My dogs think this is hilarious: they could well be right.

[Pm3eak]

Hello, newbie here.

I'm Paul, keen swimmer, weight trainer, gardener and golfer: those activities are now severely restricted -for a while at least- by significant injuries to both shoulders...partly as a result of a life in farming and physical work and partly by stupidity in swim training.

Stupidity is something I excel at.

So, inspired by my wife, I thought I'd give this a go.

I''ve been involved with many sports in the past and although reasonably fit and strong (for an ageing has-been) I am definitely not built like a gazelle! I run like the 15 stone, ex- front row forward I am. This could be tough.

Just finished second run of week 1 and am really enjoying running again (not that it looks like any variation of running I have seen in the manuals) : heart and lungs feel fine but long-term discomfort in one knee returned a little...have iced and will need to keep an eye on that. The new running shoes I bought yesterday in Shrewsbury should help.

I rarely go anywhere without Jethro and Lucy, my two big Russian Black dogs: the look on their faces as I went out of the door with running gear on was hilarious. They were probably thinking of seeking a new owner as their current one had obviously had some sort of breakdown. Too damned clever those dogs.

So, we'll see.

Onward and sideways.

Say hello if you are passing this way.

[Wizziewood]

Hi Paul, welcome!

Well done for getting started.

I love your dogs, I'm sure they'll get used to your new look!

Good luck and happy running!

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Wizziewood]

Many thanks!

[Atownee]

Welcome Paul, what lovely dogs🐶🐶, they look like great fun! Good luck & enjoy!

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Atownee]

Many thanks!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Haha! Gorgeous photo 🙂 I can see them giggling from here 😂😂😂

Welcome Paul. You can expect a wealth of warm welcomes from the best bunch of people on the Internet.

A big well done on starting and getting the first horrible run done.

I look forward to reading all about you and Jethro and Lucy 🙂

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you for the welcome! I'll make sure Jethro and Lucy keep the group updated on my ongoing adventures.

I look forward to interacting with the group.

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Pm3eak]

Please do keep us posted on how you are doing. (And regular photos of your gorgeous hairy dogs would be most welcome too - what beauties!)

Happy running! This a is a wonderful programme. 🏃‍♀️

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Hey well done for starting!! Welcome to the best forum ever!! So many great people on here all with the same goal. You will always find some advice on absolutely any question you may have 😊

[Polly2810 Graduate]

Is great pic!!

[J9_54 Graduate]

Ah welcome Paul and good luck with the program :0)

[poppypug Graduate]

Welcome aboard Paul. its good to have you here

Your dogs are just adorable, oh we love our pooches on here ! I just want to faceplant into that beautiful fur ha ha

Please keep posting so that we can cheer you on along your way .

Good Luck ! xxx

[GeorgiosA Graduate]

Well done for getting started and best of luck with the programme! Love the photo, your dogs look lovely (and just as if they'd had a lol moment!)

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to GeorgiosA]

Thank you! Yes, I think they delight in laughing at my foibles.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

Welcome Paul, and what a great first post! Your dogs are fabulous (and they do look as if they are sharing a joke).

Good luck!

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to HeleneCorsa]

Thank you!

Yes, they are great fun...and are so close they more or less operate as one unit.

[TedG Graduate]

Welcome Paul and good luck. Do the dogs leave you the green bit to run on? 😂

[Pm3eak Graduate in reply to TedG]

They do Ted...but unfortunately other dogs seem to leave brown bits in the green bit; my new running shoes didn't stay squeakyclean too long!

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Good luck on your new running adventure and finding this wonderful forum. It has helped many of us, in varying states of fitness achieve our goal of becoming (or returning to) runners. You're in great company 😁. Post often as you progress, your dogs may think you're nuts, but we get it😜.

I would've guessed your beautiful beasts were Bouvier Des Flanders. I haven't heard of a Russian Black before; I love what I learn on here 😆.They are absolutely gorgeous😍

[Pm3eak Graduate]

Bouvier des Flanders is a good guess! There are similarities...and Bouvier are great dogs. Russians are a bit bigger...males around 65kg when mature and a lot taller ( and incredibly powerful...I might build a cart so they can pull me 5k). They are certainly different than the working sheepdogs we trained while farming.

They think therunning is great...especially when they are so easily able to trip me up.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate]

Russian mushing dogs 🤣

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

I am totally in love with these hounds. 😍

[misswobble Graduate]

Ice is excellent!

Fab dogs! They'll give you a run for your money I bet. They look like water dogs too

Have fun!