Running in Circles

Tonight was my first time back on an indoor track since C25K intervals. It was raining again and I did not want to slowly slack off in my running again. I didn't think I would be able to run for long on a track and was considering the treadmill instead. But something about running for 30+ minutes and not going anywhere does not sit well with me. So around the indoor track I went. Roughly 33 times around the track, to be exact. About 3.6 miles in 39 minutes and 55 seconds at 11:06 pace (5.41 mph)

It was another great run. I feel like I could go longer but did not want to overdo it. Maybe I'll go for 4 miles next week.

The best part was cooling down to Michael Buble ''Haven't Met You Yet." I skipped and (almost) danced around the track. Must have been a sight :)

Some rude comments in the locker room threatened to end my evening on a sour note. But I managed to remember the feeling I had skipping around the track to the catchy tune of "Haven't Met You Yet" and things got better.

So not worth ruining my run and evening.

With tonight's 3.6 miles, I met this week's 9 miles goal! If I can get out again on Sunday, I'll pass 10 miles for this week!

Runner's Buzz

Tonight's run was the best one so far in my young running venture. It was late by the time I got home from work. But I was not tired and the streets beckoned as they have not for a while. I changed shoes and hit the road.

It was a wonderful run. I did not struggle through the first mile like I usually did. Seems I found my stride right away and the rest of the run was effortless (well almost!). I still felt good when I neared the last turn for home. I passed the turn and ran another 1/2 mile --- making this my longest non-stop run, 3.64 miles! And I could have gone more to make it 4 miles if I had any sense of timing and direction. Hoping to get at least another 3.5 miles in later this week to meet my minimum goal of 9 miles this week.

Distance: 3.64 miles
Time: 0:40:19
Pace: 11:05 (5.42 mph)

I hope this feeling and sense of accomplishment will motivate me and keep me on track to the 10K. After slacking off the last few weeks, I was not sure if I can run 3.1 miles non-stop anymore. Tonight's run put that worry to rest. And that, oooh, feels so good. I think the worst part of slacking off was thinking that I wasted all the time and effort that went into getting to the 3.1 miles mark. I did not want to be a C25K alumni who loses motivation and stops running after graduation.

Not quite a runner's high.
Definitely, a runner's buzz.

RuffRider Roadie Elite

As you will see, the Roadie is not really the easiest harness to put on, especially if it's the correct size (not too loose). This was the first time (actually second if you count the time I put it on incorrectly) putting it on Elaine. Maybe it will get easier after the harness stretches a little? I had to flex Elaine's paws and elbows quite a bit to get her legs into the correct openings.

I will try to get better videos later to show tips on how to get the harness on. But thought this was a good one to show how difficult it can be in the beginning --- and Elaine was good for this; can't imagine a dog who is not used to wearing a harness in the first place. Also tricky to get the harness OFF. That will have to be another video later.

Brushing Dog's Teeth - Rehearsal

We've been thinking of doing some short videos on pet care. Elaine is turning out to be quite cooperative for my crazy schemes. The problem is that she is not that well-behaved with other people. You have to meet her to believe me :) --- completely my fault; never really socialized her after the trainer for her puppy class told me to consider private training since other puppy owners may not feel comfortable with a pit puppy. I know, crazy but that was almost 8 years ago when the anti-pitbull sentiment was prevalent. Anyway, I managed to convince the trainer to let us stay with the class. But we had to be off to the side :( and none of the other puppy played with Elaine.

I probably should have pushed harder to socialize her but what's done is done. She is great with me and the staff but really would just behave with me.

Anyway, what does all that have to do with videos?
I can't have someone operate the camera! Elaine turns into a misbehaving crazy maniac with other people around. So I figured a way to use a tripod and am playing with different ways to record stuff.

Here's a "first take" on brushing her teeth. I'm just trying to get an idea on where to place the camera and how to position ourselves, etc. Guess we have to figure a way to do close-ups on the teeth. Maybe Elaine will be good with Elias behind the camera.

Note the last part of the video when Elaine gobbles up all the treats on the bench as soon as I turned my back!

Re-Focusing on Running

I have not had a chance to blog about my running. To be honest, I have not done that much running since New Year's so there was not much to report. I ran about 5 times after New Year's, most of which were in the second week of January.

I don't know why I suddenly lost the urge to run --- stopped lacing up after work. Runningman was kind enough to check in on me recently. He made me think and I realized that part of the fizzle was because I stopped reading the running blogs. You see, I am a relatively new runner. Running is not second-nature to me (yet). I have to think and focus on it, otherwise, other more pressing things in life will push it aside. Reading about running helped keep it on my mind.

When I temporarily stopped reading blogs as a way to gain more time for work projects, running faded out of sight. I became a Monday runner, running only once a week. I still enjoyed my runs --- when I finally got out there.

So I pruned my reading list and will refrain from reading every blog; maybe just skim the highlights and skip the posts that I don't relate to --- i.e. I don't run with music so why do I still read posts about Music Mondays, etc...?

I am slower (if that was even possible!) but am thankful that I can still run a 5K. I can feel the difference (not good) compared to my 5Ks in December. Worried that I will eventually lose all I gained since my C25K days several months ago, I am re-focusing on my running again.

I had modeled my running plan after the One Hour Runner, using distance instead of time. I was on week 2 when I stalled. I am going to restart from the beginning since I want to be "comfortable" with 5Ks again before upping the distance.

So for this week, I plan to run three 5Ks (3.1 miles), or any combination of runs to total at least 9 miles. I was late this morning and only ran 2.2 miles.

7 more miles to go for the week!

Elaine & Roadie Elite

Sweet Elaine was a trooper today. She modeled the Roadie Elite harness. And thanks to my clumsiness, she also modeled what the harness looks like when incorrectly worn. Check out this video and you can see how getting the harness on properly can be a little tricky.

Click on image to enlarge

Click on image to enlarge

These will be used in a series for work as part of my review on canine car restraint systems. We're looking at the following harnesses:

• RuffRider Roadie Elite
• Champion K-9 Seat Belt System (*** Do NOT order from champk-9 site; use usak9outfitters. See the review later for details)
  
• BeBop Secure Fit Harness
• Easy Rider Harness
• Four Paws Harness

Should be a good one. Just hope I can do it in a timely manner!

Chef Michael's Canine Creations

Bought a sample bag from Petsmart for $0.47 to try as training treats for Elaine.

The dehydrated chicken pieces were so-so. Elaine did not take to them initially. She licked at them, chewed and spat them out and finally ate them. It took her almost a minute to finally eat / swallow one chicken piece. Not a good thing for training. Need her to eat it quick and pay attention to me, not test and savor the treat :)

We'll try it again but this may be fine as regular treat, not as training treats.

Drying Out My Focus

Opened the moonroof on the drive home last night to enjoy the fresh air after the heavy rain. Yep. Forgot to close it when I got home. Rain overnight soaked the front seats.

Flooding by the clinic

This was in front of our clinic yesterday Wednesday 1/20/2010. Supposed to be more rain and thunderstorms tonight!

CeCe Romping Around

CeCe was excited and jumping up to greet me this morning. She is well on her way to recovery. So amazing to think that 2 weeks ago she was stiff as a board from tetanus. Had me doubting my treatment several times. Never seem to matter that I know it takes time to see improvement, even up to months --- it still wreak havoc on my self-confidence to see her so stiff. Hurray for patience and persistence. Will miss CeCe when she goes home (though, I'm sure Elaine will be happy to have me spend more time with her again!).

Update: CeCe went home Thursday 1/9/10. She should be fine. Miss the crazy girl already! Elaine's quite happy though :) getting all my attention again.