I’ll Make a Runner Out of You Yet, James!

on March 27, 2010
in All Posts

My two little puppies are great, but I would love a third – BIG – dog!  I always imagine running with a big dog.  How fun would that be?

 

I’ve been trying to build up James’s endurance for the last few weeks.  Kind of like Couch to 5K for humans.  We’re doing the Puppy Bed to 5K.

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I’ve been taking him on fast-paced 1.5 mile walks, and today we built up to a 2.0 mile walk with minimal breaks for sniffing and peeing.

 

I rocked my new “Eh?” shirt (from Angela, who’s at Universal Studios for the day).  A creepy man rolled down his car window and screamed, “Ehhhhhh!" as we walked by.  Thaaaaanks, creeper.  Thanks.

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I really do think James could work up to a 2.0 mile run over time.  He might need to take a few walking breaks, but sometimes, I do too!  🙂

 

Before our walk, I made pancakes and smoothies for our guests.  My serving of buckwheat pancakes, strawberries, and syrup:

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Nothing like pancakes on a Saturday morning!

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And after the walk, I made a simple green monster, which contained 1 cup almond breeze, 1/2 a banana, and 2 cups raw spinach.  My energy levels are SKY HIGH since I started to drink these regularly.  Yay for GREENS!

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The secret to using 1/2 a banana and saving the other half without it spoiling?  Keep it in the peel, put in a plastic bag, and store in the fridge.

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I use 1/2 a banana in many smoothies just because I use banana for a lot of other meals – oatmeal, granola and yogurt, snacks – and I don’t want to OD on bananas!   A little banana sweetness goes a lot way, especially in green monsters.

 

I’m going to take a nap and then have a real lunch.  The Husband and I were up until 2 AM playing on our respective iPhones (we just got them yesterday, and I’m already hooked!).  We may never actually speak to one another again.  We’re just going to communicate via text message.  :) 

 

VERY exciting evening planned, too!

 

Do you work out with your dog?

{ 103 comments }

 

  • Robyn @ Bliss in Print March 27, 2010, 12:36 pm

    LOVE your post!! I think I will start training my pup so he can start running some short runs with me! Also, love the green monster segment! I NEED to start making these. What better day then today ?!

  • Allie (Live Laugh Eat) March 27, 2010, 12:36 pm

    I always wrap a piece of plastic wrap on my bananas–works like a charm. LOVE the shirt and little James is gonna run a marathon with you one day 🙂

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs March 27, 2010, 12:37 pm

    If I had a dog, I would definetly run with it! I tried once with my aunt’s dog but it didn’t work – she doesn’t know how to be led, or to follow!!
    Good for James for trying to get fit – what a trooper!
    Have a good day 🙂

  • Carrie H March 27, 2010, 12:39 pm

    I love to take my dog running! He’s a 70-pound three-year-old golden retriever, and like I’ve said, I’m training for a marathon. I’m currently stalling (sitting in my running clothes) before my 13-mile run today … and I’m going to take my dog. The farthest he’s gone is 17 miles, and he did get tired, but had fun the whole way. We take walking breaks and I carry a little bowl so he can have water out of my camelback, and I’ve carried treats and food for him as well.

    Before I got into the really long runs, my husband asked the vet how far our dog could go. He said I was training for a marathon and wanted to take him on some longer runs. The vet said as long as I work him up to long distances like I do, he should be fine. Then my husband said I’d taken him 1o miles before, and I guess the vet was really suprised! I guess he didn’t know how long a marathon was! But he said my dog should still be okay.

    I don’t think I’ll take him more than 15 miles anymore, because I am just a little too worried about it. He always seems happy and like he’s having fun, and he gets more food just like me, but I don’t want to overwork him …

    Any longer-distance runners out there have any ideas about how far is too far to take a doggie? Honestly, being with him is one of the BEST parts of my runs, usually!

    • Morgan March 27, 2010, 5:45 pm

      I wish I could take my dog that long! I’ve read that 6-8 miles is what they handle best and with my dog being a Boston Terrier (short snout), I keep her max around 4-5 miles and shorter in hotter weather. I’m fortunate to be able to run with her because those short snouts tend to make dogs tire faster.
      I would also be careful about the road conditions when taking your dog for that long. Some pavement types (and temperatures) can hurt the pads of their paws. There is something called Musher’s Secret you can slather on before hitting the road.

