Dog Leads and Diets

So I love running with my dog. I trained for my first marathon with our red cloud Kelpie Ruby and now we have a Labrador Kelpie Cross called Sasha. She isn't as spritely as Ruby was but is ok at shorter distances. Just can't do the long stuff...

Sasha is a great dog and runs better off the lead than on the lead, but in the streets mostly I keep her on the lead for the sake of other people and dogs ( I avoid any areas where there are likely to be bikes for both her and the riders sake).

the other morning I was out for a run and came across the a couple walking their dog with my least favourite product - a retractable lead. The problem with retractable leads is that you have NO control of your dog - they are generally off exploring all by themselves with limited distraction to your walk - perfect for you but not so for others around you. Solid leads can be long and give your dog a bit of scope but at least with a solid lead you and your dog can get close and in control quickly.....

 

This of course is not what happened with this dog - They didn't hear me coming and I just about tripped over the dog and it's lead darting out across my path to get to Sasha! GROAN. Do not kid yourself - you have less control of your dog on a retractable lead than I have with Sasha off a lead.... She follows along often close beside me and obeys the commands I use (mostly)...

 

 

The other problem I have at the moment is my diet.... its not really going to plan and as a result I unfortunately have gained some weight. Everyone keeps telling me I still look fit and healthy and I am but I really don't want to carry those extra kg up the hills in Canada.

 

So it is time for me to be the adult and stop my snacking, drink more water or green tea and less coffee. I am back to being about 77kg - still lighter than when I did my last ironman but Ideally I really would like to be about 72kg when I race so I am going to have to get smarter with my nutrition..... 

Missing in action for a week

So I have been neglecting my blog and unfortunately my training.

Had a great second week of hard training finishing a fortnight ago in Perth with a lovely 16km run with the marathon club. Starts at Helena Valley Primary school up to Mundaring Weir. Lots of hills and mostly up hill, in fact on a run like that running down hill is not fun..... cause you know you are going to have to run back up another one.

I was really happy with how I went.... 90 minutes for just under 16km.... not too shabby at all.

Then I spent Monday in Perth starting my recovery week.... so no training. Pulled up OK but a bit tight in the calf.... Then Tuesday after driving home I was tired so being a recovery week I decided to have a sleep in. Wednesday I got up for a run but 1km in to the run and decided my calf was still sore.... too busy at work so no time to get to the physio to have a tune up (and check up....). Then Thursday I decided I was too tired AGAIN.... looks like this week is going to be a VERY light training week.

Saturday I dusted myself off and got on the bike. What a great morning - cold but fine and I got a solid 2 and a half hours on the bike. Then a short run Sunday to test the legs - all good - fantastic I am back on track.

So since Monday I have been bang on the training and got to the physio too. changed the swim Monday as the weather was coming in and I got out on the road for my run instead. Good session on the trainer on Tuesday morning and much more pleasant that riding in the high winds and rain, then a swim session that night. Even did some drills. Followed by a gentle 13km run this morning and my standard 90 minutes of stretching. So weekly total to tonight is 6 hours on the training track.... more than all last week combined.

Listening to my body is how I have got out there and done these great things and last week I just needed to go missing in action..... but only for 1 week