Doggy Dash Cause for Paws

Autumnfilly2005

My mom and I are signing up for a 5k in September. I'm really nervous about it, but at least I get to bring my dog! My only concern is that I want to run the course, but my mom will be most likely walking it instead. How do I tell her that I want to push for running instead of walking? She has a much worse fitness level than I, and is afraid of running (afraid of falling while running). I tried to give her the c25k program, but she felt, like me, that it was too hard for her basic fitness. She actually thought it was exercises you do while sitting on the couch!

I'm really glad to see her motivated to be more active (she's diabetic, so it's really important for her), but I don't want to offend her because I am younger and able to push myself harder. I almost wish I could just run the race, and then come back and walk it with her.

beautifulwarrior18

If it is important to you that your mom is active walk it with her and be her encouragement. There are plenty of other 5ks you can sign up for and run. Tell your mom when she can easily walk 3 miles she is ready to start the c25k.

parsonsk64

You do the running part and let your mom walk the 5K with your dog!

congruns

You do the running part and let your mom walk the 5K with your dog!

Then after you finish your run, go back on the course and walk with your mom and dog.

This must be the Santa Monica dash. I've run a few races on that strand and it's wonderful.

Autumnfilly2005

Yes, it is Santa Monica. Is the course actually on the sand? We have no idea what it's going to be like. And I agree it is more important to support my mom than to worry about running. There are plenty of 5ks I can do on my own and run those. There's no way I could leave my dog behind while I went running. My dog is a shepherd mix, and she's what I call a "go" dog. She just wants to go-go-go! all the time, not even stopping to pee all over the place. At least I know she'll keep up with me!

I've had a bit of a set back. I twisted my ankle last week, and I'm still having a lot of pain just walking on it. After a week of rest, I'm walking for a couple weeks, and then trying to start the c25k. That means I won't be up to the full 30 minute run by September. There's another local race in December though, and I'm thinking of registering for that one as my first official "run."

congruns

There's enough paved pedestrian and bike paths to have a race. Depends were on the strand it is held, there are usually 2 separate paths off the sand for bikes and pedestrians.