  • Erica March 27, 2010, 12:40 pm

    So cute 🙂 I’m always jealous when I see girls running with their big dogs…but I am grateful that Frank is lazy and slows me down sometimes 🙂 What a delicious looking breakfast. I need a nap too. Have fun tonight

  • Gym Belle of Gympressions March 27, 2010, 12:42 pm

    Love it! I’ve been trying the same thing with my dog lately. She’s pretty happy to trot alongside me – until she spots another dog. Then it’s social hour.

  • Meg @ Be Fit Be Full March 27, 2010, 12:47 pm

    As much as I enjoy running with my dog, she is pretty darn slow and is much more concerned with chasing squireel and birds than running. I usually take her with me on my “I don’t really care if I exercise” days 🙂

  • Caroline March 27, 2010, 12:47 pm

    Love the blog! I have to say, though, there is an easier way to save half a banana: cut it in half before you peel it! No baggies or refrigeration required. The part of the fruit that is left exposed will turn brown and become smooth (it kind of has the texture of plastic wrap), forming a protective barrier for the rest of the banana still in the peel. Before you use the second half the next day (or whenever you need it), trim off a sliver where you cut it before and you’re golden!

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 12:53 pm

      even better! save a baggie (i just reuse mine as doggie poop bags). LOL

      • Ariel March 27, 2010, 5:08 pm

        I was going to suggest this too! I can never eat a whole banana at a time… it overwhelms me haha. My bunny likes to eat the end 🙂

      • Morgan March 27, 2010, 5:46 pm

        Nice reuse of baggies!!

  • Kate March 27, 2010, 12:49 pm

    My pup, a 10-month-old kerry blue terrier, loves running! He goes a little nutty when he realizes we’re out for more than a walk. And it always seems like I’m more tired than he is when we get home!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) March 27, 2010, 12:49 pm

    Our dogs are too small to run but love long walks. I made Hunni promise if we get a new dog it has to be big enough to run with me. But he made me promise I’d actually go running with him/her. Catch 22.

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place March 27, 2010, 12:49 pm

    I wish I had a running dog, too! I have a 10 pound cavalier. there is no way she could ever run with me.

  • Whitney @ Lettuce Love March 27, 2010, 12:51 pm

    Love that shirt! I wish I had a running dog too. My parents’ dog can barely walk for 45 minutes, she would never make it on a run. She is so slow and stops to smell every blade of grass!

  • Kelly March 27, 2010, 12:52 pm

    I so wish I had a dog to run with or even walk with. I sometimes want to go out on long walks but feel dumb going alone, I think a dog would alleviate that.

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 12:54 pm

      you should apply to be a dog walker at the animal shelter! they always need people to walk the poochies and then you can help a dog and have a running partner!

  • Patrice March 27, 2010, 12:54 pm

    I just ran a 5k for the humane society, and there were so many people running with their dogs! A couple of them actually beat me, too! I grew up with cats, but someday I’d love to have a dog that I could run with. It would be like having someone there to push you along the way

  • Lin March 27, 2010, 12:55 pm

    Wishbone can definitely out run me. She’s a 13 pound Jack Russell. When I do try to run with her, she’s always sprinting ahead then suddenly, out of nowhere, stops to sniff around and I nearly trip over her all the time!

  • Wendy March 27, 2010, 1:02 pm

    I don’t have a dog, but I used to run with my roommate’s Australian shepherd in college. We both enjoyed it, except I was a little scared of the dog! He had some personality issues from some things that happened to him when he was younger. Once I accidently kicked him, and he turned around and snapped at me. I’d love to get a dog of my own to run with when my kids get a little older!

  • Morgan March 27, 2010, 1:05 pm

    I don’t run with my dog, b/c he doesn’t understand pacing him self and takes off like a bat out of hell, but I do love going on long walks with him. He can walk up to about 2 hours without a problem, then crashes for the rest of the day! He’s a little 17 lb. miniature schnauzer

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 1:06 pm

      sounds like me for a 5k race 🙂

  • Kate March 27, 2010, 1:05 pm

    We normally take Norman on a two mile trail by our house. Last summer he surprised us with walking an 8 mile trail. The problem with Norman though, he is part shitzu and the recommendation for the squashed faced doggies is not to run them because they cann’t breath really well. Even if we could take him for a run, I don’t think I would because he tends to get obstinate and I don’t want to accidentally jerk him if he has stopped on the trail.

