Ellie and the Treadmill

So, last week I was running on the treadmill for my workout. It was late, very dark, and very cold. I don’t like to run on the treadmill, but evenings like this call for it.

Ellie was hanging out in the room with me. I thought to myself, “Hmm, this whole running on the treadmill thing isn’t very efficient. Now I’ll have to take her out for a long walk afterwards… it’s much easier to kill two birds with one stone!” That got me to thinking; could she run WITH me on the treadmill? 🙂

Of course, I had to try it. So, we started out walking, me holding on to her collar. I think she was a little confused (how do I pace myself against a moving floor??), but quickly caught on. We kept increasing the speed until we were going 10 minute/mile pace. She was doing great! I let go of her collar. At that moment, she either slowed to look around or stopped all together. Not a good idea on a treadmill. I looked behind me and she’s lying on the carpet behind me. Oh no!!!!

I’m thinking to myself, wow… why do I try things like this? Honestly. But Ellie got up and began circling the treadmill as if saying, let me try again, mom! So, we did 🙂 This time I got a leash, since it’s really difficult to run while hanging on to someone’s collar. We started out slow again, and worked up in speed. She ran an entire mile! We stopped, I gave her a big hug and a lot of “good girl!” praises, and I continued on with my workout.

Yesterday was another treadmill evening. It was my second workout of the day; Ellie and I had done 7 miles in the morning together already. Yeah, 2-a-days. Anyway, I’m minding my own business and all of a sudden Ellie starts circling the treadmill. First, she watches me for some time from the front. Then she sits near the back, as if contemplating jumping on :). Then she moves to the side and nudges her leash. Hahahaha! She’s asking to run with me!! How funny 🙂

So, she got on and did 2 half mile sessions with me. It’s not the most comfortable thing in the world for me (she tends to want to take up most of the belt room) & we go a little slower than would be ideal — but it’s great to have a companion. If she keeps wanting to do this with me I’m sure we’ll work out the whole spacing thing. Plus, it’s an nice way to make the time go by. She’s either running with me, watching me, or asking to come on — makes for constant entertainment! 🙂

I’ll have to post a picture in the next few days!