Taking our pup out on weeknight runs has been good motivation for me to get a run in on cold nights. I started in early January by taking her out for 3 mile run/walk intervals. We started with 1 minute run / 2 minute walk intervals, and worked our way up to running the whole way with only two or three breaks. The intervals were great for getting me back into running shape too.

Ready for my run!

She is just so darn cute. Before I change to run, I say to her, “Do you want to go for a run?!” and her ears perk up. I don’t think she knows the word “run” yet, but she gets excited whenever we start a sentence with, “Do you want to…” When I’m pick up her harness, she comes over, sits down, and lifts a paw up so I can put the harness around her leg.

Molly at a friend's house a couple months ago.

The girl is fast. Her speed came suddenly, too. In early December, she couldn’t keep up with bigger dogs in the park. After we got back from Christmas, she was at least as fast as they were. When we run together, we keep it at my easy pace, which looks like a casual stroll on her. No wonder Vizslas are known for endurance; at my speed she barely get a workout.

We were hesitant to take her running at first since she is only 7 months old, but after seeing how easy the pace looks on her, I’m not worried. Plus, it’s only a half an hour and I’ve seen her run much harder for longer when playing with other dogs. I think it’s taught her better leash manners too. Before we started running together, she was apt to pull a bit when we walked together. Speeding up would help because we were keeping up with her natural pace. When we run, it seems to be closer to that natural pace and she stays right at my side, keeping the leash loose. I send her a lot of compliments when she’s positioned there, and since then she’s maintained a good heel even when walking.

I can’t wait to take her out for longer runs when she’s big enough in the summer.