6 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD RUN WITH YOUR DOG

I never enjoyed having company to go to my pilates session, to the gym, for shopping or jogging. However, when I adopted Puma, a stray and gorgeous looking English pointer (the one in the foto), our daily walk for her No1 and No2 quickly turned into a running routine! At that time, I used to live in an apartment in Galatsi, which alone meant I had to take the dog out for walk at least twice a day, so that she could be happy and relax inside the house. Along came my first child, and the need to do cardio each day became urgent. You see, I had 10 extra pounds to loose. That’s quite how I started running every morning like mad cheetah alongside my galloping pointer, just before my son used to wake up. Music, jacket, running shoes, the leash and go! Ears waving, tongue on the floor and high on endorfines, that was our situation on our way back home. We experienced each day 30 minutes of immense freedom, among the ruins of an old cement factory. Today, Puma lives no more, but the habit of morning jogging has become my reality. Is it that endorphins level make me feel better than any drug? Is it the beautiful memories I have with Puma running together? Is it the extra pounds that are left on my body after having my third child? Everyday, between school run and the first breast-feeding of the day, I find myself running to my old school progressive music, beating loud in my headphones . Below are 6 reasons why you should consider running with your animal friend:

1. YOUR DOG DOESN’T SPEAK: I never understood those people who run together just to analyse everyday’s gossip feed. You should know that speaking is a distraction from your running performance and your breathing flow. We say that when we eat we do not speak. Well I say the same rule applies to running.

2. YOUR DOG NEVER COMPLAINS: The last thing you want is grumpy co-runner who is thirsty, hurt or tired constantly. Choose your dog, that will only stop to pee!

3. YOUR DOG FASTER THAN YOU: I bet, that even your dog is a Yorkshire, it can run faster that you. So what better than a worthy fellow?

4. YOU WILL DO GOOD FOR YOUR PET TOO: Did you ever think how cardio workouts will help your pet get healthier and happier? It will also leave it with no extra energy for mischiefs in the house.

5. YOUR DOG WILL PROTECT YOU: If you are used to running on remote areas, your dog will give you extra protection against criminals.

6. YOUR DOG WILL NEVER CANCEL OR CHANGE TIME: Unless you don’t work and have no children, and so are your friends, I believe it’s very unlikely to find a common schedule on a daily basis with another. So ditch delays, cancellations or changes in your daily workout, by choosing your dog us a co-runner.

P.S1: If all the above sounds to you”too good to be true” because you lack of energy, see below the featured dietary supplements, that will give you the energy boost you need to get off the couch!

P.S2: Dedicated to Puma, Lara, Tara, Meli, Paris and Hector.

Kakia Kaffa (kakia@arnica.gr)