I went for a 5 km run with Baci this morning. Because it was a 'short' run I wanted to make it count so I decided to use it as a speed/ interval run. Fartleks (tee hee hee) are used to help increase your overall speed so that your sense of normal gets challenged and thus you start to increase your sense of 'normal'.
Every training chart will have you do a few fartleks (smile) mixed in with your regular runs.
Running with a dog is perfect for this exercise. Baci tends to want to sprint right out the door and I need a few minutes to work out all aches and pains and get into pace. We must have looked a bit out of sorts for that first block or so. We take a few blocks to settle into a pace that we both are ok with. If we start out too fast, I am dragging him behind me by the end and I end up wanting to sleep for the rest of the afternoon (which is fine for him -- but not for me!).
We got into a good pace and we both felt strong and happy. He showed it by wagging his tail and doing a dog smile (aka drooling). I showed it by singing along to P!nk, Bon Jovi, and Florence & The Machine. As soon as he saw another dog-- woosh-- he was off to say hello, with me SPRINTing to keep up. The interval training had begun! He took 20 seconds to sniff and get tangled in the other dog's leash then we were off again at our regular pace when he saw another dog-- woosh-- we were off again! After another little break, I decided to keep up this new found pace and make it our 'normal'. Now instead of Baci leading me to my faster pace, he kept me in check by stopping at every large tree to pee. Really, do you need to pee at EVERY large on EVERY block????
Baci's pee breaks are a welcome slow down for me though. I would never consider taking a moment to catch my breath so he is the perfect excuse! Afterall, a dog has to pee right?
So, today's 5 km was a success. We didn't over do it. I feel good this afternoon and am looking forward to my next run and Baci, well, he is his regular goofy, drooly sense of dog.
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