    Lots of people here have huge dogs they run and hike with. The dogs always look so happy!

  • chandra hall March 27, 2010, 1:08 pm

    hey caitlin!

    your lil’ doggies are zee cutest 😉

    .. i have to say that running with a big dog is massively overrated. it looks WAY more fun in commercials (lol). if you workout with a dog i think you have to make it about the dog, not getting a workout. i’ve tried it and the dog(s) were all over the place, stopping, sprinting random directions, and one time my boyfriend and I took his sister’s pitbull on a run and it literally ran right out in front of me and dead STOPPED, causing me to fall all over him…! kinda funny now that i’m thinking back on it, actually. i’m used to totally zoning out with my ipod during runs; i didn’t like running with dogs because i had to be aware of the dogs 😛

    have a great saturday!

    ♥ http://www.prettytimepiece.org

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 3:41 pm

      hahah i definitely have tripped over jamesy!

  • dotsie March 27, 2010, 1:09 pm

    James is such an adorable pup! Love your shirt, too—LOL’d at the old creeper man! Bhahahaha…

    The pancakes look amazing!

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • Kara March 27, 2010, 1:14 pm

    Anytime you want to go running with a dog, you can borrow mine. I haven’t hit her endurance end point yet, she’s a machine. She’s a Black and Tan Coonhound mix, so basically she’s bred to run for hours. I took her on an eight mile trail run once and when we got back to the car, she wanted to go AGAIN. Running with her actually makes me up my pace since she likes to run at about an 8:45 mile pace versus my usual 9:15 mile pace. If catches a scent, she wants to go even faster!

    You have to be careful running with a dog though. Their paws can get irritated by pavement/cement, so try to find a place to run that allows them to be in the grass/dirt. Also, dogs can overheat easily. I only run mine early in the morning or on cold days. Dogs can get heat stroke just like people.

    My dog is sadly “on the bench” for runs right now because I’m eight months pregnant, but she’s good with running after a ball in the yard and walks.

    Also, you have to train a dog to run with you, it doesn’t come naturally. I trained mine to only stay on my left side and never cross in front of me (tripping hazard) and they should know that running = no stopping to sniff stuff.

    But seriously though, anytime you want to come up to Maryland for a run, my dog would be happy to accompany you 🙂

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 3:41 pm

      i have heard you have to build up their paws so they can safely run on concrete… if they are used to carpets it can be a big change!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg March 27, 2010, 1:14 pm

    I just started running with our dogs! Our cattle dog, Ella, can go 6 miles without missing a beat. Our smaller dog, Baxter (he’s a rat terrier…although he kind of looks like Maggie!) can go up to 2.5 miles, but that’s pretty much his stopping point. It’s so fun to have them with me when I run! I want one of those leash attachments that you can hook to your waist so that you don’t have to hold the leash.

  • Andrea (canyoustayfordinner.com) March 27, 2010, 1:23 pm

    Love the “Eh?” tee! You look so cute!
    James is well on his way- at this rate he’ll be doing a half mary before I do!

  • Red Head, Yellow Dog March 27, 2010, 1:33 pm

    haha I love the title of this post because my boyfriend is named James and I am trying to make him into a runner 🙂 he ran an 8k with me a few weeks ago and LIKED it! yay!

    I run with my golden. It’s great! I love it! I built him up to 12 miles during training for a half marathon….and after our long runs he was still ready to play frisbee! crazy dogs.

    Have you seen this website through runners world? http://www.runnersworld.com/dogrun/?cm_mmc=nutrition-_-2010_03_25-_-nutrition-_-DogRun
    it has really good info about running with your dog!

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 3:42 pm

      haha run james, run!

      thanks for this link!

  • Lee March 27, 2010, 1:34 pm

    I have a big dog but I have a horrible time running with him. He always abruptly stops or crosses in front of me and I trip over him.

  • Evan Thomas March 27, 2010, 1:35 pm

    My dog is so lazy. To be fair, he’s 12 🙂 And today’s the first time I’m going to see him in 4 weeks 😀 So excited!

