It's been a while...

[Tartancat]

It really has been too long, and I blame my dog!

I completed C25K in June 2018, then did JuJu's magic plan, consolidated my 10k, worked on speeding up my 5k - I was going great guns. Then I got a pup, and oh my God, it was like having a new born baby again. So running stopped.

Oh, I've done the odd bit here and there, followed a couple of training plans on my Garmin over the last year, but never got into a routine. Doesn't help that pup suffers from separation anxiety (yes, it's a real thing honestly!), so I decided that, as he can't be left for long, he would just have to come with me. So pup is now on week 5 of C25K! 🐕 Must be honest, he hasn't totally embraced the concept of running continuously. There are too many smells to sniff at, too many trees to cock a leg against, and too many horse droppings to be eaten (yum yum apparently). But as he is a dog with very little brain I am making allowances.

As, obviously, I have to accompany him on his C25K journey, it means I too am on week 5 (the dreaded run 3 is next!). But I must say it's a darned sight easier second time round. I know I've sort of vaguely kept my hand in, and I've learned how to run really slowly, but even so, it's been easier than I feared (after all, I am 2 years older than I was first time round).

I am convinced that the body doesn't forget how to run. It may need easing in gently, but it remembers everything it learned before.

So for all of you who are on the IC, or have had a long break, and are worried that you will have lost fitness, yes, you will have (sorry!), but you won't be back to square one. Just take it gently and you'll soon be smashing it again!🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Hi TC! How lovely to hear from you, I wondered where you’d been! 👋👋👋😀

What a sweet boy, he clearly adores you and I bet you’re loving having him as a running buddy! My dog still comes on 99% of my runs with me, but off lead as I’m running further. PR would be the exception, but we all know about that. 😩

So great that you’re back! Enjoy your running, enjoy your lovely boy and keep having fun. 🐾❤️

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Its a very different experience running with a dog, that's for sure - I think it helps having something else to think about. The eventual plan is for him to run with me off lead, but with these short ones it easier to have him under control!

Lovely to hear your girl is still going strong, and so are you Cheeky!

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

Lovely pic of a great dog. I grew up with a boxer and have fond memories. I’m sure he will help you through your revisitation of W5R3. Encouraging him to keep going will keep it at a conversational pace.

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to HeavyFoot]

He's either lagging behind or pulling me forwards! No, I lie, he's getting much better at just trotting along in front of me. And yes, definitely he helps me stay at conversational pace!

[Getfitok Graduate]

Ive not been running much recently mainly because of being on the IC. We are getting a new puppy in 2 weeks, so let's see what happens then

[Tartancat Graduate in reply to Getfitok]

I feel for you - injuries are so frustrating. Still, your new pup will take your mind off it. I've never had a pup before, as our last boxer was a rescue. Couldn't believe how time consuming a puppy is - not quite as bad as a baby, but not far off! But just like kids, make the most of it, they grow up so quickly 🐕