Running with your newf...

Lkorzen

Lkorzen

New member
I am attempting to run using the C25K running program which is supposed to take the average couch potato (me) and teach her to run a 5k using their 9 week program. Running is lonely for me without my doggies and I was wondering if I could take my 6 year old newf, Zacc, with me? He is not out of shape and we hike several times a week, but I know he is getting older.

I have been running/walking on a treadmill but with spring coming I am anxious to get out on the trails. I know that it is not a good idea to let him run on pavement, but what about packed gravel and dirt?

I know two of my newfs couldn't do it, they are just a year older than Zacc but are already slowing down on hikes and stuff. I also my my new little Landseer baby, Tasha, who will be 7 months old next week. Could she run or is she too young?

Does anyone run with their newf?

I should also say that I am NOT a fast runner by any stretch of the imagination and usually jog between 4.5 and 5.0 mph. Plus doing the program I basically run 3 minutes then walk 3 minutes.

What are your thoughts???
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
LOL..I walk 5 miles a day with mine, but Lukey and Annabelle ( both 6 this year) most likely run about 6-7..they are up and down and chasing after imaginary things all the time. I suppose they have had Tessa from the day they came here and she is very active and leads the pack on adventure..Katy however chooses to stay near me at the walk. I think it is important that the newfie is fit and sound..only trial and error will tell you that. Qe are never on the road, only dirt and gravel
 
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blaue_augen

blaue_augen

New member
When we got our first dane from rescue she was about 1 year and I remember reading that it is not good to run with danes while they are done growing (something about all the weight on their tender joints?). So I would think the same would apply to any giant breed. But when I think about it, puppies run around the yard all the time on their own .... ??? I'm sorry, I'm no help.
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Personally I would not run with a newf. They are not built for running like a lab or dalmation. No matter what surface your newf's weight will pound on the joints and cause problems.

Being a runner I know how lonely it can get. I find running with a buddy helps. When I run alone I love to listen to my music. The right song can put a spring in your step and really revive you. You can also make running more interesting by doing intervals of speed work and changing your running route. Maybe one day I'll do speedwork then the next run hills or maybe I'll just take a slow long run where I don't care about speed just getting in the miles. Today I ran 5.2 miles with part of the pace being race pace and part of it being about 1 minute per mile under race pace.

Why wait til spring to run outside? I ran outside today. It was 28 degrees and I wore a light weight long sleeve tech shirt and capris. You always dress as if it is 20-30 degrees warmer. You will get warm when you run. Personally I cannot stand to run on a 'dreadmill'. When the weather is really bad I do run on the track at the YMCA.

Good luck with your running. I have run several groups that train people to run a 5K. I started a group at my church called Christians In Action. We start this Tuesday for an 8 week training schedule to run a 5K on May 4th. We train then have a short devotional. Of course we only meet officially 1 time per week so each person is responsible for completing the 2 other workouts. Good luck.
 
Cascadians

Cascadians

New member
Running with one's dog using joring gear is totally rad! It is called Canicross and there are entire orgs dedicated to this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canicross

http://youtu.be/CZYO-SRoF0k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uf0hFa6JNY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z8BI0cr3Do

I caninordicwalk with Orka all the time -- walking with trekking poles in joring gear -- human belt, dog harness, bungeed tow line -- and skijor, bikejor, rollerjor, and will soon be buying a Diggler dog scooter.

There is no better sensation than flying along with an exhilarated Newf pulling as he was born to do. I am starting to trot / jog a little at a time while out caninordicwalking.

This is a fantastic sport because the dog gets a good workout pulling and running in lead position and the humanimal gets a great hands-free power boost from the dog engine. Once your dog learns the commands you'll get addicted. We belong to the Cascade Sled Dog Club where lots of us nutcases hit the trails bungeed up for fun.

Here's a tool you'll grow to love:

https://maps.google.com/maps?hq=htt...=0.346132,0.727158&z=11&lci=bike&dirflg=b&f=d

Absolutely amazing map that shows trails! Bazillions of trails! Go to where you live, zoom in and out, enjoy! :)
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Just read your post again. I see you are doing the run/walk method. Have you checked into the Jeff Galloway training. He is known for perfecting the walk/run method. Personally I prefer Hal Higdon's training program. The C25K programs can be good too but I've never used one. When I start the beginning runners in my groups I use the Hal Hidgon Novice 5K training program. The first week you rest on Monday, run 1.5 miles on Tues, rest on Wednesday, run 1.5 miles on Thursday, rest on Friday, Sat run 1.5 miles and on Sunday walk 30-60 minutes. It starts off very simple and the longest run is a 3 mile run. For my more advanced runners I have them train using speedwork as well as running steps and/or hills. The longest training run for the 5K is 5 miles. I do find it is better to at least have a few training runs as far or farther than the distance of the race you are training for.
 
