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 ...

Quick Post

I didn't get up this morning early enough for much of a run, so I took Ares on a short, brisk walk/run -- about 3/4 of a mile, but I didn't have my Garmin on to so that's not exact :)

This evening we went for a run. He was a little tired because he had his second "well puppy" checkup, but he was eager to run. We went about 3.4 miles, which is a lot for a little puppy. Well, he's not little; he's over 19 pounds! Probably 1/2 of it was walking (more walking towards the end), but it was more to get him used to one of my routes, the traffic, the scenery, and so forth.

I dropped him off at home, and then went a little more by myself. I'm still nursing the ankle and trying not to overdo it, so I only went about 2.32 miles. So, all together I did end up with 5.74, and that does not include this mornings mileage.

At least I'm trying to get out some every day, and I don't think Ares will let me go a day without running anyway.

Gotta run ...

Run???

Well, I didn't plan to run today. My ankle is a little sore from yesterday, and I don't want to push it.

However, when I returned home from taking Kate to voice lessons, Ares was extremely wound up. So, I decided a walk was in order. I had on my winter coat, blue jeans, and no "real" running clothes, but luckily I decided to wear a pair of running shoes.

We started off walking, and by the time we got to the neighbor's house, Ares started running. So, off we went. We did a short run -- just down to Riverside Park, up a few blocks, and home. So it was probably about 3/4 of a mile. And it was unplanned. But, a run is a run, I suppose. And I did feel better after the short run -- my muscles weren't as sore. I guess I deserve it -- I did say I wanted a dog that would push me to run ...

Gotta run ...

I'm Back

I'm back running. First, I hurt my ankle and my knee playing indoor soccer. I had forgotten how much of a contact sport even recreational soccer can be! Then, just when I figured it was time to try out my ankle (actually it was probably too soon), I came down with bronchitis. I'm at the end of week two of that, so I decided to try a run today. I have been taking some long, brisk walks in an attempt to strengthen my ankle and not get too far out of shape.

Oh, there something more to say first. I have a new running partner! He's pretty quiet most of the time, and all he asks for is some food, water, and a little petting now and then. He's a Siberian Husky puppy named Ares! He was born January 20th, 2009, so he's still just a young puppy. He's doubled in size since we got him about a month ago and is now bigger, much bigger, than our chihuahua.

Now back to the run. Since Ares is in training mode and I wanted to try out my ankle first, I started out by myself. I took the back loop as usual, but not all the way to the high school. It went better than I expected, with just a few walking breaks. I did have one coughing fit, but I survived. I went 3.5 miles.

Then I stopped at home and woke Ares for his training. He ran the first 1/4 mile at a pretty good pace, then he needed to walk a bit. We did a combination of running and walking, and we ended up with 2.1 miles. He even did the sprint up the hill at the end -- how I usually end all of my runs. Well, it was only about 3/4 of the way up before he had to walk, but that's pretty good for a rookie! Now, of course, he can sleep most of the day if he wants. Huskies have a lot of energy, though, so this will be good for him. Plus, now even if I don't feel like running some days, he will probably insist on it.

So, I'm back, and I ended up with a total of 5.6 miles. I feel better than I thought I would. I feel great, actually! My ankle seems to be OK, and it was so much fun to get outside and run. The weather is supposed to turn nasty again -- possibly SNOW -- but I'll find away. I have not yet pulled out of the Flying Pig Marathon (5 weeks), so maybe I will be able to at least participate in it, even if I don't meet even my slowest time so far. Now if I can just lose that 10 pounds I "found" over the winter and my running break.

Gotta run...