From Couch to 5K: How I and My Dog Reclaimed Our Running Routine

Here’s what I’ve discovered about exercise: It is really, really hard to get in shape, but it is really, really easy to fall out of shape.

Unfair.

Seriously, though, it took me and Cooper (well, me… Cooper’s fine…) two times through the C25K training app before we (I) were able to complete a 5k. Then life got crazy, and yesterday we (I) were totally wrecked trying to run less than two miles.

SO unfair.

I want to get back into the running habit. It’s good for me, of course, but it’s necessary for Cooper.

Do any of you love a dog like this: If Cooper doesn’t get sufficient exercise, he goes insane. Like, he blacks out, dashes around the house, pummels the cat, and bites onto corners of things.

He needs exercise to stay sane.

Side note: We’ve always said iterations of, “When Cooper grows up, he’ll calm down” or “Once Cooper matures…” or “Cooper hasn’t grown into his head yet…”

Cooper will be seven in August. I’m starting to think this is just how he is.

So, I signed us all up for a 5k for this Saturday. I thought it would motivate me to get my butt in gear. Of course, I signed up a couple weeks ago and only went for my first run yesterday, so Saturday might be a smidge rough. For me, anyway.

Question: Are any of you guys the person who says, “Oh, I just love running. It really clears my head!” or some similar iteration? If so, I’d love to know if it came naturally, like you just took to running, or if you had to fight and slog and struggle through the early stages to get there?

All this comes to a head because the Healthy Dog, Healthy You challenge is underway. (I shared the start of it and my goals here.) I’ve been lurking in the Facebook group and am blown away at all the awesome progress being made by people and pets! It’s super motivating!

Even MORE motivating than seeing other people’s progress?

Coloring!

Well, OK, not coloring specifically, but here’s my deal: I need to track things. If I’m trying to establish a new habit–say, jogging with Cooper every day–I NEED to document it somehow. As you all know, I’m a paper-and-pen gal, as is my friend Jodi from Kol’s Notes.

She made these super fun, totally adorable Habit Tracker sheets to help keep me going. Instead of boring checkboxes, there’s a dog and a cat version that you get to color. Even if you’re NOT trying to track a new habit, you should totally download and color them anyway. They are just that cute.

The other big thing that will get its own post some day is the training we’re starting with Cooper. I HAVE to track our progress with that because I need to stay on top of it, for one thing, but I also need to see progress visually to stay focused because it’s going to be painfully incremental.

Snag your own:

• Here’s the Dog Habit Tracker.
• Here’s the Cat Habit Tracker.

Honestly! How cute are those?! I feel like I can have a few going at once: one for Cooper’s training, one for my running, and the cat one for the 15 minutes of play we’re trying to do with Newt each day.

Are you participating in the Healthy Dog, Healthy You challenge? Have you set any summer fitness goals for you and your pup? Do you love running (tell me your secrets!!!!!!!!!!!)? 

I’ll let you know if I survive Saturday… 😉