Even though Gretel and I started our path to better fitness on December 31st, Tuesday was our first “run” of the Pooch to 5k training program.
One of my goals this year is to run a 5k with her. I found over 40 dog friendly races in Western Washington!
I know it’s very important for people to be active on a regular basis. I can feel how important it is! I haven’t regularly and consistently done any endurance fitness activities for years and I can feel it. I get winded just going up a flight of stairs!
The same goes for dogs too though. Our friends over at SlimDoggy recently wrote about the benefits of canine endurance training. Dogs who are “weekend warriors” and aren’t active several times a week can get injured when they do go out.
I am pretty sure I have publicly “committed” to this 5k goal before but I never did it. Life always got in the way. I am not going to let it this year. It’s sure not going to be easy though.
I remember from my marathon training days that it takes A LOT of mental fortitude to stick with something like this. You just have to set your mind to it and get outside whether you feel like it or not. It also takes planning and making it a priority in your weekly schedule. I know that not everything in life can be set aside but, honestly, it does take prioritizing the training over some “important” things like going to the movies with friends.
Since Gretel is a dog and sucks at planning, the responsibility for making this happen falls on me 🙂
So how did we do the first week? Well, we did it! It wasn’t easy!
I’m proud though. Yeah, I am painfully aware that it’s not too hard to stick with a goal for a week. It’s keeping at it that is the real challenge. However, I learned last year that I need to celebrate the baby steps so I’m going to.
I found out there are so many “little reminders” I’ll have to experience all over again.
One day I put off our run/walk until it was almost too dark. Yes, we can run in the dark if we have all of the lights and reflectors on but I prefer not to. We WILL do it if it’s the only way we can make it happen though. So the reminder here was to pay attention to daylight hours and to dig out all of our safety lights in case we need them.
I have to find a new system to carry my water, keys, cell phone, poop bags, etc. while I’m running. While I LOVE my Dog Mom purse, it’s not practical for running. I have the waist pack that I used 10 years ago but it was “not the worst” system even back then. It was the best I could find but still not ideal. I know that running accessories have come a long way in 10 years so I need to revisit my options.
I have to get the meal timing down again. I know from my past experience that I need to wait at least an hour after eating to run. I know that dogs can get bloat – a serious and sometimes deadly condition – if they vigorously exercise right before or after eating. From what I’ve read, you should wait one hour after feeding to exercise your dog, and not feed them until one hour after the exercise, to help prevent it. That means I have to coordinate BOTH meals – Gretel’s and mine – around our Pooch to 5k training.
I have to remember that some days everything will go wrong and that’s ok. This week, we started with the easiest running and walking routine in the Pooch to 5k program. I REALLY didn’t want to do it. I forced myself out the door only to find that the battery my Fitbit, that I use to track my time and distance with, was almost dead. My calves hurt and I felt like I was starting to get shin splints. Gretel refused to run. She has NEVER refused to run, even when the temperature was colder and it was rainy. I had to carry her back to the house while I walked briskly to get my heart rate up and finish the jog alone.
I have to finally accept that Chester can’t come running with us. He fools me because he will break out in a run when we walk or hike but then he becomes an anchor when I want to get some real running done. I know I walk faster during the Pooch to 5k training sessions than I do on a hike or casual stroll. He just doesn’t keep up (which is totally understandable – he’s old) so I end up stretched out with one dog pulling and one dragging. It makes me sad that he can’t come though.
I know all of this will get easier as Gretel and I get further into the training. If all goes well, we should be ready in April.
HAPPY HAZEL says
Great post! Thank you for remind us to set our mind to it and get outside! 🙂 We are also planning on running 5k together first time in this year. There’s one coming up in Hollywood in April. 😉 Good luck on your training! <3
Jessica Rhae says
Yay! Good luck on your training too.
Barbara says
They have little strollers for dogs. Maybe in the early training he could go with you in one of those! Thanks about the 1 hr befor/after eating rule. Didn’t know that.
Jessica Rhae says
I do own a stroller for him for when he can’t walk far anymore. Unfortunately, I am very prone to injury going back into this so besides the actual running, the only extra thing I can do is hold onto a leash.
Oz the Terrier says
I am looking at the Pooch to 5k Program after this! Thanks for the heads up on it. I know you can do this…you just have to get through a couple of weeks for it to become “routine” and then you will be well on your way to running that 5k.
Mary says
You can do it….You can do it!!!
Genevieve says
So exciting! This will be a great adventure!
Hailey and Zaphod says
Keep at it.
I was listening to a PodCast on the way home today, you may find helpful in goal setting. The podcast is the one you feed and it was episode 108 – John Lee Dumas. He gave a lot of hits about sticking to a goal.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks. I’ve heard his podcasts are great.
