everyone needs some down time ...

Well that time of year is upon us ... the time of year when I give my guys downtime. I try to give them 2 - 3 big breaks a year. This big break will be 6 weeks off Agility training. I know when this time is coming ...

I might need a break if:

- If I start to train for the sake of training, and if I don't feel I am training anything specific. It is hard when we have Arena time, to just want to go and play around "do little things" - but really is it a benefit? Is it making them better, or me a better handler for them?

- If I end a training session and haven't gained or learned anything - I need to have a break.

- I feel my dogs have been working more than having off days

- If I have big events coming up and me and the dogs need some time to refocus and refresh

- If I feel I am losing desire ... I don't want that to rub off on the dogs in any venue we take part in, I need to give them my 150% all the time - and can anyone really do that 365 days a year?

Off time of Agility doesn't mean we become couch potatoes and do nothing. It is really a time to forget about "that other world" and spend time doing other things - maybe learn a new trick or two, refresh some other skills. Also, making sure their bodies have some recovery time from the various impacts of the sport and keeping fit. Keeping up on all of our conditioning (that includes me!) - Long walks, coulee runs, Jogging (me & the dogs) Treadmill (mostly the dogs and a little bit for me - I work while they exercise :)), strength-training (peanut ball, pods, body resistance - active stretching). They get their weekly massages - now a little deeper if they need it, and so I can find any potential areas that might need more attention (clearly from the above photo - they hate it) This is just what I do for me and my dogs - and it seems to really work for us.

Gyp is also on a 6 week break from Therapy work - again I think she needs a break from it - it's not something that is physically hard, but I do think it is mentally draining on her - she sleeps like a baby after her visits.

I am looking forward to 2012! 2011 started out a little rough, but it turned out to be a pretty great year.

-30C, and I'm running in my shorts

How nice it is to go for a run in my shorts with my little pal at my side :)

One of the best investments we ever made is our wicked awesome treadmill. We bought it last month for those days that are so awful you just shouldn't be outside. And as well for my rehab ... and well, Gyp's rehab too!

I never saw the need for a Treadmill, and NEVER thought I would put a dog on one. And it also MUCH easier on my knee than running on cement. Why use a treadmill, when I can run outside? Well -30 windchill sucks ass. That's why.

It has been a process to get Gyp on the scary noise-moving thingy. Knowing she would be hesistant about it, we started out just by treating for going on it. Then I did a few short sessions (30 seconds) with it at a slow walk. Gyp would plant herself to the floor. Finally we got up to 2 minutes at a walk, with me strattling her while standing on the sides. Then EUREKA! I fit beside her. From that day on, it's been smooth sailing. We built up to 10 minutes at a walk (while she did a light jog) and she did great. Now we do 20 minutes and she can do a nice extended trot and I can do a light jog. I usually have the incline anywhere from a 3 - 6. Just us, side by side, me and my little buddy. When we are done, we stop and feed her on the treadmill a few treats for her good work, then an OK to release and we do her (and my) stretches. She is doing so well with it, it is amazing. The pay off has also passed onto elevators, for our past 2 visits at the Seniors homes, the elevator hasn't phased her at all - she no longer thinks the sky is falling.

Then there is Kaleb ... he took to it right away, the dog has no fear, and thinks everything is a game ... he gives'er on it. And as an FYI I keep him and Gyp on a lead just layed over the arm of the treadmill, so they will never get hung up on it - they can jump off if they had too.

No Pain, no gain.

So I've been training hard in preparation for going under the knife, and that big day is March 15th. I am not looking forward to it, but I've been pushing my knee so hard these last few weeks, it is clearly evident something needs to be done. That is how I am dealing with it - the pain is a constant reminder. When I am not in pain, I convince myself I am OK. I've had to ice after my Sport Conditioning workouts and deep squats and inclined running sure make it swear at me. Bar-knee practically lives on my leg right now.

I've been working with a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, and he is getting my butt in gear for the upcoming months ahead. The stronger I am going in, the quicker my recovery will be. I've pretty much doubled my protein intake (with being a vegetarian, it can be a challenge). He is coming up with a meal plan and workout schedule for me also, and I am having to track everything I eat - which it sort of interesting (do I really need to write down that I ate a Timbit?)!

I had Matabolic Typing done and a full body caliper test on various spots on my body to test for FAT and where I carry it. I am not doing this to lose weight, I am tying to build muscle and get stronger. I need to replace 6 pounds of fat with 6 pounds of muscle - at least.

I had a full body test done that tests Movement, Strength and Flexibility. I am naturally very flexible, but I need to improve my strength and make moving more fluid - and that is hard with my muscle compensation. Perhaps Gyp and I should do Cavelliti's together?

So look forward to seeing a stronger, more ripped version of myself in the next few months ...

