Joined a social run...

[Maddee_6333]

... with a couple of the ‘gazelles’ of our Canicross group. And managed to get separated from them in less than 5 minutes

Not because they shot off, but because Merlin stopped for not one, but TWO poo breaks. 🤣🤦‍♀️

Of course then I couldn’t see where the others had gone and had to keep trying different paths to find them. Meanwhile one of them had run back to try and find me, while the other one waited on the correct path. I was so embarrassed, but once we got going again things were fine, and they set a nice pace that Merlin and I could manage - helped by a couple of water breaks for the dogs, and meeting dog walkers and cyclists along the way. I even managed to enjoy the view now and again.

Mind you we were about 2k into the run before I realised that though I’d started MapMyFitness (so I could get back to the car, as I wasn’t sure which route they were going to take & their planned 10k is too far for me right now) I had failed to start my Garmin 🤦‍♀️ Ooops!

Before I left the house, I thought that 7k would be the distance to aim for and that 8k would be pushing it - I am so not a summer runner. So soon after realising my Garmin mistake I thought I’d run till 7:15 then turn back (so about another 10 minutes). As it was we rocked up at a gate soon after and beyond it was a field with sheep in the field beside *that* - clear as mud, I know - but I couldn’t face the thought of trying to run past them with Merlin possibly trying to get to them through the fence, so I said goodbye to the others and headed for home.

Total 6.7k in a few seconds under 1hr 2m - including a stop for one last water break, and to really admire the view from a really well placed bench.

[Granspeed Graduate]

😄 Lovely post. Written like a chapter of accidents but coming out as a success story. The accidents bit I relate to easily! So I’ll work on the success bit... 👍😊 We all need a well placed bench in our lives!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Granspeed]

It felt like a chapter of accidents - I didn’t mention that as I was putting him in the car -before we left home- a local cat made an appearance and he shot off after it, so now I have a bruised little finger where he ripped the lead out of my hand. 😕

Someone obviously put a lot of thought into the benches up there. There’s one that looks like it’s in a daft place, but when you sit on it you get the view framed by bushes.

[Granspeed Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Oh, hope the bruised finger heals quickly. I have a wonky finger as souvenir of something rather similar with a horse lead rope some years ago. 🤣 Love those good benches. 💕

[Lindsey-joy Graduate]

Sounds like fun!

What a gorgeous dog. I'm a teeny bit jealous as my dog is a pain to run with unless I'm in the forestry and she is off lead. On lead i feel like I'm dragging her along and I am not a fast runner by any means!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

It was, once we actually got going 👍

Thank you 😊 he’s a love, and he really does make me run faster 🙂

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to Lindsey-joy]

one of mine always ran at heel but since going out with the local canix group,he now runs infront x

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

As long as he still walks at heel 😀

Which we’re still working on with Merlin.

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Yes.we were actually at rallyO training last night.they switch between activities no problem.

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Rally training? Sounds interesting.....

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Kc rallyO.

a timed obedience course with instruction signs (stations).

Unfortunately there as been no comps in our area for a while but we are trained up ready in our little social group. X

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

The ‘have a go version’ at the local dog show is done on lead.

But I don’t know anywhere that does it as a class locally.

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

yes,in comps levels 1+2 are on lead.

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Sounds interesting - I have a feeling a local trainer does this, will look into it. Thank you for the info.

[runwithdog Graduate in reply to skysue16]

i printed off the signs and laminated them to practice at home.

rallynews.co.uk/resources.htm

i do believe there is an online group that holds comps where you send in a vid and get marked but i have not done this.

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Very interesting, thank you for the link. We will need some practise!! 😄🐶🐾🐾

[skysue16 Graduate]

Lovely view and gorgeous doggie

Sounds like a 'interesting' run!!! A cat before you have even got in the car!! Squiggs looks under cars when we walk/run past parked cars because he knows they hide underneath. Sheep too.... But great run - well done

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to skysue16]

Oh my lit look under cars too 🤦‍♀️