DMD - Do you know if any other type of dog racing (without agility) that dogs can compete in? I.e 400 meter/mile runs/etc. where the dog gets the prize?
How many meters do you think your dog covers in a typical agility race?
@nahnah12, I have the same problem with feeling self-conscious when trying something new. I hope you’re able to go try the class a few more times - maybe with another instructor who might be a bit more “newbie” friendly?
Hope WildChild feels the benefits of those antibiotics quickly!
Big winds last night so we opted not to run outside this morning. 3.3 on the treadmill was about all I could take. Looking at possible snow and wind tomorrow. This weather!
Sending the healing mojo to @MichaelNKat and @MomofWildChild S.
Here’s what you need, @MichaelNKat – https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/02/24/can-they-that-startup-delivers-lemonade-with-very-special-gift/bAt5jgWQXk2hJ8MHTNPWQP/story.html Not sure if you can open the link without subscribing to the Globe? It’s an article about a service that delivers lemonade, with a side of weed. Even though MA legalized marijuana, there are no places yet that can legally sell it. BUT, you can give it away, or some such. So, this service sells the lemonade for $55 and throws in the weed for free.
Quick 45 minutes on the Arc this morning. I’m the designated driver for H’s colonoscopy. He’s having it done right near where D works, so at least I get to have with her while I’m waiting. More wedding talk…
5.1 Napa miles around the resort and the industrial park. Cool, crisp and flat. I did ok, but 5 miles is about all that can be done without driving somewhere.
@ohiopublic – lure coursing is for sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets, etc). It’s all about DOG speed, though, as the handler doesn’t run with the dog. In lure coursing, the dog chases after a lure (usually a white plastic grocery bag) attached to a wire that runs on a circular track that takes the dog away from the handler and then back. This is the AKC’s page on the subject: http://www.akc.org/events/lure-coursing/
In tracking, no extra points are given for speed but a lot of tracking handlers trot after their dogs (who are generally on a twenty-foot line attached to a tracking harness).
The distance the dog covers in dog agility is measured in yards and generally varies between 150 yards and 175 yards on a typical course (shorter for the courses at the introductory competition levels). The handler’s goal is always to run shorter distances than that. The standard course time (the dog gets points for how much faster he is than SCT) is calculated based on the yardage of the course. FWIW, my dog runs a typical jumpers course at about 6 yards/sec (which converts to slightly faster than 12 mph or a 5-minute mile) for a total of 30 to 32 seconds, most of the time. The fastest border collies will run the same course at about 7 yards/sec.
The wind was insane last night and it just seemed so miserable out that I skipped running. Didn’t even feel guilty about it, which is a good thing for me. Tonight is a session at the gym with my trainer.
Hoosiermom - congrats on the great accomplishments since the beginning of the year. It sounds as if you’re doing a good variety of activities. I think one serving of sweets a day is perfectly reasonable (although I suppose it could depend on what you consider a serving). I have some kind of a treat every day and have no intention of ever giving that up.
MOWC - so glad to hear that your son’s issues can be treated with antibiotics. That was a nasty case of road rash!
I never would have thought of calling a local running store for advice on where to run - great idea! Usually if I can’t get any good info from the front desk people, I end up doing the treadmill. I will remember the idea to call a running store in the future!
MOfWC, that reminded me of my epic run fail in Silicon Valley in a business park with no sidewalks.
Welcome, hoosiermom and nahnah!
I usually do really well online scoping out running routes, and the hotels are usually a good resource. This hotel was not- and I think this pocket of Napa just really isn’t great for running. The running store has a lot of resources on their site, but I wasn’t sure where the routes were in relation to where I am! Hence, the call.
Had a long/crazy day of work today followed by two hours of tutoring. The past two weeks I had dr appointments on Friday, so I took those off. It worked out because I could go to the gym about an hour later than usual since I didn’t have to get up as early, so I got a nice little break before my run after work + tutoring. Not today!
I need to get myself up off this couch and go attempt a tempo run, which I will probably do really wrong. I think I’m just really overthinking these. I have no idea what I should do pace-wise, and I’m pretty sure that if I wanted to be serious about it, I’d be doing my runs at different paces than I do. So, all of the things I have read just cause more anxiety since you should be running +/1 whatever pace, and I have no idea. But I saw an article on runnersworld.com with some tempo runs that I will try: http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-coach-jenny/four-tempo-workouts-for-runners. I’m going to try the first one tonight.
I think it’ll be better when I can do my evening runs outside and I can just worry about my body and not putting a number into the treadmill.
So at work yesterday a coworker saw my screensaver (a photo of me running my last 5K) and asked if I ran marathons. Couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but said at this time just 5K’s. He responded “well at least you do SOMETHING”. Hey I am a few months away from 60 so I think I’m doing pretty well. Not sure if I was insulted or not but just going to laugh it off.