  • Dynamics March 27, 2010, 1:45 pm

    I puppysit my daughters dog and he had ENDLESS energy and can go and go and go. For a little thing he is amazing.

  • Whitney @ whitinspired.wordpress.com March 27, 2010, 1:48 pm

    I only run with my golden retriever if I’m going a short distance…like two miles. The sheltie could never make it. His little legs would get tired. But Charlie (the golden retriever) is still young and really hyper. He doesn’t understand pacing and when I run with him, I run my fastest miles. He just takes off and pulls me along.

  • annah March 27, 2010, 1:49 pm

    I take my dog running with me. During the summer when she works up to it, she has ran up to 6 miles with me. She’s a 24lb puggle so I think James would do well also! Good luck!

  • aron March 27, 2010, 1:52 pm

    yessss i take both my girls running with me. i worked them up too, starting with about 2 mile runs and now up to 6ish, but they are BIG dogs. i have done a couple posts on running with your dogs. they can make the BEST running partners as long as you do it right 🙂

  • Matt March 27, 2010, 1:56 pm

    Lol a workout for my dog is walking up the stairs!

  • Molly @fuelherup March 27, 2010, 2:01 pm

    I have a yellow lab and a german shepherd-black lab- wolf mix. The wolf mix is now 11 and has cancer so she’s off, but she used to run 6 miles with me at a time. The lab could do about 3 miles, but now I just walk them both. The lab also swims/fetches, in the ocean, and in our backyard creek. They also both do hikes and mountain climbing, and in the winter when my sister goes sledding, they run up and down the hill with her and sometimes drag the sleds back up with them.

    My dogs are super hardcore hahaha

  • Alicia March 27, 2010, 2:08 pm

    I love taking my golden retriever Grady on long walks and hikes. There’s a great four mile trail near our house – he’s a great motivator to keep me going up and down the hills!

  • Jen March 27, 2010, 2:23 pm

    Too funny about the puppy bed to 5k 🙂

    I have a medium size doggie, a black lab/ chow mix. He used to be my running buddy. But now he’s almost 8 and his hips are getting bad so he’s my swimming buddy (yes, he wears a life vest!). The only thing that was hard for him during runs was the heat. Even with water breaks, he couldn’t do more than 4 miles during the warmer months- which is most of the time here in SC. I’d love for my next doggie to be less furrier so he can tackle longer distances with me.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople March 27, 2010, 2:27 pm

    When we have a house my husband and I are totally getting a dog. I had dogs the whole time I was growing up and I can’t wait to have the space for them again.

  • clay March 27, 2010, 2:34 pm

    I am obsessed with that cute dog! Soon, he’ll be setting PR’s too 🙂

  • eatdrinkandbemerrynyc March 27, 2010, 2:48 pm

    I am so lucky I can run with my weimaraner (70lbs of pure running lovin’ ) 🙂 it’s so great!!
    Sara

  • KatieTX March 27, 2010, 3:01 pm

    “We may never actually speak to one another again. We’re just going to communicate via text message.”

    LOL love it!

  • Lisa March 27, 2010, 3:23 pm

    I don’t have a dog (I’m a cat person) but my boyfriend and I have been talking about getting a dog for awhile. I want a dog that will go on runs with me. I haven’t figured out yet what breed that is. Michael wants a pug. 😛 Pretty sure a pug can’t run with me!

  • Emily Elizabeth March 27, 2010, 3:29 pm

    I loooove running with my Weimaraners. The two year old we run about 4 miles three times a week. I won’t take the puppy further than a mile right now (he’s eight months). They are the best running partners.

    Doak even gives me a pull when I need it! When I get out my running shoes he’s never happier!

