Run

It finally warmed up enough that I felt like running. I have not been very consistent, but it's probably better for my ankle anyway :) Ares and I have been taking many long walks, but I'm not logging those in this blog. We go for a long walk at least once a day; sometimes twice.

Ares has been very wound up today. I took him for a long walk at lunchtime (well, as long as I can in 1/2 hour). He was STILL very energetic, but it might have been partially due to those jelly beans he took! So, after getting everyone settled in for the evening, we took an early evening run.

We went the usual route -- the back way to the high school, Riverside loop, and the sprint up the hill by my house. He lost his energy about 1/2 way through the run, and we ended up with much walking the last mile or so (with some sprints -- especially if a bird or a car or any other moving thing came by). But, I think as long as we do something it's working towards me getting back in shape and getting him ready for running more with me as he grows. Now he's sleeping. We still ended up with 4.15 miles, so that's not too bad for a growing puppy. It's starting to cool down, so I decided to call it a night and not go for any run without Ares.

Gotta run ...

Beautiful Saturday Morning

I woke up today and it's a nice, crisp Spring morning. It is a little chilly - 32 degrees or so when I started out. I got Ares up and got ready for a training run. Just before we took off I told him he'd better get a drink of water before we left, and he did! He's a smart dog.

We walked for a bit before I turned on my Garmin to track our distance. He's getting better, but the first few blocks are a fight for control, over the leash, over him wanting to nip at my legs, over him wanting to pick up recycling, etc. But he knows to eventually give up or he won't get to run. And, just like me, he loves to run!

We went the back way past the high school and them home via Riverside. He did the sprint up the hill, reluctantly! It was probably 80% or more running this time, with a few "bathroom breaks" for Ares. I think I will stick with the same route for him for a while, not increase the distance, and work on getting our pace faster, with a goal of almost 100% running. Together we ended up going 4.16 mile.

I dropped him off at home, got a drink of water, and took of for a Riverside loop run to finish off. It felt strange to run without Ares. I went about 1.85 more miles. I stopped partway to pet a dog and turned off my Garmin, and I went about 1/4 of a mile before I realized I had not turned it back on. But I know the route well enough it I am able to approximate how far I ran. I ended up with a total of about 6 miles, which is what I used to run almost every day. I'd like to try for 6 miles on most days. I'm trying to get back in shape without aggravating my knee or my ankle, so we will see how it goes.

Gotta run...

Ares Training Run

I took Ares on another training run this evening. He ran more than he did the last time. It was probably 3/4 running. We took the same route, but then added a few blocks. It was relatively uneventful. Once he tripped and I didn't realize it -- I hope people driving by didn't think I was dragging this poor puppy! As soon as I stopped and brushed him off, he started running again.

My ankle is still a little sore, so I'm not pushing it. I went 4.15 miles with Ares, and I didn't run any more by myself. I did walk about 1/4 mile after I dropped him off.

Gotta run ...