Pooch to 5k – Page 12 – Running with dogs

Woodford Fun Run

December 4, 2014 by Francis

The Woodford Fun Run is put on by the Anglican Parish of Woodford and Kilcoy. With so much obesity around, and poor health on the increase, it’s refreshing to find a social group raising money by encouraging people and their dogs to be active and have a run, rather than spend money and eat chocolate.

Starting from the back of the church hall of Saint Matthias’, Woodford, the fun run heads down a short decline before pushing gradually up a series of little hills for two and a half kilometres. It then heads back down a big hill, before closing with a return run up the first downhill. (more…)

Wild Horse Criterium

November 21, 2011 by Francis

The second annual Wild Horse Criterium was held on Easter Sunday, April 24. With distances of 50, 30, and 10 km on offer there was something on offer for almost every human or dog runner.

A run which winds its way through the forestry plantation around the base of scenic Wild Horse Mountain, this entirely off-road experience welcomes dogs into all events. There were many canine entrants in the 10 km event, with our own Guinness, Sherbet, Tiger and Sinner taking part, as well as a couple of dogs in the 50 km event – Bengal and Ebony. No dogs toed the line in the 30 km event, but maybe next year there will be a starter or two.

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They know…

by Francis

So the other night I went for a run with Sinner (Rediron Cynosure, or Cinnabar if he’s been naughty).

As I have a big run coming up, I decided not to go too far with him. He’s capable of a half marathon, and habitually I do a very hilly 12km with him around Mt Mee. Around home we generally do a 10km loop – it’s pretty flat and quiet and doesn’t involve any running over the same path twice.

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Heat Stress

by Audrey

I recently read a message from a friend who is a veterinary nurse. They had a dog admitted to hospital with heat stroke. The owner was taking it for a walk in the middle of the day. Now, you could argue that a walk shouldn’t be a big deal, but this is Queensland. The middle of the day is very hot, and often humid. Dogs can’t sweat to dissipate heat, they rely on panting and evaporation of water from their tongue. It makes sense that when it’s humid, evaporation doesn’t happen as much.

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Why I Won’t Do an Endurance Test With Guinness

by Audrey

I’ve been thinking for a while about doing an endurance test with Guinness. They are held in the winter months, and are a way of testing a dog’s fitness and endurance. The dogs have to run 20km, but it is broken up into an 8km, 6km and 6km runs. Between each run there’s a 15 minute break, and a vet check. At the end of the event, another vet check and basic obedience test is performed to make sure the dogs are physically and mentally okay. If the dog passes the test then they are entitled to have the letters “ET” after their name. I thought, given that I’m spending a chunk of my time talking about running with dogs, it would add a little to my credibility, but I don’t think so.

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A Treadmill for your Dog!

by Audrey

I am the proud owner of a treadmill, and I love it when it’s too hot, too rainy or just too inconvenient to get out for a run. It doesn’t do my dog any good, but it keeps me fit.

You may be surprised to learn that treadmills are now available for dogs, for the times when it’s not good for them to go out for a run. This could be because of the snow, or because of the heat – as we find here in Queensland at this time of year.

While they are probably good for keeping a dog lean and fit, I’m sure they are dead boring. If it wasn’t for the movies I borrow from the video store, I’d be bored on the treadmill too. My dogs love to sniff and explore as they run, and they can’t do that on a treadmill. Still, if it’s the only way they can exercise, then fair enough.

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