  • Lauren March 27, 2010, 3:30 pm

    It is so cool that you are easing your dog into running! I used to have a big german shephard and she was beautiful and she loved to run. She was the perfect running partner. She died a few years ago though, and now I live in a tiny apartment with my little cat (he doesn’t like to run…at least not outside haha)

    • caitlin March 27, 2010, 3:43 pm

      i want a german shep soooo bad. i’m sorry yours passed. 🙁

  • Michelle March 27, 2010, 3:43 pm

    well, I for one am sooo stoked that you are a memeber of the iphone users now! 🙂 I have to tell you that the app RunKeeper has been my best friend since I got my phone last fall. I use it on all my runs, and it’s Great! It GPS tracks my location, speed, elevation changes, and average paces with splits. I get so excited to check out my runs on their website! 🙂 I 110% recommend that you try it out! you get your music and stats in one addition!. Also, the best running arm band that I have found for it is the Belkin one. I’ve had mine for almost 2 years, and it’s stellar!
    check it out here
    http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8Z224-LAV-Stretchable-Neoprene-Armband/dp/B0013FVZLY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1269718872&sr=1-4
    I have this one, but just in black… the lavender is cute though 🙂
    Lemme know if you try it out!

    I have decided that if I get a dog it must be of the type that can handle long runs with me! I would love to have a running companion! How much fun!

  • kate March 27, 2010, 3:53 pm

    Every time I try to run with our dogs it goes extremely unwell! It may have to do with the size of their legs too!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) March 27, 2010, 4:06 pm

    What yummy pancakes! I’m craving a change from my usual oats and pancakes would definitely hit the spot.

  • Abby March 27, 2010, 4:20 pm

    I saw a dog that looked like James on my run today. He was kind of running! My dog is a lab/shephard miz (a BIG dog!), ut he doesn’t run with me. He hurt his knee and hip when he was little (but he’s only 2 now) and is confined to short leash walks. I want a running dog someday! Like a dalmation, husky or rhodesian ridgeback!

  • Orla March 27, 2010, 4:44 pm

    I have a dog that I have tried to bring running with me. He is a 2 year old rescue boxer cross and to say that he is excitable is an understatement. I tried a couple of times to bring him with me but I ended up in the ditch a few times as he went after something like a bird.
    The solution has been that by other half cycles my long runs with me with Charlie on his lead which is attached to my partners belt. Initially I thought it was going to mean a trip to the ER, but it actually works well.
    We only have the dog a couple months so I am hoping that the more training he gets, the better he will be….
    Happy training with James!

  • Alyssa March 27, 2010, 4:47 pm

    The lunch post you just had up was a good post! Can you just go back in your browser history to copy the text you wrote and make a new post?

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 4:48 pm

      baaah no my blog ate it!!

  • Mary March 27, 2010, 4:52 pm

    I work out with my boyfriend’s husky. she takes me for a run more than I take her for a run but it’s okay. I am getting a chocolate lab puppy though on monday! So I cant wait to train him for a marathon with me this summer!

    Your green monster looks good! I really want to try it, the only thing that scares me about it is the spinach. can you taste it in the smoothie? does it really taste good with a banana?!

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 4:58 pm

      I promise it tastes great!

      • Mary March 27, 2010, 5:05 pm

        Ah! I’ll have to try it! I wanted to tell you too that I love your “eh” shirt! My best girlfriend from nursing school is from canada and I giggle every time she says it 🙂

  • Tiffany March 27, 2010, 5:11 pm

    I run with my Australian Shepherd, Roxy. She is a GREAT dog with lots of energy. I just took up running, so sometimes I feel like she’s training ME! At times, she’ll be running ahead of me, and when she looks back, I feel like she’s saying “C’mon Mom, pick up the pace!”. I must embarrass her when we pass other dogs =)

    Do you have any organized dog run/walks in your area? Roxy and I will be participating in a dog run/walk 5k in July. All proceeds will benefit Paws for Causes.

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 5:14 pm

      i would love to do one of those!

  • Julie March 27, 2010, 5:20 pm

    I actually just went to the Maryland SPCA today to look at some pups! I fell in love with a 1.5 year old 50lbs black lab, border collie mix. He’s so cute! I have him on hold until tomorrow night. Ahhh big decision!!! I live alone, so I’m nervous about having all that responsibility and also leaving him alone when I go to work. I would absolutely run with him though!! Once I trained him and built his endurance. I know collies are known for their energy.

    Random ques, is it the spinach in the green monsters that make them so beneficial and healthy?

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 5:32 pm

      you could get a dog walker or leave him in puppy day care once a week!

      and yes re: spinach 🙂

  • Candice March 27, 2010, 6:18 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I just found your blog through Angela’s. How fun that you guys got to meet up!

