Running with dogs: the idea

Huskies Running with Friends: The Idea

There are many things that I am not very good at..... One thing that I am good at is running with dogs. In particular I am very good at running with huskies. I have run thousands of miles with huskies, covered all terrain imaginable, in all weathers and at all times of day and night.

I have trained puppies and a rescue dog to run safely around human athletes, from sub 5 minute miles to 50 miles mountain events.

I fully intend to still be running with dogs until the day I can finally run no more – if I was to believe some doctors, that was 5 years ago!!

I love seeing people learning to run and learning to run with their doggy buddies. People that would never have previously considered running are now running regularly and loving it!

When I first started running with dogs it was not common. I remember a 2-day husky rally in Exeter many years ago when my 3 dog team decided that they did not want to run on the second day. Rather than concede defeat, I unhitched them from the rig and ran with them for the full duration of the course. If only I had pulled the rig with me, then I would have finished second rather than “disqualified”! I wont embarrass others by telling you how many husky/rig combinations that I overtook on that day....!!

I have been thinking for a long time about organising a “running with dogs” event for charity. I think now is the time to put my thoughts into action...

I have two train of thoughts, one event where people and dogs race against each other over a predetermined distance.

The other idea is a little bit more special....

A team of dog running people to run the full distance of Scotland and England combined, i,e, John O'Groats to Lands' End. By road this is 868, if we were running with dogs it would be much further as it would have to be via footpaths bridleways etc.

All over Great Britain there are groups of people that run with dogs, they could all play a part in this challenge. It could be staged over several weeks or even several months. It could be like the Olympic Torch relay, bringing communities together in the quest to get from one end of the UK to the other. People could run 1 mile or 100 miles, depending on their ability and availability.

I would love to raise loads of money for charity. Every day I hear of horrendous suffering that dogs endure at the hands of humans. I cannot rescue every dog, but I would like to make a difference. I think an idea like this could capture the imagination of our nation and hopefully people would reach deep into their pockets in support.

So, where do I go from here?

I am already starting to plan the “racing” event, which will be in one location, details of which I will start publicising when I have confirmed them.

The “special” event, running from Scotland to England, will be harder to plan and will need a lot of help and support. If you like the idea, please let me know. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. I know that we can make this happen, but it will require a huge team effort.

One thing I am not very good at is asking for help. Sometimes I need to swallow my pride and ask...

Anyone think they want to be involved in either of my ideas? Matters not how little or how big you want to help/get involved. Just let me know if you “like” the idea!! Details can be sorted later...

(Photo courtesy of Ian J Berry)

Why I will never beat him....

Greensand Marathon. I had been forewarned that it was a very tough marathon. “One to avoid” the fast marathon people that I know had advised.....

Challenging appeals to me, tough I like, hills I like, and off road I love. Throw in the opportunity to run with my little training buddy Kez and it is a win, win situation.

Rob the race director had very kindly given me special permission to run with Kez, based upon his reputation and the offer of references from Race directors that have been impressed with his behaviour in their races. Kez was the doggy ambassador for the day. A position that ultimately he excelled in and even earned a few more admirers along the way...

It is always a privilege to run amongst human runners with a dog, in a “human race”. I have been doing this for all of my running career and it never ceases to amaze me how respectful most runners are of my doggy athletes. The dogs in return respect every human runner and will go completely out of their way to ensure that they do not make contact with any runner – to the point of dragging me into hedges if required!

Greensand Marathon is indeed a very tough marathon, but at this moment in time, it goes down in history as my most favourite (out of about 60 ish). The most physically demanding marathon I have run, but definitely the most emotionally rewarding.

The course is near perfect. Lots of hills, some that seem to go on forever, amazing views and challenging underfoot conditions. Spraining my ankle in the days leading up to the race ensured that I knew all about the ground conditions!

The race started with a rendition of Jerusalem, sung with great gusto from most runners – I must confess to miming as my voice should never be heard above a whisper....

Singing over, the race began with a nice hill climb into the woods, lots of huffing and puffing and several minutes later I realised that I would be struggling physically for most of the 26.2 miles. In true Pooh Bear style, I “ran out of run” after only one mile! There was still another 12.1 miles out and then 13.1 back again (on the same course) to go. Oops!

Being an experienced ultra runner, I know it is not really a problem if I am tired and still have 25 miles to go. Jelly babies, friendly runners and marshals, beautiful scenery and some inspirational thoughts will provide the energy needed to ensure that I get to the finish. Plus the fact that I am running beside the most natural athlete that I know. Kez never complains, and never asks for more than just kind words and water during a marathon. He will sometimes eat a little flapjack, piece of Freddo or the head of a jelly baby, but most times he just looks at me as if to say “why have we stopped”.