Slimdoggy says
Good luck with your fitness plan. That’s a good goal to start with something short and build up. ANd it’s always good to have a running partner!
Jessica Rhae says
Gretel is the best too. We did our second day of training last night and she ran like the champ like she always does. I guess she just had a really bad day the first time.
MattieDog says
Go Jessica and Gretel – you is gonna have so much fun! Heck, it really doesn’t matter if you run, win, walk or come in last, it’s that you took the journey! Blessings and we’ll be cheering you on!
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks for the encouragement. Getting off the couch and out the door every training day feels like winning for us right now 🙂
Diane @ To Dog With Love says
That looks like a cool program. Good luck with your training! We are upping our cardio training this year, too. We both need more endurance for agility!
Jessica Rhae says
I bet. Agility seems a lot like soccer to me – a lot of sprinting with short rests. I about died when I tried to play soccer. Ha, ha. I’m definitely a slow and steady wins the race kind of person.
Beth says
Barley and I started the couch to 5k program in August or September–we are taking a break until spring when we don’t have to worry about running on icy sidewalks (it’s hard enough to convince myself to walk when it’s icy–and we both love walking!), but we’ll be cheering you and Gretel on in the mean time 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what solution you come up with for running with all the needed dog gear. I got a running belt that holds my phone, car key, and poop bags well and found a few shorts/pants with pockets deep enough for treats; things got a little better when I also needed a light jacket and had two more pockets, but I still feel like there has to be something more practical out there!
Jessica Rhae says
That’s awesome that you guys already started the program! I don’t blame you for wanting to stay off of icy sidewalks. We’re “unlucky” in Seattle because it rains often but lucky because the streets are safe to run on, and the temperatures tolerable, all-year round. I’ll be sure to share if I find the PERFECT carrying-stuff solution when running. I don’t like a lot of things in my pockets, things bouncing, heavy things, etc. so I am REALLY picky. Good luck when you pick training back up in the spring.
Emma says
Good luck! A 5k is super doable! One thing when we run, we are not allowed to stop and refuse to keep running. Mom can tell when we are doing it because we aren’t in the mood and it doesn’t fly with her. We always train first thing in the morning as there are no excuses not to. Later in the day, things come up, you get tired, etc. Setting a goal is the first step, now you and Gretel need to put away the excuses and start working together! Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Winter training can be tough here because of ice, but Mom and Bailie still get out most of their scheduled running days.
Jessica Rhae says
Mornings are the times I am most likely to get things done too. I used to put working out during that time on my calendar. Now, with my own business, I need to use the time when I am most motivated and sharpest for work 🙁 I’m adjusting to a routine of working and then running after as a segway into evening relaxing and “me time”. Thanks for the encouragement!
Earl Lover says
Go guys!! We believe in you!
Tenacious Little Terrier says
I keep debating whether or not I should take up running with Mr. N but I haven’t yet. Let us know if you find a good running pack!
Barbara Rivers says
Good luck with your goal – you can do it!! Place your alarm out of your physical reach so that you can’t hit the snooze button in the mornings. That way you’ll be forced to get up and out of bed to turn it off.
We always start our days with a (backpack) morning walk, and couldn’t imagine not sticking to this routine. It really makes a lot of sense to exercise in the mornings because both humans and dogs are full of energy after the nighttime sleeping hours 😉
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks.
Unfortunately, I can’t exercise first thing in the morning. It’s definitely true that it’s easier to stick with it if you get it out of the way first thing but early morning is my sharpest time mentally. Now that I have my own consulting business, I must reserve that time for working on projects. I worked M – F 8 to 5 when I was training for my Marathon so I had to get used to running first thing after work. That’s what I’ve been doing now – putting in my “work day” and then running right after I’m done. I really do look forward to it as a way of separating my “work brain” from my “rest-of-life brain”.
2 Brown Dawgs says
Good luck with your training. We wait two hours after feeding to do heavy exercise and then do not feed until one hour after training to prevent bloat. You have to be careful of water consumption because that can cause issues too. Smaller amounts over time rather than one big drink. When we are hunt test training we usually find it easier to wait the hour after training to feed, but we normally train during the day day or after work.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks for the tips. Your pups exercise way more than Chester and Gretel (well, until maybe this year 🙂 ) so I respect your opinion. Good reminder about the water too.
Jani says
Hi Jessica! I am a new reader (LOVE your blog!!), and recently started a 5k training with my 1.5 year old doxie. He is in very good shape, as we often go on very long walks/hikes. However, being new to running with my little pup, I often find myself wondering “At what point is Riley TOO tired to keep going?”. I know a little heavy breathing is fine, but I am not sure that I’m educated enough to know when enough is enough for his little legs. Any advice?