And If I ever look like this, please hit me over the head.

Is this a man in a dress?

:)

Today CIndy and I travelled to Calgary for a re-check for our dogs. Cindy made appointments for Sunar and Pike and me for Gyppie ... 4.5 hours round trip - good company makes it go much quicker!!

AND ...Gyppie is getting better already! YAY!

Happy! Some new exercises for her. Lots of range of motion, and only a bit of tenderness at just the one insertion point. She got some acupuncture, a re-check of her back and some laser. Dr.Devall was really impressed with how fast it seems to be healing - but not to be fooled. So still another good 2 months until agility, but we have lots to keep us occupied in the meantime. She suggested 2 shorter jogs a day so I don't see fatigue - even though the fatigue happens way later and way less than it was. She thinks 2 shorter sessions would be more beneficial - easier for me too. She can do the peanut ball this week, but only standing on it with not much movement at all. More cavaletti work, and walking backwards downhill to lengthen the muscles, causing her to step longer. And to continue with the same exercises we've been doing.

Nothing like a 4.5 hour round trip for a 1 hour rehab visit :) But dogs don't lie when it comes to results and feeling good. And I am seeing results, and she is feeling good ....so it is all worth it.

90%

Interesting knee factoid of the day: The ACL is responsible for 90% of the stability of the knee, and I don't have one. It sort of makes me sick to my stomach to think about it actually.

Have I mentioned how much I love Bar-Knee? Here is our first family photo together from Regionals. Bar-Knee was as reliable a Gyp that weekend, I hope we all can continue to work as a Team.

Sometimes I am astonished at how the human body and technology work together, it is really quite amazing. And yes, I am well aware that I look like a teenage boy.

gone to the dogs.

I travelled my fourth weekend in a row to Calgary ... why don't I live there I ask myself? Then I drive on Deerfoot in Monday morning Rush Hour traffic, then it all comes back to me.

Saturday Amanda organized an Obed/rally fun match here in town, I just stayed for the Obedience part. K is entered in Open for the first time in a couple weeks (GULP), and the more ring experience the better - for me more than him! I am happy to report he was great! He scored a 194.5, barked 3 times in his out of sight stays and was overall a very good boy. I just need to remember to keep my body a little less animated on recalls etc. Jane was amazing in Novice, retirement has been good to her, she placed 1st and scored a 197.5, won a super cool toy and Gyppie scored a 193 for 4th place. I'm feeling more confident about getting in the ring now. We've done 3 full run throughs in 2 weeks, and each time is better. Here's hoping we can keep it together in 2 weeks from now. I've got a list of reminders like I use in Agility, and hopefully that will help me keep my cool.

Sunday I heading up to Calgary with Gyppie for Terry Simon's seminar, it ran in a Trial format with feedback after each run. We ran 3 Challenge courses and 1 Mas. Jumpers. Gyp ran great, but was really tired by the end of the day. I pushed myself and was happy with most of my handling, lots of crazy discrimination, and lots of tough handling to be had (lots of cool things to set up again). The funniest thing was her 20/20 on the Table, she jumps up right into position ... um perhaps we should train that differently? She was the only dog in the seminar to Q in the second and third Challenge classes we ran - I don't run for the Qs, I let the cards fall as they may, and they fell good on those 2 runs. She always gives me 110%, and I was happy I was able to to do the same for her this weekend. My knee was pretty sore in the morning, but by the afternoon, it didn't feel to bad, I'm getting more used to my brace each time I run in it.

I stayed overnight at Jan and Dave's Sunday night, and Gyp fit right in with their shelties :)

Gyppie had an appointment with Dr.Devall this morning so it saves another trip to Calgary if I can do it all at once. Dr. Devall took about an hour with us and did some adjustments on Gyp, some laser on her lower lumbar area as well as some acupuncture. Gyp just loves her and follows her around the room begging for more cookies. I wanted to take her in to checked out after a hard day of running - so I know what I am dealing with. And yesterday's courses were more than she would run in a single days training or at a Trial in one day. She was a little sore in her lower lumbar, and her inner thigh area - just tired muscles - well so are mine, her neck was loosy-goosy and her shoulders felt good too. After Treatment she re-checked her and things seem to have loosened up, so that is good! I have some chinese herbs that combined with her other supplements should help with fast recovery times after heavy exercise. I think I might take them for myself too LOL I am fascinated with the kind of preventative treatments we can do with our dogs to keep them in top shape. She goes back next month and hopefully her and I will be in tip-top shape come regionals. I see my massage therapist tomorrow and my MRI is Thursday this week, I'm anxious, nervous and excited to get a (hopefully) final diagnosis on my knee and area issues.