I also know that Kez will only “assist” me if I make the effort to run myself. He is a dog with a phenomenal working attitude – but he does expect me to play my part in the team. His comfortable pace is under 7 minute miling, which no way was I going to achieve on such a tough course. I resorted to very slow jogging, which ensured that he did not get too hot as the weather was surprisingly warm. He always stays in front of me, just doesn't offer me a “helping hand” up the hills. Although he did offer some assistance on some dodgy down hill sections – I think that was his sense of humour kicking in.

The only time Kez does not run in front of me is on very steep and dangerous mountain courses and when he is not happy. If he does this (when not running down a mountain), then I stop and find out why he is unhappy – this is why I will never beat him because he will always finish in front of me doing the job that his husky mind is programmed to do.

Kez did do something phenomenal during the race that I have yet to fully comprehend. He tried to go down a track that was quite obviously not part of the course. This is something he has never done before. He will always look at ever turn off from a main track as we run, but never actually try to follow it unless I give him the command to do so. He did the same thing on the return journey, at the same, precise point......

(Later that evening, Ian compared the trace from my Garmin with the trace of his Garmin from an LDWA event that we ran together (with Kez) earlier in the year. The routes crossed at one point only – that point was precisely where Kez questioned my judgement on the trail we were running on. Somehow he knew.....??)

The race was an absolute awesome experience. From start to finish I was astounded by the level of support provided to both Kez and I. Runners overtook us and spoke to Kez, as did runners that we overtook. Even the leading runners heading back towards us on the out and back course took time out from their race to shout words of encouragement to Kez.

All the marshals were super friendly – I thank you all for your time and words! Very frequent water stations ensured that I got to stop and talk to a great number of people. Next time I must remember that it is not necessary to carry three litres of liquid on a well supported route – good training I guess, but my shoulders really hurt today.

Kez was presented with his very own medal at the finish. A perfect award for a little champion dog. I was delighted with my t-shirt and running cap. There were even carrots and jaffa cakes as a finishing treat, plus a fry up breakfast - thank you to the kind lady who went into the canteen for husky sausages – Kez enjoyed them very much.

I hope we can return next year, and hopefully the temperature will be better for a husky with a thick fur coat.

Thank you Rob and Trionium – you made a husky and a human runner very happy.

The Little Angel Dog

Dear Mummy,

When I first started writing to you one year ago, I was cold, hungry and lost. I had run away from the “bad place” and was trying to find you. I hope one day I will find you as I have so much to tell.

So much has happened in a year. I have lived in many different homes and had many different names. I have met some really nice people and some very bad people.

I like where I am now, I think it is my forever home.

I have nice food every single day and I get to go out exploring the countryside every day. I am not allowed to run free when I am in the countryside, but I do not mind as I am allowed to play freely in a very large garden where lots of little mice and slow worms play chase with me. I can even pick my own raspberries and apples from the trees.

No one hurts me any more or gets cross when I try to talk or try to play. They don't lock me outside or ever tie me up. There is a little flappy door thing that I use to get from house to garden. It took me a very long time to not be scared of the flappy thing as it reminded me of when people hurt me when I tried to go through the door.

I have found a human mummy and daddy – they don't have fur like you, but they give me lots of love and attention and help me when I get scared.

They already had three fur kids when I first arrived at their home and recently they have got another little one – he is going to be BIG trouble.....

All the other fur kids were really nice to me when I arrived. Two of them are very old, and I know to respect them, but sometimes I tease Krofti and he pretends that he gets really grumpy. I also tease Kez and he pretends that he is a motor bike. I copy him - I sound like a Harley and he sounds like a Honda...

The new little fur kid is my best friend and I am showing him how to behave like a grown up. He thinks it is funny and tries to bite my ears and steal my food a little too much. I had to tell him to stop the other day and he ran and told human mummy and daddy. They smiled at me and told me I was a good boy, which I think annoyed the little fur kid because he thinks he has special rights as he is so cute. He even stole bananas and tried to hide the banana skins in my bed.

Sometimes people scare me and remind me of the bad people that didn't like me. If I get scared I ask my human mummy for help and she always seems to know what to do to make me feel better.

My human mummy and daddy run a lot and take me running with them. It was very hard at first as my body had suffered a lot from not having proper food as a baby and I could only run short distances. I would get tired quickly and have to stop and lie down.

Running makes my human mummy happy and I want to help make her happy. I have been trying very hard and sometimes I run round and round the garden to make my legs stronger and faster. I have watched the human athletes on the television and if it works for them, it can work for me.

Every Saturday Kez and I go with the humans to a local park where we get to run with lots of other people. I like running with other people as they help me go faster, but human mummy is not quite fast enough and slows me down. I think she should try running round and round the garden every day then she would be able to keep up with me.

I really like Saturday mornings as human mummy is so happy when we run and even happier when we finish. She always hugs me when we stop, and today she started crying. I don't think she was sad as she was smiling at the same time. She told me I was a very special little angel dog and she was so happy to have found me. She spoke of PBs, but I don't know what they are.

I like that she calls me an angel dog as it reminds me of you mum. You were my real life guardian angel for such a short time when I was little. Throughout the sad and bad times of my life I always thought of you and pretended you were near me, watching over me.

