This morning I went for a short (hilly) run with my 1 yr old puppy Ebony (aka Moo or Moo Moo). It got me thinking about how I run when I take her with me and I also remembered reading about how Michelle Bridges tore her hamstring away from the bone when she tripped over her dog while going for a run. Do I change my style of running when I take her with me for short runs, and what were the chances she could trip me over?

Up until this point I have declined all offers to participate in any events that could increase my chance of injury, keeping my mindset focused on the marathon in July and wanting to be at my best for that run. So as I was running I pondered all of the above. I came to the conclusion that I should buy a longer lead so she can run way ahead of me, that way it gives me more time to react if I need to get out of her way. I’m not sure it would this eliminate the risk all together but surely it would help.

Then I thought about my running style, when i’m with her I have the lead in my right hand with my arm stretched out forward as she pulls me along. Sometimes I feel like my arms get more of a workout than my legs! She is a puppy so she has a lot of energy and for 80-90% of the run she’s up front. I felt like my body movement while running with her is a little lob-sided as only my left arm is free to move how it normally does. I’m sure that this is probably not ideal, but I love taking her with me and she needs the exercise so she doesn’t dig up the yard.

Google! That’s what I needed, i’m sure that i’m not the only person who has had this trouble. So when I got home I found it, the Handsfree Leash by Kyjen. It not only has a padded belt for my waist with a clip to attach the dog leash, but it also has a little pouch for me to put some poo bags and a gel (for when she gets older and I take her on longer runs). So I ordered it online and am very much looking forward to the day it arrives and I can test it out.