Virtual Charity Runs and Super Bowl Sunday!

A couple of weeks ago I received a medal from Virtual Charity Runs for a 1 mile/5K/10K run or walk.  Since I'm at the point that I reserve my runs for the weekend and I always get at least a mile in I decided that today was the day that I needed to push myself to get in a 5K (3.1 miles) to earn my medal benefiting the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue.

My sweet new bling!

It was a frigid 20 degrees when Leia and I set out on our longest walk to date.  Since I've run 10 mile loops around my neighborhood many times while half marathon training, I knew exactly which way to go to get in 3.1 miles.  I wasn't sure how Leia would do on such a long walk on a new route but overall she did great!  You could tell she was nervous at some points and she definitely pulled me once or twice when she thought we were headed home, but we got it done and met a few neighbors along the way.

Since I was running and walking this 5K, I clocked my slowest time yet at just under an hour, but that wasn't the point.  Both my dog and I needed exercise and I wanted to hang up my new Boston Terrier medal with my other race bling.

The fact that I even set out on this 3 mile journey at almost 20 weeks pregnant (half baked!) is amazing to me since I barely moved on the weekends when I was pregnant with my daughter Scarlett.

Caught in the act! 

After Leia and I came home from our journey, we set out to run some errands including picking out baby clothes for Vivienne.  Scarlett tore the store and had a huge pile of clothes in her hands before I even finished looking at one rack.  We found the cutest little sandals for her too!  I know it sounds ridiculous but Scarlett is obsessed with taking Vivienne to the beach this summer.  Here's hoping they are both water babies.

The cashiers, "Awwwed" when I bought these. 

Now it is time to settle in for the evening after finishing up chores so we can cheer on the Pats in the Big Game.  We have a friend driving up from visiting New York that might stop in later on his way home.  He's a Cleveland Browns fan but we don't hold it against him.

Looking for last minute Super Bowl recipes?  Check out what I made last year HERE.  

How To Run With Your Dog

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Before adopting our rescue dog, Leia, this year, I've never run with a dog before.

It might sound hard to imagine for dog lovers out there, but I didn't grow up being very athletic.  More on that HERE.  Our last dog was a corgi and even though those stubbies could move she didn't particularly enjoy it and as she got older it didn't take much for her arthritis to kick up.  When that happened she'd be immobilized for days.  

But Leia is different - she's a boxer mix which is a high energy breed even though you wouldn't know it by looking at her.  Most days you can find her on the couch and she really isn't motivated by much to leave it.  

Which makes it all the more important that she and I get out and move.  19 weeks into this pregnancy and I'm not motivated by much either especially after coming home from a busy 9 hour day to more cooking, cleaning and taking care of a child.  

As a boxer mix, Leia needs exercise and that's enough motivation for me to get her out there on the weekends - it is still too dark before and after work to run with her.

Now that I finally have a dog to run with, I've been trying to figure out how to do it.  Our first run was kind of a mess with her wanting to sniff, turn around or cut me off so I've had to do some research on how to make these outings easier on both of us.

• Check with your vet to make sure your dog is up for the challenge.

• Start out slow.  Try to run with your dog for 10 minutes at a time and them gradually add another 5-10 minutes over time until eventually your dog is keeping your pace.  

• During the summer months run in the shade and before to bring water for the both of you if it is a long run.

• In the winter, you might consider getting your dog a coat and putting protective gear on the feet to protect them from ice and rock salt.  Dogs will lick off the rock salt which can cause tummy troubles.  

•  Don't assume every dog is a runner!  For some breeds, running is just too much exertion.  Older dogs may suffer from arthritis and shouldn't run.  Dogs with shorter legs might have a hard time keeping up.  When in doubt, check with your vet before starting a running program with your dog.

• Hit the trails!  Trail running is easier on your legs and feet as well as your canine companions.

• If you are going trail running, be sure your dog has flea and tick medicine and that you have bug spray.  Dogs should be up to date on heart worm medication as this is a mosquito born illness.

• Have a plan for rewarding your dog for a job well done.  Treats should be given once he's calmed down so as not to risk vomiting.

Ready to try it?  I'd love to hear about your running adventures with your dog!

First Run Where I Didn't Want to Puke!

Now that we have a dog that doesn't have stubby little legs (sorry Luna!), I can finally take her out on a run.  

Selfies mean time for snuggles and love! 

Having been a stray for 2 years, her leash manners leave something to be desired, but she seems to enjoy walks even though she is getting used to her new environment.  I've never seen a 65 pound dog be so timid!  

After surviving our first mile walk, I decided to wake up early today to take her on one mile run/walk.  The weather hasn't been terribly cold lately so I figured I could suck it up and get out there.

Even though it was 35 degrees when we started, there was still a fair amount of ice on the road which I wasn't counting on.  Shhh, don't tell my OB!  After we made our way around it was time to start picking up the pace.  Leia wasn't so sure about that.  I made sure she had plenty of time to sniff around, get some reassuring pets and time to do her business.  

It didn't take long for her to fall into a groove and we were off!  If my Garmin is to be believed I even hit an 8:20 mm pace!  Since I'm kinda crazy, I kept making deals with her - we'll run to that black mailbox and then you can stop to sniff.  

Not running related, but too darn cute to NOT share! 

Honestly, the run/walk intervals definitely helped me feel like the run was more successful and I never once wanted to barf!  Yes!

Here's hoping to many more runs with our rescue dog!

And just for the record, I'll be 18 weeks pregnant tomorrow.  

Because a New Baby Wasn't Enough...

So we just had to adopt a dog!

I guess we just like change in this house or maybe we just like to keep it real, either way we are doing something we swore we wouldn't do for a year or more and that is we are adopting a dog.

Luna chilling with her favorite cat, Joey. 

Some of you may know that our Christmas Eve we had to make the difficult decision to let our 12 year old corgi, Luna, go.  She had suffered a stroke the day before and most likely had a brain tumor.  To say she was suffering was putting it mildly.  We all took it hard, but it's a different kind of heartache when you watch your own child mourn the loss of a pet.

Scarlett was crushed.  

Three weeks after her passing she'd see a dog and say, "I miss Luna. I want Luna back!"  Even though we've explained it to her, she doesn't understand why we didn't bring her home with us.  She thinks that Luna is somewhere where she isn't being taken care of and that she cries for us.  We made her as much of a part of the process as we could and still be age appropriate.

Fast forward 3 weeks and the hole that Luna left was very real.  She was loyal to a fault and always by my side.  Sometimes I still think I hear her nails on the hardwoods or her tags jangling as she bounded up the stairs.  

Matt and I both found ourselves looking at adoptable dogs online.  Once we realized what we were each doing it was time to get serious about the loss we felt.  We knew that our home just wasn't the same without a dog.  It was time to start looking again.  Even though we will be bringing a newborn home in 5 or 6 months, we felt that now was the time to bring home a dog so s/he could get settled and acclimated before the baby arrives.

We found the perfect cuddle bug for us at a local shelter.  

She is a 2 year old boxer mix!  We met with her on Saturday and fell right in love with the way she fell on our feet and smothered us with kisses.  The best part is she likes other dogs!  They're not positive she'll be OK around cats, but she's given them no reason to believe she'd hurt one.  Our boys are pretty dog savvy and we have a safe spot for them to run to if she becomes too much.

She comes home on Thursday and we can hardly wait!