Hoping it warms up a bit so I can run and walk outside this weekend.
@FallGirl – you do a lot more than just something! You are a good person to laugh it off. There’s a whole big world between 5Ks at our age (at any age) and marathons and it all counts. Good for you!
Just got the final test results from this weird low ceruloplasmin level my dr noticed back in Nov. Retested twice to make sure it wasn’t just post-marathon stress, then went for more blood work and scans and one more CP test, plus copper.
Ever feel like you’re in the weird twilight zone of medicine where they don’t really know what’s wrong with you – they just order more tests? It seems like I do not have Wilson’s Disease (which sounds like the name of a Tom Hanks movie). I think I’m in the clear now. Will update later.
Take it as a compliment, @FallGirl - I’m sure that’s how it was intended. Running, walking, yoga - you do a lot!
Hope your health issues are nothing too serious, Classof2015. Anxiety over unknown health conditions can be a real stressor.
This morning was Pilates for me again - remind me why I torture myself?! Another good workout. This has been a good week but I’m glad it’s Friday.
Sabaray - do you like Pilates? Do you think it helps your running? I see the machines and think about it but only hesitant because of the small fee. Of course I’ll spend $125 a month for AlterG and other items BB, MOWC and Michael talk me into.
@FallGirl , is this guy a runner? Probably not. People are stupid - the % of people who run and have a done a marathon is probably not very high compared to runners as a whole. You should have asked him what he does for fitness!
Sometimes it isn’t even the sport you participate that is the most impressive - it’s the backstory. How/why you got there. When you got there. The struggles, the steps forward, the steps back. Now there’s a story!!! 
A week ago it was 75 when I ran outside at home. This morning, 25. Bummer. Took the day off and really didn’t want to go to the gym. Didn’t want to run. Didn’t want to do a cross training video at home. Really just DIDN’T! But bundled up and told myself to go outside for 30 minutes and do something - even if it was just “get it over”. I did. Some days are like that. It’s been a weird week and lots going on at work and home - I need a routine and some stableness back - even to deal with the stress!
Yeah, most people don’t know what a marathon is. And if you tell them you did a tri, they think you are an Ironman. MNK, I am so sorry. It sucks to be injured. What can you do while you heal?
Thanks Sabaray. Yes, worrying about getting the results is a bad kind of limbo state. I think I should be ok.
I only tried Pilates once and wimped out (too hard for me) but it was on a mat with these big soft blue balls and a lot of core work. I didn’t know there were also machines – I think that’s great. @sabaray – I’d be interested to hear what your weekly mix is between running and Pilates and other workouts.
@abasket – good for you getting out in the cold. Freezing again here too after a day in the 70s.
Ohio, I do really enjoy Pilates and I do think consistent practice helps with my running. I work with a Pilates trainer once a week individually and then usually take two Pilates mat combo classes (Pilates/TRX & Pilates/Barre) plus a Reformer class. I treat those as cross-training. My quads were really getting overdeveloped and Pilates forces me to work on all of my muscles. My physical alignment and posture have also really improved - not to mention core strength. My hips also don’t hurt. I find it very enjoyable and invariably feel better when I’m done with a workout. I won’t tell you how much a month I spend on Pilates but I find it’s worth it. It’s something I will be able to do for a lot longer than I’ll be able to run. Men do it too!
http://www.stack.com/a/wide-receivers-pilates
Classof2015, on top of that I run three to four times a week. Twice a week runs of 6 to 7 miles, a short hill run of a bit over 3, and then a long run on Saturday. Sounds horrible but it’s a routine!
Gosh, I have missed a lot in the last few days. Injuries, infections. I am sorry to hear about MichaelNKat and MOWC’s son, and hope everyone heals quickly!
I just visited a podiatrist yesterday who was referred to me as one of the best in the country. This guy is brilliant, like a nice Dr House. He did some things to my orthotics, told me to buy one specific pair of shoes, made some recommendations to fix my blisters. Was perplexed on things my other podiatrist had told me, ie people with high arches, it is very rare that they pronate…I had been told I was a serious pronator by him, but this doctor said that if anything, I supinate. Anyways, if these simple fixes don’t work, they’re going to do a serious workup on me and I feel confident that he’s going to figure it out. And then I can run distances again. Even two weeks after the half marathon, I still have these thick, huge blisters.
That is really helpful, Sabaray – thanks! I feel like I’m running the same pace and same distance and not getting as much out of it as I used to. Pilates sounds great!
@busdriver11 – yeah that doesn’t sound right (I have high arches and I pronate). Hope the new doc helps put you on the path to healing. Those blisters sound tough.
Apparently you are a rare person, @Classof2015. He said only 5% of the population have both high arches and pronate, almost always they go the other direction.
One thing he recommended is these blister bandages called Compeed. They are made in England, not something you can buy at a store here (I think), but I just ordered them on Amazon. People seem to really think they work well. I am so hopeful.