Naughty Dottie

Dottie knows she is in BIG TROUBLE

I am happy to say I have completed Week Two of Running with the Dogs. Between Kevin's pushing and the dogs pulling, I've moved up to running 2.5 miles. It's not huge, but it's an improvement for me. I have also have taken to running with Dottie by myself. I have found that running without company allows Dottie to pay more attention to me and my control commands. Ergo, no pulling.

Today I ventured out for a nice run sans companions. I got Dottie geared up and we were off and running so to speak. After successfully completing a 1.5 mile loop, I decided that was all I could handle. I could tell Dottie was not tired. So, I extended our walk. We went another quarter mile when Dottie just threw herself to the ground. I was completely panic-stricken. I thought Oh God! My dog is having a seizure! She was rolling from side to side and finally stopped belly up. When I bent down to check on her, I realized what just happened. My nasty dog had decided to roll in fish fertilizer. I was unbelievably angry. If I could have beat my dog, I would have. (I kid, but I was crazy mad.) Meanwhile she is smiling and proud of herself. Does smelling like rotting fish give her street cred? We ran back to the truck. So much for taking it easy.

Rob didn't even get a opportunity to greet us because Dottie's stench got to him first. I illicited my revenge. Before her leash could even be hung up, she was off to the bathroom for a dreaded bath. 3 rounds of soap and rinse and she was squeeky clean... much to her dismay. Because she knows I am mad, she's been bringing me all her toys as a peace offerings. Naughty dog, that isn't enough. She's been exiled off the couch for now. Once she dries off, she'll be allowed back on. Underneath it all, I'm a softie. I'm relieved to have gotten rid of the dead fish smell. Blech!

Now, I just need to remember to steer clear of newly fertilized lawns!

My workout has gone to the dogs...

I'm still fighting the good fight. I have blogged previously that my sessions with the personal trainer did not go so hot. Not to be defeated, I've found a new trainer.

Meet Piper the Shiba Inu.

Piper belongs to our good friend Kevin.

Cute isn't she? I know that looking at her evokes this kind of imagery.
I'm sure if she could surf the net and see this, Piper would be angry.

This is probably a better representation of Piper and her "preferred image"

With a perfectly wonderful and athletic dog of my own, why would I be using someone else's dog as my personal trainer? The answer is quite simple. I can't keep up with Dottie. Once we start running, my overexuberant 65lb. dog becomes a force to be reckoned with. Instead of getting a nice paced run, I am DRAGGED. It makes for a very poorly paced workout and very sore arms. This is not exactly the workout I was thinking of.

This past week I was told it was suggested that I take Dottie out for her daily walks. Dottie always goes for a walk with Piper. It was Kevin's brilliant idea that we trade dogs for these walks. Dottie runs at a pace that he likes and Piper, in theory, was a better pace for me. The walk isn't the right term. They are most definitely runs. I thought I was off the hook with Piper, but she is definitely a little powerhouse. She does not like to be left behind. This means that I have to keep up a nice jog lest she nip my ankles. Trust me when I say this is not pleasant. Piper has sharp little teeth. In a week, we've started to build a nice cadence and pace.

With a week under my belt, this isn't so bad. The first 3 days were rough --not want to vomit and die rough, but definitely challenging. I was cramped and sore, but I've kept moving. I'm also still going to the gym to lift weights. The goal is to eventually be able to run with my own dog. It sounds simple, but if you've seen Dottie in action you'd understand.

Dottie on the Trail

Now, I guess I'll need to stock up on dog treats;)

Counterproductive

Counterproductive: adjective : tending to hinder the attainment of a desired goal

I mentioned working with a personal trainer a few weeks ago. Well, I think that was a waste of my time. Nothing against my trainer. Trainer X is a good guy. He's unbelievably motivated and in amazing shape. However, not the trainer for me or the right route for me. Why you ask? Because I went from working out 4 times a week to once a week. How did this happen? Well, Trainer X pushed me WAY past my limits. I know, I know. My athletic cohorts are going to tell me that it's his job to do that. Yes and No. I actually don't need to be pushed. I'm fairly self-motivated. What I really needed was someone to just design some workouts for me. I really wish I had articulated that better.

