Running with Archie

If you take a look at any running forum or discussion group you're certain to come across a discussion about what a pain dogs are when you are running.  Who hasn't had someone's dog jump up at you, run across you, trip you up with their lead, chase after you, or as Gary and I had the other day turn and growl at you.  Thankfully the owner whistled and he ran on.

All this aside I do think dogs and running mix.  Gary and I have a lovely springer spaniel called Archie, he is a typical springer full of energy and obsessed by water, and he loves to run.  He's not so great on the lead but as 90% of our runs are off road to help us train for the coastal ultra, they are perfect for him and us.  The added bonus is we don't have to take him out for a walk after running 19 miles.

Archie

I originally got him when I was living on my own.  I'd previously been pushed into a canal while running alone in London and ever since have been a little wary.  Archie helped solve that problem, not that I think he'd know what to do if someone attacked me, but when I've tripped over he's come and sat next to me as if to say 'hey mum we taking a break now.'  He's also a great distraction when the miles are hurting.  He doesn't stop until we get home, as if there are just far to many great smells to check out.  I'm sure if he had one of the dog collars from 'UP' there'd be no talking sense just 'rabbit' 'squirrel' 'cat' 'water water water' 'fox poo!'

Just like us humans he suffers injuries too. Since he was one he's been diagnosed with arthritis, apparently it is very common in all breeds of dogs.  It's been about four months since he was last lame, but yesterday morning he started limping again, so he's back on rest and metacam, a painkiller for arthritis.  I worried in the past that the running might exaggerate the arthritis but I'm assured by my vet that as long as he's not lame running is good for him, keeping him fit and lean, and being a springer spaniel I'm not going to be able to stop him even if I stop.

Yoga for runners - our first class

Isn't google the best; in my twenties I would have picked up a flier, spoken to a friend or seen an ad in the paper, but now we have google (should I say there are other search engines available).   Having agreed with Gary that we'd try yoga to help our running recovery (see previous blog) all I had to do was type in yoga in Bishop's Stortford and up came some classes.  

I'm afraid my selection criteria wasn't very sophisticated; something near, something after work, something stretching and relaxing.  I've previously tried dynamic Ashtanga yoga, which while great for toning kept making me feel tired running, and considering we are currently on 40 miles a week and building up to about 70 miles a week (just thinking about it makes my legs twinge), I don't want to be doing anything else that makes my legs ache, this is recovery all the way.  

Mandy Beaumont's class came up trumps, and the best thing is when I dropped her an email asking about availability she replied straight away and offered us spaces in her class last night.  A quick text to Gary asking if he was up for it and we were booked in.

So at 7.45pm we left the house armed with blankets and pillows, felt like we were heading for a slumber party rather then a yoga class, but we were only following instructions.  Unfortunately I wasn't following the instructions as well as I should have been, I'd read the address wrong and we ended up at Rhodes Theatre instead of Birchwood High School.  Bless the receptionists as they tried to explain to us where we should go and every road name they mentioned we hadn't heard of.  So dumb did we appear they politely asked if we weren't from here.  Oh yes we do live in Bishop's Stortford, but obviously we walk round with our eyes closed.  

Eventually though we understood (yes they were speaking English), and we headed off, debating whether or not we should actually still go.  Was it rude to turn up late or ruder still to not turn up at all.  We decided that if we didn't go we probably never would so bore the embarrassment and headed into the class - finally located.

Thankfully Mandy was really friendly and welcoming and pointed us to two yoga mats positioned at the front of the class ready and waiting for us.  There were about five others already practicing.  Am I meant to call them Yogis?  I'm not yet up on the lingo!  Being at the front and not having a clue what we were doing made it a little awkward, but we seemed to get by.   We went from child's pose to downward dog, it was lovely and slow and really relaxing.  Finishing off with some great dynamic breath work.  The best bit was doing some group work to perfect the position of downward dog and realising my hamstrings aren't as tight as I'd thought.  Even Gary enjoyed it, he was the only man, but even so he engaged in feedback and proved that yes men don't have as much flexibility!  Rock on next week - not sure what surprises are in store for us, but I'm looking forward to it!

Now thinking about the next thing I can google and be so childishly pleased about!

Yoga for runners

Having read Matt Fitzgerald's book 'the mind-body method of running by feel,' I've been inspired to try yoga again to strength train.  Strength training has never been my strong point.  It is something I just never seem to find time for, or when I do I only manage to maintain it for a couple of weeks.  That is true whether it's a circuit training session at home (I recently tried the Outdoor Fitness magazine's daily dozen), a strength training class or a gym session.  But with 44 miles ahead of me in June, I think I need to seriously consider building my strength, particularly around my hamstrings as for the last year I've suffered on and off with what my sports massage therapist thinks is hamstring tendinitis.  I've had great fun sitting on ice packs!

The question is can I commit to regularly doing yoga, something I have previously tried off and on, but perhaps never done enough for it to really make a difference to my running, for example my husband and I have tried out a 30 minute Vinyasa flow routine, it is certainly a good workout.  While working overseas I also took 'The Little Yoga Book,' by Erika Dillman with me, it has some great workouts focused on different sports including running.  

So my plan is to find a local class, convince Gary (my husband) to come along with me, and perhaps between the two of us we can stay committed.  Apparently 3 sessions a week is the ideal strength training, so a class and two sessions at home.  I'll keep you updated on progress!