Things are looking up :)

[Lizzie_NewStart]

My original plan was to do a 4th week one run on Sunday morning but after reading advice given on my previous post (thank you all), I intended to give week two a go.

For several reasons (all good surprisingly) I decided to give my Sunday run a miss and the fact that the weather was a bit hot anyway, meant it was probably a good idea.

I had a dinner date on Saturday night (my first in a very long time) and did not get home until late. I still had to get up early to take Oscar for a walk but don't think running would have been very successful.

Monday morning was a lot cooler, and even after my walk with Oscar it still felt fresh. A quick change and I set off. I did not bother heading for the alley as there was a bit of cloud and the sun was not hot. Warm up finished, I set off for the 90 seconds which seemed to go on and on but I felt really pleased that I managed it with relative ease. The second bout seemed to come up very quickly and I was not sure I was going to manage the full 90 seconds. Just at the point I felt I was going to give up, it ended. When the third run started I was sure I was not going to finish it, but to my delight, it seemed better than the previous section. the remaining runs went the same way.

This morning I did the second run of week two and it went pretty much the same as Mondays. the second stage was definitely the hardest. When the last run ended I was a bit surprised and felt I could have done a few more seconds. I am looking forward to the third run.

I also have a (probably easy) decision to make. Oscars owners have asked me if I want to take him on full time. I have been looking after him over night since the warmer weather arrived so that I don't have to disturb them early in the morning so it probably will not be that much of a change. They have admitted that they made a mistake in taking on a dog as they had underestimated the commitment. If I say no, they have no immediate plans to find him a new home, but wanted me to think about it for a few days.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Great run for you! It’s such a good feeling-finishing feeling like you could have kept going is perfect. You’re really doing well.

I wonder if you know about the toxic ten? The first ten minutes of any run often feel hard as your body warms up and it gets easier as you keep going? It was a game changer for me. Knowing the first ten minutes would be a bit tough and it would improve later really helped (and still helps!) all my runs. I always take to take care to start really gently with the mindset of warming up.

Enjoy your next run and hope you can come to a decision about the dog!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That toxic ten can sometimes be longer too,... certainly it was in my case...but... sometimes now it does not happen at all.. which is good for this old snail! 🤣

[Gthants in reply to MissUnderstanding]

That "start slow" advice on the NRC app yesterday really brought this home to me. I found an easy pace and glided through it.

Well done for pushing on Lizzie_NewStart! For me that first run of all was the hardest. After that each successive 30 seconds/minute feels like a surprise: I can't possibly do ANOTHER run ... except you find that, actually, you can. Terrific stuff. Happy running!

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks. I have had a quick research about the Toxic 10 and it does seem to fit in to how my runs are going although more of a toxic 2 or 3 at the moment!!

I think I would be kidding myself if I thought there was a really a choice to make with regards Oscar. As soon as they asked me there was a voice in may head saying "Say yes, say yes, say yes" but they stressed that I should think it over and not make my mind up there and then. It is really just a case of how long do I leave it to make it seem like I have spent enough time considering it. If he was to go to someone else, I would be heartbroken.

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate]

I found the earlier weeks the hardest ones. My mistake was trying to run too fast when all I needed to do was a light jog. If you ever have trouble getting your breath back between runs, try slowing down some more

Good luck with the dog. I think folk should have to complete a mandatory training program to make sure they are suitable pet guardians. A little more thought by the owners might have saved them and Oscar a bit of trouble. All the best with him if you take him on

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to Frankenfoot23]

To be fair to Oscars owners, their situation did change a bit after they got him which made things a bit more difficult for them. But even so, I do not think they realised just what having a dog entailed.

He is not the sort of dog that is satisfied with a five minute walk around the block twice a day, he needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Being home all day, I tend to talk to him as if he is a person and he looks at me as if he understands every word. Over the last couple of weeks I have had him virtually full time and the few times he has gone home I have missed him terribly.

[Frankenfoot23 Graduate in reply to Lizzie_NewStart]

Hi Lizzie, please don't think I was berating the owners, nobody can ever plan for what lies ahead. I was only really speaking from personal experience. We rescued a saluki-greyhound cross who had had a terrible start in life. At just a year old, he had had three owners and three foster homes. The last owner had been feeding him spaghetti hoops as his main food and then was trying to sell him on gumtree because he was totally nuts on this diet. We've now had him two years and took him on with the intention he would be with us for life barring unfortunate possibilities. He's calm, happy and now sleeps upto 20 hours a day - previously he just wasn't really sleeping at all and was so worn out. I just feel so sorry for dogs as they can't choose their owners. Some seem to get a dog on a whim and then change their minds.

It sounds to me like you are already falling in love with Oscar and dogs are just fantastic to have around. Mine is my bestie and I'd jump in front of a truck to save him. I hope you do decide to take him on and have lots of joy doing so.

I talk to mine all the time too - I think the neighbours think I'm crackers

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate]

I am now Oscars new mum! although officially we are not changing his details over to until his insurance is due. The company will not refund, or transfer the policy so its being kept in place until it expires in 10 months.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Lizzie_NewStart]

How exciting for you! Oscar is lucky to have such a lovely new owner ❤️

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I think it is the other way around. He has, and is, changing my life for the better in lots of ways. Through him I have made many new friends.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator in reply to Lizzie_NewStart]

❤️❤️❤️❤️