I just accidentally deleted a really carefully worded post...

[Maddee_6333]

...so now you get the bullet point version.

Going to lead with where I finished the last one.

The little guy in the photo is joining our family on Wednesday, he is a *tiny* (possibly) 8 month old Pointer from Cyprus. He’s been in the UK for 3 weeks and hopefully will like running - he has legs like Bambi’s so he really ought to 😀

I did a beginners’ Canicross session this morning and - after having the flu - it was hard work! I spent a large part of every pause to regroup coughing, really not what I was expecting 😞

A fortnight ago today I happily did 13k, today i am seriously doubting - for the first time since I started training for it - that I will be ready to do a trail Half Marathon event in 5 weeks time!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Oh well done you for adopting that little guy! I’m a follower of a FB group called Rehoming Cyprus Pointers. Those guys do a wonderful job in the most trying of circumstances. You have a new running companion too! Good luck with the running and I hope you get well soon.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

I am a member of a few Pointer rescues on FB, but not that one. I have been fostering for a local rescue, but I think I’ll have to take a break from it for a bit until this guy has settled in. Had to think really hard about the costs of taking him on, but luckily I have friends who already have Pointers so I’m able to borrow some stuff like coats etc while he does some more growing, and we already have several dog beds etc. 😀

Hopefully it really was just the cold hitting my lungs; I’m feeling pretty tired right now, but that’s pretty normal anyway.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

By the way he looks really cute!! Good luck with everything.

[Hidden]

Looks like a lovely little chap, who no doubt will love running. Glad that you are feeling a bit better.

I went running yesterday with my dog on the extendable lead (just because the usual trails are so soggy) and am thinking I will get a canicross harness for such occasions as the lead is a bit unbalancing. At one point I was running with the dog in one hand and a bag of poo in the other!

My dog is very bright and obedient so I think he'll quickly adjust. Any recommendations for makes/types of lead would be appreciated (he is currently used to having a lead attached to his collar, but had a harness for a while too).

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

The best things to have for conditions like that are a belt for you so you can run hands free - there easiest ones for beginners are the ‘nappy’ style belts by Zero DC (sometimes listed as Euro DC). All sorts of bungee lines (leads) are available, Zero DC and NonStop are the main names along with Bono - Bono are good if you think you might want to do Parkrun with him as they do lines are shorter than usual Canicross ones (so as not to trip people up). The main differences in lines apart from length is some have clips at both ends and some have a clip and a handle like a normal dog lead. I definitely wouldn’t run a dog in a collar - if you trip and fall you can do some real damage to their necks. Again Zero DC and NonStop are the brands to look out for as well as Tough Skin, and then the choices are short/half harness, or long harnesses. The short ones are often the best first choice - they tend to be cheaper, and - if properly fitted - they are harder for a dog to get out of.

There’s a Facebook group called Canicross Trailrunners which is very informative, they have lists of kit suppliers in the Files section and a map so you can find a Canicross group near you. Groups generally have beginners sessions of some sort where you can try various kit on you and your dog, before you decide what works best for you both.

[Hidden in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you Maddee, appreciate the effort

I will have a look at these and report back

[PippiRuns]

Beautiful dog! I wish I had a running companion like that.

I ran a half marathon in September two weeks after recovering from a flu 🤒 and it was very hard work 😓 and my slowest HM so far, but I managed to finish. You still have 5 weeks to recover properly. You will get there! I wish you all the best.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to PippiRuns]

Thanks!

I have a 13k trail event a fortnight from now which fitted in nicely as part of my training plan, now I’m thinking I might have to drop down to 8k instead. Luckily the organisers accept changes on the day, so I’ll see how things go.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

What a beauty, and yes with being ill it has set you back a bit.... have you run a HM distance before??

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

No. This is my first one 😮

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Ahh, he looks lovely - what's his name? Sorry to hear about your flu but glad you are feeling better. I am still recovering from a virus (not full on flu thank goodness). Look forward to hearing about your HM progress

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

His name is Merlin.

I felt well for possibly 3 days, went for a run then got a cold, and currently have a raging sore throat that has developed during today 😣

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Oh no! That is a shame 😕🤒 hope you feel better soon

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

It was gone by yesterday afternoon. Just have a sniffy nose now.