Training with Coach Charlie

August 31, 2009 -

The time has come: it’s time to get in shape for…fall.  Alright, maybe I’m a season behind, but really – it’s still summer in Phoenix.  And regardless, I have a better reason than any weather shift to start working out again: I have signed up to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Mind you, this is no leisurely 5K.  It’s a 60 mile walk over the course of three days through the city of Phoenix this November.  That’s right; over 6 hours a day of walking for three days straight.  It sounds crazy, but I’m so excited to do it!

Now that I’ve made the commitment (including raising over $2300 to participate!), I can think of no one better than my best friend with whom to train in tandem. Charlie loves to walk – and sniff, and mark and bark at pretty much any moving thing that passes by – but he’s a much better workout buddy than any gym class partner I’ve ever had (do images of a perfect looking perky-ponytailed girl chirping “you can do it!” right a bell with anyone?) 

This past weekend I logged 14 training miles – and Charlie accompanied me on 6 of those.  Hey, he is a little Yorkie!  I was actually quite impressed.  I also noticed that his behavior got better with every 2-mile loop we did – I think I now understand the concept of tiring your kids out before bed.  It was so nice to have him by my side, eager to keep forging ahead and loving every minute of it – it made me realize how I grateful I should be simply to have my health and be able to walk!  I’m doing the event in memory of my mom, who passed away a year ago from breast cancer, so I definitely know each day is a gift.  Ironically, Charlie was born on the day she died, and he has been a great companion through coping with that loss.

The next time my alarm rings just a little too early and I don’t feel like dragging my butt out of bed to hit the pavement, all I have to do is look over at little Char and his wagging tail to remind me that what I’m doing is going to payoff – by keeping him happy and by me staying committed to a goal in which I truly believe. I can’t wait until a few months from now when we’re both fit and fabulous. 

What fitness routines do you have for your pet?  Obviously walking is a biggie, but what other ways do you work off the pounds with your pooch?  I know friends who love to hike with their dogs, and of course swimming is fun this time of year (don’t forgot to pick up a doggie lifejacket for your little one at PetSmart!).  In case you’re not sure how jump start your fitness regimen with Fido, here’s a helpful article: http://www.pets.com/petcare/articles/prepping-your-dog-fitness-run.  And don’t leave your kitty on the couch – here are some exercises to encourage feline fitness: http://www.pets.com/petcare/articles/help-your-cat-get-fit-kitty-calisthenics. 

I’ll be updating my training progress for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk over the next few months.  You can also check out my personal event page at: www.the3day.org/goto/fortheloveofcindy.  Let me know if you’re doing the walk too and how you’re training with your canine companion!