    I totally agree about the 1/2 banana for green monsters – it adds just enough sweetness. I store mine by cutting them in half, then putting them all in a gallon freezer bag together, so when I get up in the morning they’re ready to go! They really don’t get stuck together or anything.

    Also, I have to say you inspired me for my run this morning, so thanks! I have been a runner of about 2 years now and have done a half and a full, but the last few months I haven’t been feeling as motivated to get out there. I totally felt inspired after browsing your blog for a few minutes this morning, and my run was awesome!

    Btw, I have a yorkie, and she can go three miles with me at a jogging pace. James can do it!

    I’m glad I found your blog!

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 7:07 pm

      I am so glad you felt motivated! Sometimes I struggle with that a little bit too and always find that browse other blogs helps! Thanks for stopping by!

  • kt March 27, 2010, 6:34 pm

    I have a mostly Shepherd mix (I think he’s like three quarters German Shepherd and a quarter black lab) who I’m pretty sure could run forever! He gets HOT in the summer due to the double Shepherd coat + the black fur, but I’ve been running w him a couple times in the past 2 weeks, building up the mileage. He did 4 miles the other day no problem! I know it’ll be different once it gets a lot warmer up here.
    It’s really important to keep him under control and have him heel when we’re passing cars/other dogs… otherwise he’s happy to run a few feet in front of me, sometimes even pulling me along! I feel like I actually run faster when I’m w him, but like some people have said, it’s more about them than you when you’re with ’em, so I’m going to have to figure out how to run w him during training for races.

  • Ciely March 27, 2010, 6:38 pm

    Banana looks rough…ya gotta peel and freeze it.

    Finally tried a green smoothie
    you were right…you can’t taste the spinach.

    James might have a problem if the payment gets hot. So says the SPCA It would be like us walking on really hot sand.

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 27, 2010, 6:47 pm

    LOVE the shirt!! Too cute!! Weirdo creeper…
    Awww little James with his little legs.. he can be a runner yet 😉
    I don’t exercise with my dog, she’s a pug with tiny itty bitty legs and about dies from exhaustion after taking 1 walk around the neighborhood. She’s special 🙂

  • Jennifer March 27, 2010, 7:01 pm

    Your pancakes look awesome. I had some chocolate pancakes Thursday night. I just couldn’t resist. 🙂 I would love to workout with my dog, but I made the choice not to workout with her when I chose the english bulldog breed. lol. She is a squatty 60 lb. dog who eats and sleeps all day and I get her to walk about a block just to keep her weight in check. After this short walk she passes out for about 2 hours. Bulldogs are just not meant for running because of their smashed in noses which keeps them from breathing good. *sigh* but regardless, I absolutely love her, lazy and all.

  • Eliana >^..^ March 27, 2010, 7:09 pm

    Running with dogs is awesome, especially big ones. There are SO many dogs up for adoption at all the local shelters, please make sure you adopt instead of buy the next time you are looking for a dog. :O)

    I own 2 pit bulls, they are THE nicest dogs in the world. Most people have this bad imagine of them, but I always ask them “do you own one to say that?”. They are very sweet, get along with my cats, other dogs, children etc.

    Talking about dogs, I have been wanting to do a Operation Beautiful using Baloo (one of my dogs), I think he would be the perfect candidate to “wear” a message teaching the world not to judge by an image. :O)

    Have a great day.

  • Eliana >^..^ March 27, 2010, 7:09 pm

    Running with dogs is awesome, especially big ones. There are SO many dogs up for adoption at all the local shelters, please make sure you adopt instead of buy the next time you are looking for a dog. :O)

    I own 2 pit bulls, they are THE nicest dogs in the world. Most people have this bad imagine of them, but I always ask them “do you own one to say that?”. They are very sweet, get along with my cats, other dogs, children etc.

    Talking about dogs, I have been wanting to do a Operation Beautiful using Baloo (one of my dogs), I think he would be the perfect candidate to “wear” a message teaching the world not to judge by an image. :O)

    Have a great day.

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 7:14 pm

      My auntie has a pit and she’s so sweet. Hate the deed not the breed!

  • Laura Georgina March 27, 2010, 7:16 pm

    My fox terrier has plenty of energy AND digging instinct. They don’t mix for runs! Though he can sprint like crazy–you just have to be ready for him to stop dead in his tracks if there’s anything sniffable around.

