Help!

[schweineloeffel]

Hi. I'm an American living in Germany. 35 years old. Want to start running again but don't know where to start. It's been so long! Does anyone here run with their dog?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Read this guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which attempts to explain it all.

There are plenty of dog runners here.

[Hidden]

Just sign up to the programme and you will be fine. I am an enthusiastic dog runner and s/he will be fine too

[ToniCR Graduate]

I run with my dog and she loves it although I'm sure she wishes I was a little bit faster.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

And don't forget - parkrun has now finally arrived in Germany. There are currently 7 parkrun sites in Germany parkrun.com.de/events/

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Hi and welcome....check out the replies... keep posting..take it slow and steady, and enjoy :

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Whereabouts are you in Germany? The programme is a great way to get started - and then the world is your oyster! You've obviously run before so you'll get back into it really quickly.

(Just read that you live near Poland - a long way from me in Southern Germany!)

[IgaT Graduate]

Hi I'm 35 as well. I tried to run with my black beast, but she is not perfect on leash, so for now I go with her only if I'm going to the fields to run and I can let her loose. She loves it, she just doesn't understand those walking parts

Only few things to make it very easy: go slow and steady, and even slower (most of us start with the pace that regular 90yo walking would overtake us ), remember about the rest days, be patient, don't pressure yourself - think of those weeks as phases, they can be longer than a week. Life happens, don't worry, we all had pauses, longer breaks, etc. Just pick up from where you finished, or a run before and see how it is.

How to get started? Put comfy clothes and shoes on and off you go Running shoes can wait till week 2 or 3. Running gear as well. Don't fall into trap that you have to have everything before your first run

Remember: enjoy!

Happy running!

[mfamilias Graduate]

Hi, and welcome to a lovely corner of the internet. Starting is easy - download the programme, lace up, get out there, and report back here.

I ran with smelly dog, she loved it though she didn't understand why I was so puffed after 30 seconds at the beginning.

[RainbowC Graduate]

I've run with three different dogs in the past 5 years. Old Dog was wonderful - he'd just trot gently alongside or in front of me when on the lead, and if we were in the fields he'd just run around, come back when called, and generally be a lovely running companion. After he died, we got Tiny Terrier and Fluffy Pup - Tiny Terrier came with me a few times, but didn't seem to like running for more than 5 minutes without a break, so I stopped taking him. Fluffy Pup has a mind of her own, and sometimes runs (well, walks!) nicely, but has a tendency to just park her bum on the ground and dig her heels in when she's had enough, which takes all the fun right out of it for me!

That said, I took Tiny Terrier with me on Monday night, and he was absolutely brilliant - kept going nicely for the whole 28 mins (plus walking), so I might have to take him more often...

I strongly recommend a hands-free lead for running with a dog - so much more comfortable than having to hold on to a normal one!