Lkorzen

Lkorzen

New member
Jeannie...any advice for a brand new runner who all of a sudden has knee pain and soreness? ALso I have been reading about striking and I think I am naturally a heel striker but have heard that midfoot striking is easier on knees and shins...your thoughts???
 
KatieB

KatieB

New member
I run with mine and they love it. They get xrayed first and I don't start until a year to 18 months and start as a run walk and build to about 2 miles at a time. Keeps them in great shape and me too. I'll usually take Bella for 2 miles drop her off and pick up Mojo for two miles. Mojo doesn't really walk anyway. My running pace is the pace he wants to go at on a walk. He gets bored and frustrated with an actual slow walk. I think it's great if you have a healthy athletic newf.
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Lkorzen said:
Jeannie...any advice for a brand new runner who all of a sudden has knee pain and soreness? ALso I have been reading about striking and I think I am naturally a heel striker but have heard that midfoot striking is easier on knees and shins...your thoughts???
Click to expand...
There are many things that can cause sore knees. How long is your stride. Your foot should not strike way out in front of you. That can cause sore knees. Another thing is not stretching properly and the surface you run on. Never stretch cold muscles. I usually run about 5 minutes then stretch. Limit running on concrete as it does not give. Not having the proper shoe for your foot makes a big difference also.

My husband is a heel striker and so are a few of my friends. What has helped my husband a lot is changing to Newton Running Shoes. They make you run on the ball of your foot. When transitioning to the shoes you need to purchase the Lady Isaacs for women or the Sir Isaacs for men. That model is the one that has the less drop. If you get the distance or gravity first you WILL have problems. I love mine even though I am not a heel striker.

All that being said when you run you are going to hurt. My knees use to be very bad but chaning my shoes helped a lot. You are going to have aches and pains, black toe nails among other things. Just get use to it!
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
KatieB said:
I run with mine and they love it. They get xrayed first and I don't start until a year to 18 months and start as a run walk and build to about 2 miles at a time. Keeps them in great shape and me too. I'll usually take Bella for 2 miles drop her off and pick up Mojo for two miles. Mojo doesn't really walk anyway. My running pace is the pace he wants to go at on a walk. He gets bored and frustrated with an actual slow walk. I think it's great if you have a healthy athletic newf.
Click to expand...
There is nothing better.....Fit newfies, yeahhhhh
 
Cascadians

Cascadians

New member
KatieB said:
I run with mine and they love it. They get xrayed first and I don't start until a year to 18 months and start as a run walk and build to about 2 miles at a time. Keeps them in great shape and me too. I'll usually take Bella for 2 miles drop her off and pick up Mojo for two miles. Mojo doesn't really walk anyway. My running pace is the pace he wants to go at on a walk. He gets bored and frustrated with an actual slow walk. I think it's great if you have a healthy athletic newf.
Click to expand...
Xrayed 1st here too, got vet A-OK. During puppyhood leashed walks and unleashed walks and free time playing on soft grassy ground, gradually built up distance and endurance. What you typed is exactly right: a human even jogging does not go faster than a fit Newf. Orka also gets totally bored with a normal leashed walk. Off leash he can run around ahead / behind / in circles like Ronnie posted and get in his running. Running in the grass while one bikes a nice moderate pace is his favorite. For jogging / running, joring is his preference. For long distance running / loping / trotting he LOVES hitching to huskies and running in the snow. I've had runners hitch him up to see what he likes for dryland trotting, also roller skaters, and Diggler dog scooters.

Even though it's too slow, I'm gradually adding my running to our joring because I think a human should be able to run, but am not going to do a lot or race, because read that if one has not run before age 50, it may be hard on the human's joints.

So totally stoked about joring gear, using it continually now, love the freedom it gives us to go anywhere in daytime and follow the leash law yet go faster and / or get a better workout than mere walking.

If you want to explore all kinds of trails, the map link above is great for finding whatever you want. I use it to plan every day and the week / month ahead, so exciting!
 
jane

jane

New member
I power walk and jog with Merlin and Shannon every day. We power walk, then go into a short jog, back to power walk etc...They love it. In the hotter weather I don't jog with them. Just walk them because of the heat.
 
ElvisTheNewf

ElvisTheNewf

Active member
Elvis will jog if its cold and we turn left out of the driveway. If we turn right, he only walks. He doesn't last long and we don't let him go too fast, but he gets excited and tries!
 
Jeannie

Jeannie

Super Moderator
Lkorzen said:
Jeannie...any advice for a brand new runner who all of a sudden has knee pain and soreness? ALso I have been reading about striking and I think I am naturally a heel striker but have heard that midfoot striking is easier on knees and shins...your thoughts???
Click to expand...

Asked my personal trainer: walking lunges, squats, jump squats all will help th knees.
 
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