  • Kristina @Mendonpondmusings March 27, 2010, 7:16 pm

    Sadly my little Wendell is too small to run – he does love hiking though so I’m psyched for it to warm up and snow melt on the mountain tops.

    I just switched over to Almond Breeze and I’m loving it. Thanks for the tip.

  • Katie March 27, 2010, 7:30 pm

    I’d love to have some furry running buddies but my dogs (two wiener dogs)are crazy. Taking them out into the neighbourhood on leash is sometimes stressful. One is like Hannibal Lecter. He’ll charge at leaves, snowmen and anything else that looks at him funny. We generally only walk them at off peak times. I always feel a twinge of envy when I see someone run by with a nice sedate dog.

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) March 27, 2010, 7:39 pm

    i do in the summer, spring, and fall…we go hiking several times a week and sometimes we go jogging (i didn’t do a great job leash training though, and a 100-lb dog isn’t easy to run with if they’re not leash trained!)

  • Carolyn @ lovinlosing March 27, 2010, 7:52 pm

    My larger dog gets too hot too quickly since he’s black plus he already gets muscle cramps in his back legs. I don’t think he could handle it. Our other dog is too small.

  • Nicole, RD March 27, 2010, 7:55 pm

    Everyone I know with an iPhone is totally addicted! I’d love one someday, but for now I’m okay with my BlackBerry!

    Those buckwheat pancakes look wonderful, absolutely wonderful!

    Lily (bulldog – NOT athletic!!) can walk 1.5 miles. We can’t seem to get past that. She knows her way home and she’ll just quit walking. I fear getting too far away from home and having her get stubborn and not move!! 🙂

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) March 27, 2010, 8:01 pm

    agreed …Sunday + pancakes = perfection!

  • Caroline March 27, 2010, 8:15 pm

    I have a Jack Russell puppy who I definitely plan to start training to run soon. He’s definitely got the energy and I’m hoping an almost daily run will help calm him down a little. Unfortunately I have to cross a highway to get to a good place to run or walk so it may wait until we move in July. Need to get him better behaved on a leash first!

    • Cat March 27, 2010, 9:53 pm

      Consider a harness for the running. It makes running with a pup MUCH easier 🙂

  • Stephanie March 27, 2010, 8:57 pm

    Love the shirt! I usually do the same with half bananas, or just pop them in a small tupperware container – that works well too. My dog probably wishes I took her out running or walking more than I do… she is so full of energy!!

  • Cat March 27, 2010, 9:51 pm

    I love running with my dog! Part of the reason I picked her was because she’s small (18-pound Jack Russell mixed with unknown breeds), but she has big flanky, athletic legs, so I knew I could run with her!

    I often take her on 3 – 4 mile runs with me and she LOVES it! I often joke that she should have a marathoner for an owner, because she’s SOOO fast and loves running so much!

  • Laurel March 27, 2010, 9:52 pm

    Love the shirt! Those strawberries look delicious!!

  • Sarah March 27, 2010, 10:04 pm

    I’ve got a Jack Russel Terrier so YES we comes on lots of workouts with me. She’s a little dog but her breed is SO energetic I’m sure she’d drive us batty if I didn’t take her out.

    I always tell people to imagine putting a 60 pound Labrador in a 20 pound sack! That’s the energy level on my pooch.

  • laura March 27, 2010, 10:25 pm

    Love your blog! The mention of the creeper spurred this comment haha I’ve recently started jogging outside but sometimes random people in cars would scream as they drive pass and stuff. I try to ignore it but I get really annoyed sometimes. Did you get annoyed or just shrug it off?

    • Caitlin March 27, 2010, 11:46 pm

      haha i actually have a points system (meganerdruns.com taught me the method). one honk = 1 point. one yell = 2 points. hehe basically i just laugh it off. and don’t engage.

  • Kalli@fitandfortysomething March 27, 2010, 10:47 pm

    Love the shirt! When my hubs and I got our iPhones we did the samething. They are so addicting!

  • Judy (cookbook maven) March 28, 2010, 5:28 am

    My dogs love to run . . . for about 2 minutes. They’re sprinters, not long distance runners. Lola is very, very fast, and really loves to run, but even she doesn’t like to do it for long. I suppose some little dogs really love to run, but I have to go out on my runs alone.

