Running is a great way to get some exercise. Generally speaking it is cheap, although specialized running shoes can be rather expensive. It doesn’t take any money to simply walk out the door and run around the block, or several blocks. It is a great cardiovascular exercise, and one of the best ways to lose weight and become healthier. Unfortunately, it really is not a lot of fun to run alone. This is why most people get a running partner to keep them motivated to run.
Man’s best friend, the dog, is considered a very good running partner. Not too many dogs turn their noses up to the idea of taking a quick jog or a full blown run. Most dogs are all too happy to run all day. Unfortunately for me, my running partner simply is not interested in running. She’s one of the rare dogs who would much rather walk, or even stay home and sit on the couch, rather than take a run. What do you do when your running partner doesn’t want to run, but you do not want to run alone? You compromise.
Trisha, my lovely Pit Bull/German Shepherd mix is my non-running dog. She’s a sweater wearing pooch who thinks that anything but bright sun and warmth is simply too bad to go out in. However, go out she will if there is the right incentive. A simple treat is most often enough to get her out the door. Running means true compromise though. While I want to run straight through for a mile at a time, she’d rather break it down if she has to run it at all. Break it down we do, running full speed for a tenth of a mile, walking for a couple minutes, and then running full speed again.
While it takes a little longer to finish the typical 3 mile run that we do, this method may be even better for my health than simply jogging the 3 miles. The interval training method is currently one of the hottest trends in the fitness circles. This gives her time to burn off her energy and still smell the flowers. Yes, we stop at the yards with the best flowers and she takes her time sniffing each one of them.
Does this compromise method work for all runners who do not necessarily want to run? Well, it can, with a little work. It certainly is worth the try. If the running partner simply refuses to run at all though, or is consistently stopping or not showing up, then it may be time to get a new running partner. I figure eventually I’ll need to look into a new puppy who wants to run, Trisha simply is not getting any younger and I cannot expect her to run forever. Until then, both of us will work on getting in shape by using the interval training method that she sets and enjoys.