Trainer X got all bone crusher with me for our first session. I was on the rowing machine. I did squats, hopped up and over a step, and did planks all in a 25 minute window. I literally thought I was going to vomit. The only reason why I didn't vomit is because I realized that the nearest toilet was all the way over on the other side of the gym. I like this gym. Although it's open 24 hours, I did not want to have to troll in their in the middle of the night to avoid embarrassment. Aside from wanting to vomit, I could barely stand. Never in my sports-loving life have I felt like my legs were going to collapse beneath me. The worst is that I knew I would be sore for a couple of days. In actuality, I ended up being sore for 4 DAYS!! I am not exaggerating nor am I a wuss. I have a high threshold for pain. For 4 days, I could barely move. I hobbled down the 4 stairs that led from my front door to the ground. I didn't leave my house because I didn't want to have to walk anywhere. I tried everything. Ibuprofen, Tiger Balm, and soaking in Epsom Salts. It was miserable. However, I am tough and persevered.
Next session, I told him to take it down a notch. He did. The end result? I was sore for three days instead of four days. It's progress I suppose. It's horrific in light of that fact that I am going to the gym less than before. This has, in turn, caused me to regain some of the weight that I had loss prior to starting with Trainer X. ARRRGGGGHHHH!!! I am so frustrated. I have canceled the rest of my sessions with Trainer X. I think I'm better off floundering on my own.

Next stop, classes at the gym and a few workout books. I'm still doing some research as to what might work for me, but for now... I'm just going to amp up the cardio. Who knew working with a personal trainer would be such an exercise in futility?

Let's get physical

Sport Climbing in Pyramid Lake, NV - 2002

Whitewater Kayak on Kern River, CA - 2005

Snorkeling (with some help) in Negril, Jamaica - 2006

Zip line Rainforest Canopy Tour in Negril, Jamaica - 2006

Hiking and Bouldering in Angeles National Forest, CA - 2005 & 2006

All the above photos are actually me. Don't misunderstand. I wasn't Queen of the X-Games or anything, but I was active. For years, I was on a quest to try as many new activities as I could. Whitewater rafting? Sign me up. Snowboarding? I'm there. I can't say that I was awesome at any of these activities, but I had fun. Being outdoors or being involved in some kind of athletic activity was a part of my life.

Then, my thyroid stop functioning normally. I was tired all the time. I spent most of my days asleep. No matter how much I slept it wasn't enough. I chalked it up to my commute and being overworked. My enthusiasm for being active disappeared with my energy levels. To add to the problem, the various physicians I saw through my HMO misdiagnosed my illness. It took them 6 months to figure out what was wrong. I had hypothyroidism. I was exhausted, depressed and rapidly gaining weight. The thought of getting up and driving to work was taxing. Going to the gym or for a run seemed daunting. Even with my prescription, I wasn't feeling any better. This lasted over a year. When I got married last year, I was 20lbs. heavier than I was when I got engaged.

Thankfully, I switched health insurance and got a doctor that adjusted my thyroid medication accordingly. My energy levels picked up and finally I set foot in a gym. The scale was not my friend, but worse still the treadmill was my enemy. After 20 minutes at a brisk pace, I was winded and could barely keep up. The old lady on the treadmill beside me was moving twice as fast and was still going strong when I hopped off my machine. My ego was bruised, but I was not completely crushed. I persevered.

Now two months later, my endurance is better, but I'm still not seeing the results I would like. I would love to snowboard this season and get back into climbing. Upon the advice of several friends, I decided to work with a personal trainer. My sessions start this week. I think this is where things are really going to get interesting. Wish me luck. I hope I don't get my @ss whooped too badly.