If I ever find you, you can come and live in this special house where the furry children and humans live a very happy life. There is a spare bunk bed for you.....

Always in my thoughts,
Kobi “the little angel dog”.

The Secret Training Diary of.....?

We are about to launch the Huskies Running website. The objective of this site is very simple – we want to share with people our huskies, running and general information and training advice based upon our experiences. We will also be offering competitions, with prizes for a wee bit of fun!

For those of you that do not know us, Huskies Running consist of Ian, Sandra and five huskies ranging in ages from 5 months to nearly 13 years old. The huskies have become affectionately known as “the K pack” as their names all begin with the letter “K” - Kade, Krofti, Kez, Kobi & Kroi “Kree”.

Both Ian and Sandra are accomplished athletes. Sandra has represented Scotland and Great Britain in World, European and Commonwealth Ultra Running Championships. Ian has a marathon PB of 2:39, and is in training to run from John O' Groats to Land's End in 2012.

Sandra has become an international athlete as a result of some fabulous training partners, our Siberian Huskies. Together they run from sub 5 minute miles to 50 mile mountain races, each husky playing an integral part in her quest to be a better runner and better person.

Our older dogs regularly run with children, to help encourage and motivate both child and husky!

We compete in both the CaniX UK canicross championship and the Canicross Trailrunners events where canicross runners are permitted to compete in traditional human running races.

Feel free to read through any items on this blog. There are both dog and non dog related running articles.

One of the features that we would like to share on the Huskies Running website is the training diary of one member of the team. This is where we need your help as to which one would be most beneficial to others....

Option 1: Our rescue husky, Kobi and his quest to run 15:45 for 5k, building towards next year’s European Canicross Championship.

Option 2: Baby puppy Kroi , his introduction to the world of canicross and his quest to become an ultra running dog, like his big brother Kez.

The little lost dog that found himself....

When we first met Kobi, I tried to look into his eyes to see what lived inside the body that had suffered so badly at the hands of humans. A blank expression was all that met with my gaze, he would not make eye contact, and would not even try to focus on his environment. Absolutely no interest in humans whatsoever. His little body carried him around, but his vacant expression showed no life at all. I had a horrid sick feeling in my stomach when I envisaged what might have happened to him in his short life. He was a very young little person that looked as if he had already given up on life....

We knew it would be a huge challenge to bring a sparkle into his eyes. We had space in our pack for another dog, and we wanted to give a “rescue” dog a new life. A life that would include being part of an amazing pack, eating fabulous food, huge amounts of exercise, even his very own bunk bed!

I felt that there was something very special inside his little shell, one of those "gut feelings" I have earned a reputation for - as evidence all around me was to the contrary. I believed that I could help him and that in some way he would help me....

Kobi was completely petrified of human beings. Petrified to the point of freezing, his mind and body completely shutting down if a human went near him. When he went into this traumatised state, one could have done anything to him and I don't think he would have shown any reaction. Dogs he understood and was fine with, humans he did not trust and did not want to have anything to do with.

He was extremely underweight, covered in fleas and full of worms when first handed into the dog rescue. Apparently he was found on the streets, but it was generally felt by the rescue centre the people that "found him" were actually his owners. His original foster owners had performed a wonderful job of cleaning him, feeding and trying to connect with him. He quickly gained weight while living with them, but would not interact with them, preferring to spend most of each day in a cage, even though the door was wide open.

When we brought him home he quickly settled into his cage, it was his little safe haven, which we respected and would not infringe upon "his space". When he did come out of his cage if either Ian or myself went within 10 feet of him he bolted into another room. We had to wait until he was in a corner before we could clip a lead onto his collar, just to take him a walk. If we looked at him he would cower and drop to the floor.

We considered that he might be very ill or possibly be handicapped in some way. He had not pain responses and his reactions (or rather lack of) to certain stimuli lead us to consider this train of thought.

He seemed fascinated with his own paws as they moved, almost as if they were a live animal that he could chase. It looked like he did not realise they were his own. Baby puppies I can understand show this type of behaviour, as they learn about themselves and their bodies, but at possibly ten months he appeared too old for this immature behaviour.

He never refused any food offered to him, did not chew it, just gulped it down as fast as possible, probably fearing that it would be his last meal for a long while. And his sensitive little tummy took a very long time to heal.

One year has now almost passed since Kobi joined our family. We have all learned a lot in that time and been through a very emotional, roller coaster journey.

Kobi loves to run and loves to race against others, both human and dogs alike. I have run with many very good dogs during my 15 years of cani-crossing, but this little guy offers me something new, and something very special indeed.

He has appeared in glossy magazines, been offered sponsorship, raced against Olympic athletes and has even been nominated to help carry the Olympic Torch next year.

But more importantly, this little boy is happy. Every day he eats good food, runs across beautiful countryside, and every day he smiles. He appears grateful for what he now has, but the truth is that I am the one that is truly blessed to have him as a running partner.