Beautiful Morning

It is a beautiful morning. Ares and I took off around 8:00 for a morning run. He's doing better. I think he gets too tired if we run every day, so I am trying to give him (and myself) a day or two off in between runs. I may end up running some days without him. We'll see.

We did the usual Riverside loop, sprint up the hill, to the library (not around it this time), and then back to do a sprint up half of the hill. We ended up with 3.3 miles. It was a good mixture of running and walking, with more running.

One thing really bothers me on these runs -- all the dogs that are loose. The owners may know they won't hurt us, but we don't. There was one at Riverside Park, so we had to stop until his owners got him. There was the same one that is ALWAYS loose on Jefferson, so we had to chase that one away. Then there was one by the florist, and we had to chase that one away. Because of all of these loose dogs, I cannot take both Ares and Ese for a walk by myself. I can't protect both dogs. And if I cross the street to get away from them, I'm afraid they will run out in the street and get hit by a car. Why can't dog owners take responsibility?

That's my rant for the day.

Gotta run ...

Making Progress

Ares and I are making progress with our runs. I gave him yesterday off -- we only went for two short walks and did no running. This morning it is a nice, relatively cool morning, so I decided we were going to try to run.

I had to practically drag Ares the first few blocks. I decided I was going to turn around at Riverside Park, bring him back home, and go off by myself. But, by the time we reached the park, Ares saw a rabbit or two and decided he did want to go for at least a fast walk. We gradually worked into a run, and by the time we finished he was running. I think he will sleep well today!

We did the Riverside loop with the sprint up the hill by my house to Jefferson, over to Clinton (we didn't go to the library this time). Then we went back and did a "mini-Riverside" loop with a sprint up half the hill. We ended up with 3.35 miles, and the better part of the last 2.25 miles was mostly running.

Gotta run ...

Monday Morning Run

Well, today started out with a not-so-good run. Ares was very reluctant to even go outside this morning. I don't quite understand it. It is a nice, cool morning, not too hot, and a little overcast, which makes it good for being outside. He tripped me twice (not on purpose, I hope), and just kept pulling at the leash. Ares and I ended up BARELY finishing the Riverside Loop, and I felt more stressed than when we had started out.

So, I decided to drop him off at home and go for a solo run. It was nice! No dog was pulling at me trying to get home, and I was able to listen to music (Ares doesn't like it when I have the ipod). I ended up with about 1.8 miles with Ares (I turned off my GPS to stop and let him "do his business" and forgot to turn it back on), and then 2.15 miles by myself. So, I almost hit 4 miles today. And now I feel more relaxed.

I think I will follow this routine. If Ares does not feel like running, I'll get his Riverside Loop walk/run in, and then go off by myself. I'll take him the entire time if he feels like running. That way he gets at least some exercise every morning, and I can get my runs in.

Knee is .... OK.

Gotta run ...

Another Saturday Morning

I didn't get out and run any mornings this week. I did get quite a few walks in, though.

Today is a nice, fairly cool morning. Ares got up at 6:00 a.m. to eat, so after he was finished I put on my running gear and off we went. At first he was reluctant to run, but then he started chasing squirrels and enjoyed himself. We did the usual Riverside loop, sprint up the hill, and then went to the library. Riverside is finally paved, so that part of the run was nice and smooth.

We ended up with 3 miles. The first 2 miles were mainly running, and the last mile was probably half running. I hope to get him (and myself) back up to at least a 3 mile run before the summer 5K's start.

Gotta run ...

Ares post-run

Ares decided he needed a shower, too. Now if I can just teach him how to open the shampoo bottle ...

Saturday Morning Run - sort of

I've been walking a lot this week, but have not run since Sunday. I have to fight the feeling that I need to give this up. My ankle, knee, and now big toe (all on my left side) have been sore. My left toe/foot had some spasms that made me stop in my tracks.

But, I have banished the thought of giving up running. It is a beautiful morning. So, Ares and I went off this morning. We did the usual Riverside Loop (trying to avoid all the holes still present from all of the street work), the sprint up the hill, and then we walked/ran to the library. We saw the sun over the river from the library grounds. We actually did more running than I thought we would. We ended up with just over 3 miles total.

My ankle is now fairly sore, but the pain in my foot started to go away after about 1/2 mile. Mentally I feel great. I'll just have to slowly build up on the ankle. So, here we go again.

Gotta run ...

Sunday Morning Run

Ares and I didn't run yesterday, but Ares and I did get three walks in (one with my daughter Kate, one with my son Earl, and one with Earl and the chihuahua, Ese). We probably walked 5-6 miles total.

We went for a decent run/walk this morning. We ran most of the 2-mile Riverside loop with the usual sprint up the hill. Then we went for our cool-down walk. Ares started limping a bit, but he still wanted to walk. We ended up by the library again. It was a beautiful morning and Ares enjoyed being by the river. He eventually stopped limping. He may have just had a stone or something in his paw. So we ended up with just over three miles.

He's enjoyed himself since we got home. I decided to get the lawn mowed before I took a shower and went on with my day, so he spent most of the morning outside. He can't decide if he needs to protect me from the mower, or if he should be very afraid himself. I let him explore it when it was off, so he did relax a bit, enjoy the sunshine, and just watched me mow. Now he will probably rest most of the day. I believe when he gets three walks in a day (with one sometimes running), he is much calmer in the evening and sleeps well.