    Have you ever considered agility for them? It’s great fun. We did it before we moved, but money’s a little tighter since we moved, so we’ve had to give it up. 🙁 For now, anyway.

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 7:35 am

      James gets really nervous when people are telling him what to do – I don’t think he’s an agility kind of dog! Too bad because he’s smart and would probably like it. They have ability courses at our dog part and he refuses to do anything. LOL

  • Judy (cookbook maven) March 28, 2010, 7:47 am

    Is he food motivated? If he is, I bet he’d love agility if you found the right instructor. It’s all about the food!

    Lola was petrified of the barrel they use for the chute the first time she saw it — refused to set a foot in it — but with treats, soon learned to love it.

    But it takes the right kind of instruction.

    I have some really, really old video of us doing just a bit of agility at http://www.judysworld.net/blog (and I’ve lost almost 30 lbs since then).

    It’s a mental challenge for the human eventually, too! We have some home made stuff so I do run them around the backyard occasionally.

  • whitney March 28, 2010, 8:18 am

    I used to take my chocolate lab for runs with me the longest we did was probably 4 miles but she has really bad hips now so walking even a mile for her is hard 🙁

    Exercising with dogs is so much fun!

  • Lia March 28, 2010, 8:56 am

    Hi Caitlin!! I’m from Greece and I’ve been reading your amazing blog for about a year now. You got me hooked on oatmeal!!! I love it!!!
    I made one now for the first time and although it tasted delicious, my blender didn’t blend the spinach too well and I chew some of it.
    I just wanted to ask what brand of blender do you use?

    • Caitlin March 28, 2010, 10:32 am

      I have a Kitchen Aid one and it’s great. I think there’s a huge difference between entry-level blenders and mid-range blenders (I’ve never tried a super nice one). So maybe you can upgrade a little OR leave the blender on for a long time?

  • Di March 28, 2010, 12:08 pm

    I’m the same way about banana’s. Love them a little too much, so I just use half at a time.

    Dogs do eventually get used to the activity level. I have 2 dalmatians and we’ve got our trained to walk 2+ miles, but with weighted backpacks. Somedays we go further but they are getting older now and I don’t want to push them, I’d rather give them multiple walks a day than one long 5 miler so instead they do 2.5 miles, then a couple of 1 mile quickies.

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople March 28, 2010, 2:23 pm

    Ok, I finally broke down and tried a green monster. Wow! The spinach taste definitely goes away. I added strawberries to the banana though. The spinach/milk/banana combo alone tasted like nothing to me. So I needed an extra punch of flavor!

  • Karissa @ CardioFoodie March 28, 2010, 3:14 pm

    I have a little terrier mix. He maxes out at 3 miles walk/run. He actually did his own race today for the Houston Humane Society, he did so great!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) March 28, 2010, 9:32 pm

    A little bit of banana really does go a looooooong way!!

  • TorontoGirloutWest March 29, 2010, 2:13 am

    Recently I’ve been attempting to turn Daisy into a running partner. Sghe is a half shihtzu and half bichon. So she’s very small and weighs just shy of seven pounds.

    She loooooves to run but only for short spurts. Currently she goes 1.75 miles then lies down on the trail! lol I would like to make it to three miles with her. What can I say? I love the company!!

  • Tara March 29, 2010, 3:32 pm

    Oh, man! You literally had me laughing out loud with the old man screaming “EHhhhhh?!” …my coworkers think I’m nuts.

    We just adopted a dog a couple weeks ago!! His name is Maddox, and he’s an adorable Lab/Corgi mix. I took him on a short run/walk (about a mile or so to test the waters) and I stepped on his paw!! Only once! He was crossing in front of me (like dogs do) and I couldn’t shift direction fast enough. He was totally OK, just yelped a bit. We need to learn leash manners a little better before trying another run!!

  • cara March 29, 2010, 6:06 pm

    I used to run with my small pups (westies) until my vet told me it wasn’t the best idea to go running with the small dogs like that for more than 2 miles. Apparently they aren’t designed for long distances but more for sprints (chasing squirrels and what not). They said it could injure their hips and cause arthritis. I have no idea how it is for big dogs though. Nor do I know if this is all true. i would ask your vet before you go very far. I love all the dog stories in the comments. They all made me laugh! haha.

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