Now back to regular scheduled reality ...

a weekend quickie

a weekend quickie update ... that is.

saturday. one day trial. 2 dogs entered. i didn't fall. my knee and leg hurt a bit and was stiff, but it didn't stop me, nope, not gonna happen. iced it heated, repeat as necessary. it's a little better each time i'm in the ring. i'm a little determined and stubborn.

kaleb ran 4 runs, Qd in all 4. yep, it's true. he ran great. and i handled him pretty well. spunky monkey. love that boy, really love that boy. sometimes i want to kill him though. stephan ran him for me in jumpers got a Q with him. he is the hardest dog on the planet to run, but also super fun. i can almost taste the gold, we are getting closer each trial. i got asked 4 times this weekend how old kaleb was. for the record he is 8, years old. true story.

gyp was entered in 3 runs and Qd in 2. i'm too chicken shit to run her in snooker, not sure when it will happen again. made our jumpers re-debut. first in 3 months. Q'd in one, a bar in the other, i stutter stepped. she looked at me over the jump. it wasn't awesome, but not horrible. i need to get better on my feet. i did get 3 jumps ahead for a FC I didn't think I would get too, and I did it, almost the best moment of the weekend. i'm still a little cumbersome, though i am getting my speed back. i want to run like i know i can. she is a great dog, so responsive, and so forgiving. i couldn't ask for more. always does the right thing. love her, really love her. i love her big feet too.

our students and training group did awesome. like really awesome. almost had tears in my eyes for the dogs who made their first run debuts. i want a puppy.

sunday i travelled an hour one way to do an open obedience routine. it was totally worth it. once of kaleb's best efforts yet. we are clicking in the obedience ring, our confidence is getting better together. got some great tips handler wise. he was on. he didn't bark once in his out of sight stays. it's a bloody miracle, there is a first time for everything. amazing how actually putting time into training something pays off ...

that's all.

if it feels good, do it.

WARNING: this post contains Agility content. As well as a "Knee" update.

We had our last Agility League last night, we had 5 over the winter months and it was great to see the progress in everyone.

I had to sit out the last 2 leagues because of my knee injury, but last night I RAN! I RAN! I led out about 50' on the start line and I am happy to say, I handled the course pretty well. If there is one good thing about me being injured I can't over run - which has been a n issue with my handling at times - but I like to go fast!!!! My body still isn't moving like it should and my dogs pick up on that a bit, which I don't want, I don't want them to be confused, but alteast they are responding even if what I am telling them isn't how I normally do, so they are still doing the correct things, based on that - what good dogs. So I have to be sure to follow through with more verbal or a verbal directional if I need it - a good tip from Amanda.

Amanda also ran Gyp and K for me, and WOW they did great with her - Kaleb's run was only 4 seconds behind Gyp and Wicca's!!!! Now that is fast! She is my pinch hitter next weekend at the Trial in case there is a course I can't run, or if I am too sore. Though I am hoping that since I only entered Standards they will be kinder to my body. I am dreading these courses to have threadles and tight front crosses as I still don't have the lateral movement and pivoting yet. But I can RUN DAMMIT! I CAN RUN!!! But I really do want to do a front cross and give'er 100%, but beggers, can't be choosers, this is progress!! :) It's been a good gauge for me in my recovery, since I know where I was at before physically, I still have a way to go.

Healing wise I would say I'm at 85%, a ways to go until 100% as I have hit a plateau somewhat in my recovery, now I need to start pushing it even more. I've been at the gym 3 or more times a week and walking the dogs everyday again YAY - even on uneven ground.

Yesterday at physio I did one legged wobble board squats!! Woo hoo! My left (good leg) is much more stable and stronger than my right, but it is also somewhat in my head too. I am slowly being convinced my knee is stronger than I think it is. I was actually able to do a few one legged wobble board squats on the right leg by the end!! YAY!

Then the next challenge was ladder work again, but this time on one foot zig zagging - the first steps in getting that lateral and pivoting movement back! Again, the left leg has much more spring too it and I didn't need my other foot to balance at all. Where as when I was on my right (bad leg) it was much more weak and I needed to stabilize my self twice as much. I was reminded by my therapist, that I did nothing on it for a month. and only another month has passed ... oh right, patience.

And the best part of all of that, there was no pain!! My leg is still compensating though, and I continue with the stretching and strengthening regime twice a day to keep everything loose and limber. The pain is almost gone entirely now, I rarely get spasms and most of the swelling has gone ... 2 months later.

my daily position, working with my laptop on the couch, and a rotating heating pad to loosen up my hamstrings, quads and calfs. I've been able to cut icing my knee back to only after exercise YAY!! The kinesio tape is to help support the knee cap, keep pressure off /keep swelling down and well it looks bad ass too.

March 17th is the the big day ... I see the Orthopedic specialist ... I'm happy that is happening on St. Paddy's Day ... good news or bad, either way a lot of green beer will be consumed.