Gotta run ...

Friday Morning Run

I'm off to pick up Earl from college today, so I wanted to attempt to wear Ares out. We first ran the usual 2-mile Riverside loop. He's so smart -- we got to the hill by my house, and even though he was tired he started sprinting up the hill.

We then started our usual cool-down walk. It is such a beautiful morning that I decided we should walk a little further. We ended up by the library, and I took a few pictures with my cell phone. Ares was unsure of all the smells by the river. After the library, we walked/ran home. We ended up with three miles today. He's still a little wound up, but I think by the time I leave he will be ready to nap.

Gotta run ...

Not much of a run

Well, Ares and I got up and started off on another early morning run. But, ONE of us apparently was too tired to run. And it wasn't me. So we ended up walking most of the two miles. Ares protested a bit yesterday when it was time for his afternoon walk, so I guess he needed a break.

So, we went the Riverside loop with a "sprint" up the hill -- it wasn't much of a sprint, but it was at a little faster pace. Ares is now on the couch asleep, resting his weary legs.

Gotta run ...

Wow -- four days in a row

Well, thanks to Ese (our chihuahua), we made it four days in a row with the early morning run. Since Ares and I ended up with an extra walk yesterday, I was tentatively thinking of sleeping in this morning until at least 5:30 and taking one day off (just from the morning run). But, Ese had to go out early in the morning, and in the processes woke Ares up. So, since Ares was up, I figured we might as well run. We were out the door well before 5 a.m.

We did the usual Riverside loop and sprint up the hill (2 mile run) and then 1/2 mile cool-down walk. Every day it seems the run gets just a touch faster with fewer (and shorter) walk breaks, and the walk gets faster with more running mixed in. Ares was a little frightened because it was still dark, so I think that's why he wanted to run faster! He's getting to really know the route, and he's smart enough to know the difference when we walk it as compared to when we run it. When we walk the route, we don't sprint up the hill. This morning he turned and ran right up the hill.

All and all, it was another good run. And with three walks in addition to the run yesterday, I'm feeling pretty good about my ankle. It's hanging in there and slowly getting better. Even though I like the longer runs, I will work towards that again and be healthier. The nice thing about these shorter runs is I don't spend the rest of the day feeling aches and pains like I did with the longer runs. I'm hoping that by slowly building back towards the 6-mile runs, I'll feel great all day long.

Gotta run ...

Three days in a row

Well, Ares and I made it three days in row. We started off shortly after 5 a.m. this morning. We ran most of the two miles this time, with 2 stops for him to do his business, and then one to sniff some things on the ground (Ares, not me). And, the 1/2 mile cool down was at a pretty fast paced walk. I'll give it another week or so, and then maybe we'll add 1/2 mile. We also get at least one, if not two, more walks in each day. So, we're putting in 5 - 6 miles most days. And, so far my ankle is holding up pretty well.

Ares is a little afraid of the dark, so it was an interesting run. I have a hat with lights, and that made him feel somewhat better. Whenever he heard a noise, though, he'd get a little frightened. He didn't see the rabbits, squirrels, or birds that were out and about this early morning. He did try to chase a few cars, though :)

The picture is how he recovers after a run. I have to work. He gets to sleep. Ah, the life of a dog.

I'm feeling much better about running again. I was afraid I'd have to give it up. I was disappointed I could not run the Flying Pig Marathon (it was yesterday), but there will be more races. Maybe I'll stick with 5K and 1/2 marathons for a whle.

Gotta run ...

Another day

Ares and I made it for another run today. We did basically the same thing as yesterday. On our two-mile run, we did a little less walking than we did on Saturday, and a little more running on our 1/2 mile cool down. My ankle feels ... OK. Yesterday we ended up going for two more walks during the day, and that loosened it up a bit.

It's a fairly nice day outside. The sun is out but it is a little cool. I did manage to run without gloves, but my ears got a little chilly. Ares likes this weather the best, however.

Ares is still such a silly puppy. While we are out, he searches for recycling (he loves plastic bottles), sticks, and any flowers he can find. He's been known to chase a petal blowing in the wind. However, he will miss the rabbit or squirrel that is right in front of him. So while I am running, rather than keeping an eye out for any wildlife that will make him pull the leash, I have to watch for flowers!

Gotta run ...

Long Time, No Blog

I haven't written a blog in a while. That's because I haven't run in a while. I keep hurting my ankle and I'm to the point I'm afraid it's never going to be completely right again. Ever since I hurt it on my last run (see previous post) it doesn't seem to get better. Of course it doesn't help that the streets around here are so torn up. It is so easy to twist an ankle while just out for a walk.

Even though I haven't been running, I have been walking at least two miles a day. Some days, with multiple walks, it is closer to four miles. That keeps me active and is helping to strengthen my ankle, I hope.

I am trying again, very slowly this time. Ares and I are going to start out with two mile runs as many days a week as we can, and then build from there. This morning we ran the Riverside loop and the sprint up the hill by the house, with just a little bit of walking mixed in (when Ares needed to stop to do his business, sniff a branch, etc.). Then we walked for just over 1/2 mile. My ankle feels just a little tight, but at least it doesn't hurt.

Hopefully I'll be posting regularly again, even if it is just these short runs for a while.

Gotta run ...