running - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

flyingduster · 12-24-2009, 09:09 PM

Does anyone on here go running???

I'm not a runner. What is the point??? lol. Paris loves running though.

For some totally unknown reason though, on the 1st of December, I started the "Couch to 5km" program, where they reckon they can get anyone from being a couch potato, to running a full 5km (OR 30 mins) without a break. Reading their forums on there, it's amazing the number of people much older, heavier, and less fit than me that have gotten out there and have completed it, so here I was, sitting at the computer and just decided I'd do it too.

I don't know WHY, I'm definitely not someone who enjoyed running. But it's something I can do with no money, with my dog, whenever I feel like going out and doing it. So I am.

The first day of the program on Dec 1st nearly killed me, I am sooooooooooo not fit! 8 separate bursts of 60-second running was just WAY more than my jiggling body could cope with! Paris thought I was nuts.

Yesterday, I completed my first run of 5 mins straight! Paris thinks it's great!

In theory, next week I might be tackling my first 20 min run!

Dare I say it, I'm now enjoying running.... heh.

Boxing day tomorrow, and I tackle those 5 min runs again. Wish me luck!

Alicia · 12-25-2009, 07:26 AM

FD, I wish I would have known you were doing this.....I would have joined you in your efforts (from mile away of course). I have always wanted to do a 5K run. I too am WAY out of shape, but send me the info if you can maybe via PM.

At any rate....I am rooting for you GOOOOOO FD you can do it!!!

Fluffyspoos · 12-25-2009, 07:56 AM

I want to start running not to lose weight, but to put more on! It's hard to be a groomer when half the dogs are stronger than you! I just can't modivate myself to do it.. I'm really hoping that I'll run when I get my poodle, like I keep telling myself I'll do. (it's part of my new years resolution)

flyingduster · 12-25-2009, 09:29 AM

Alicia, just check out www.c25k.com for all the info. I've just tackled the 3rd day of week 4, but I'll be repeating it all next week cos there's no way I've conquered it yet! I was actually expecting to have to repeat a lot more weeks up until now, but have managed to get through the first 3 totally fine! Looking on the c25k forums, many many people have a lot of trouble with week 4 and have to repeat too.

Give it a go, I find it's soooooo much easier when you have a schedule to follow. 5km is *daunting*, but heck, I can tackle some lil 60 second runs. Yes they nearly killed me, but I DID them! And I can run for 5 mins now! hehe. I can't wait to get through my second round of week 4 next week and start tackling longer runs!

haha yeah fluffy, some of the dogs are mighty strong! I've always been a big girl though, and while I'm not an overly active person, I've never had a sedentary job or anything either.
Yes I'm overweight, but to be honest I'm not concerned about the weight. I'd like to loose some inches, sure, but I really just want to be fitter and healthier all around. Weight loss from that would be a bonus. lol!!

And yes, a poodle is good motivation! They certainly love doing it!!! But if you get a pup then it's not a good idea for it to be pounding the pavement with you until it's older anyway, so maybe you need to start into running now and do it for yourself!!!

FD

Fluffyspoos · 12-25-2009, 04:22 PM

Yeah, the running thing will come later with the poodle. The boyfriend and I want to rescue a corgi, and THAT dog will need some running lol. Can you run earlier with shorter dogs like corgis? (not for like.. 10 miles.. like around the block a couple times)

flyingduster · 12-25-2009, 06:06 PM

I'm sure it'd be fine for the lil guys, they need exercise as much as the big ones! A nice fit corgi would be awesome. lol!!!
The first few weeks the longest spurt of running is 3 mins, with walking inbetween, I'm just on week 4 now and doing the 5 min runs is HARD, so hence I'm doing it again next week! lol! But it's a gradual build up of exercise, so I think it'd actually be good for the dogs too, cos it'll build THEM up to pounding the pavement too.

taxtell · 12-25-2009, 06:12 PM

Flyingduster:
I just want to say, "Way to go!"
I think that it is awesome, what you are doing.
I may try it myself.
I currently use our elliptcal 30 minutes 3x a week, I may have to step it up.

flyingduster · 12-25-2009, 06:26 PM

I should also point out that even for the people that are already fit, it's recommended they follow a slow build up like the c25k program too, cos just because you might be ABLE to run the time/distance, your joints and body certainly aren't used to pounding the pavement/tredmill; and we all know running is a high impact sport! Building it up gradually like the program does is great.

There are some on the forums who use an elliptical with the program too taxtell, for the low impact aspect!

And I'll also say that reading the c25k forums has helped cos I found out about 'chi running' before I'd even started, and so far I've not had a single problem with sore joints or anything (which I have gotten simply by pounding out the miles walking before). Chi running is simply being aware of your posture, and having a good posture while running so the whole running thing doesn't pound your joints.

WonderPup · 12-25-2009, 09:06 PM

I don't run and doubt that I will try though I do want to get really serious about working out again after baby is born. Not that I was working out or in good shape when I got prego but I was several years ago really enjoying it and feeling great.

Im impressed that you're doing this though. Awesome

flyingduster · 12-28-2009, 12:03 PM

well, here I am tackling 'week 4' all over again, and if my darn shoe lace had have stayed tied up then I might have made it.... Maybe I wouldn't have anyway, but if I tell myself that I COULD have, then I know I can do it next time, right?

I'm running on the beach now! I was running at some local football fields, simply cos they were tucked out of the way where few people could see me jiggling my way around the grass, panting and puffing with a white poodle looking at me like I'm nuts. heh. But now my running spurts are getting longer, I mean 60 seconds around a side or two of a football field was fine, but 5 mins of it is dead boring, so we have progressed to trying out the beach....

Remembering it's summer here too, so it's warm sunny mornings (I run at 6am, I get up when hubby leaves for work) running along the packed sand at the beach with waves crashing beside us.... I'm starting to rather enjoy this whole thing! The only problem is the OTHER dogs at the beach.... Paris is good, but another dog rushing up to us to play with her is difficult for her to not want to go and play with, and running with that going on around my legs proves to be hard work! I keep Paris on a lead so she has no option once we're beyond the crowding dog to simply leave it behind, but ugh is it ever a pain in the ass until we're past it, and it happened a few times this morning!!!

I am thinking I'll get up WHEN hubby leaves for work, rather than 6am, and that 15 mins earlier might be enough that there'll be fewer people running their pets on the beach. There was another runner with his dog, but his dog was as good as Paris, and knew to stick with it's running owner so it wasn't worth much more than a look from Paris!

Onward and upward; it's a rest day tomorrow, and back into it on thurs!

FD