My New Pooch to 5k Site
Posted by: Audrey Post date: April 26th, 2010So, in my free time, har har de har, my hubby and I decided to work on a project together. I had an idea, which usually makes him groan with anguish (some of my ideas are pretty wild!), but he liked this one. It’s taken a lot of work to build the site, and a few dollars to fix the bits I couldn’t do, but it’s as done as I can get it right now. When I’m a millionaire, I may make some changes, but that won’t be in the next week or two!
Yep, you can click on the image to check out the site.
The Pooch to 5k program for dogs is based on the wildly popular Couch to 5k running program. We’ve stretched it out a little – our dogs handled Couch to 5k just fine, but there are a couple of steps in that program that are a little challenging. Because dogs can’t tell us how they feel, we felt it would be easier to make the steps a little more incremental. Hence, it’s a 12 week program instead of a 9 week program.
Not everyone can find someone to run with, so we have a forum to find some cyber-dog-running buddies. You may remember when I did Couch to 5k, I did it with my friend Roseanne who lived half an hour away. We never ran together, but gosh did we get on the phone to each other and whinge when we got back from a run! Actually, that period of my life may pre-date this blog. Anyhoo, if people can find others to chat to about where they are at, then it may motivate them. Also, dog folk just love chatting to other dog folk!
We want dogs (and their owners) to become healthier and leaner. I’m so tired of going to work and telling people their dog is overweight. Every…single….time! The programs and the forum are all free, so grab them, send your friends the link, tell them I’ll haunt them if they don’t do something about their fat dogs!
Hubby and I have some pretty huge ideas for this site. It’s going to be good fun. I don’t think it will ever make me a fortune but that’s okay. as long as it can pay for its own bandwidth I’m happy.
I’d love some feedback. What do you like? What do you hate? Be gentle with me! 
11 Responses to “My New Pooch to 5k Site”
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April 27th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
I love it! Such an easy website to look around- can you design everyone’s website please??? I like the idea of running- but if you are dealing with older ladies with a fat pug could you do a walking one? Or is that just a treat problem?
I like the timed run- for people without an idea of distances- maybe you could explain the difference between the timed and the distance PDF for people who aren’t runners?
It is pretty good- I might get my sister in law or brother to have a look at it because they have a kelpie in the city and don’t run- recipe for disaster!
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Audrey Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Thanks Sara. I’ve got a lot more grey hairs now thanks to that site!! I did think of putting up a walking program but I wasn’t sure that it was necessary. I figure those who want to walk will just go for a walk. They don’t need instructions (hopefully!). A kelpie in the city is definitely a recipe for disaster if they don’t get out for a good run! Will pass on your suggestions to “he who edits the pdf’s”
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May 4th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Hi – I just found your blog – your blog title roped me in because I run with my 2-yr-old black Lab, Toby. I ran with him a lot when I was pregnant because I was very slow with that big belly and Toby likes to trot slowly!! I feel like there isn’t a lot of professional advice out there on running with dogs, so I really look forward to keeping up with your blog and getting tips. I want to be sure I’m not pushing him too much – especially with the summer months coming and because I’m faster now (had a baby boy in October 2009) – so sometimes he lags behind because I don’t think he’s used to my non-pregnant pace. Anyway, I look forward to your posts!!
.-= Alison “RunBuggy”´s last blog ..Half Marathon Comeback! =-.
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Audrey Reply:
May 4th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Hi Alison, I love your half marathon story, and Lil’ Bubba is just gorgeous!! Look forward to reading more from you.
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May 8th, 2010 at 2:52 am
I have to say…this is an awesome site. I just discovered and thought “what an awesome idea!” I run with my dogs all the time. I have 2 miniature dachsunds – Jax and Laila – and my goal is to wipe them out so that they spend their days calm and submissive (thanks Caesar!). Great stuff – you’ve got a new follower.
Yuri
Interval Training Man
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May 18th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Thanks Yuri, dogs do make the best running buddies. I feel guilty if I don’t get my boys out regularly, so they keep me motivated.
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May 19th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Hi,
What a great site. I live in New Zealand and go running regularly with my 3yrs 6mths Kelpie, Charlie. He loves it – does all the training for marathons and ultras without getting the benefit of competing! We do a couple of 2 hour runs during the week, he is particularly keen on running with the club on Saturdays, and last Sunday we were out running for about 4:30. I get in collapse on the sofa, Charlie dashes across to June and slobbers all over her – and she says, why can’t you be like the dog? The dof loves running. I was unable to run late last year and his weight went up to 22.5 kilos, so my wife got into trouble at the vets. Between startvation diet and running he is now back to 20kg. I am currently training for the Great Naseby Water Race 50k and the Glasshouse 50k. Dogs love runnig and it’s natural for us as well – plus you can eat and drink what you like if you are running without the weight piling on. Great site. Keep it up. Will keep looking in.
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Audrey Reply:
May 19th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Hi Bill, thanks for taking the time to comment, and for your feedback on the site. I’d love to see a picture of Charlie. Is he black and tan like Guinness? I strongly suspect I’ve agreed to do the 50k at Glasshouse too so I may see you there!
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June 1st, 2010 at 11:10 am
Hi Audrey, I’m hoping you got the photos ok. For a couple of years now we have used a little bike light that clips on to Charlie’s collar using a caribinner and this year it’s getting a lot of comments. We are using it on tracks that have a lot of runners and walkers on them this year, where last year it was mainly on little used tracks but we could see where he was in the dark – he just blends right in with the shadows. Now, as well as us knowing where he is, other runners and walkers know that he is there as well, so no one trips over him. The light has never bothered him and he has never tried to scratch it off or anything. We tried a light from the local pet shop but it lasted two trips to tracks and fell apart. Definitely getting lots of positive comments and it gives some people a bit of a giggle when they see a dog with a light wandering up the path.
A question – have I just been lucky or do dogs pads harden naturally if running is stepped up slowly. We didn’t run with Charlie till he was 1, then we worked up the time and distance slowly. I say run, but it’s really just a quick walk to him. We try and vary the surface, but it’s not all nice soft track. He’s never had any problem with his feet and we’ve never done anything special to look after them. Is it a working dog gene thing or just luck?
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June 1st, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hi Bill, yep got the photos, thank you. He’s a gorgeous boy. I think we’re just handling the dogs well, I’ve never had a problem with feet either but like you, I started slowly and built up to the distance. Most of my runs with Guinness are on concrete and he’s never had a problem either. Hope it stays that way!
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July 10th, 2010 at 7:20 am
i run with my dogs early here in florida five days a week, 45 minutes i like to start out between 5:45 a.m. – 6a.m. to avoid the heat and humidity. and i like the privacy of the dark. my husband cant always run with me, so yes, we rescued two dogs to be my running partners. they love it and i certainly appreciate the security they give me while running.
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