The Dangers of Walking Your Dog

No, I didn’t hurt myself running with Scooby again, but I am feeling once bitten, twice shy now that I realize how quickly things can go awry.

I had vowed off Scooby miles “for a while” but then Monday morning came, and it seemed so inefficient to take him for a walk and then go out again for a run.

The Dangers Of Walking Your Dog

Thankfully, my first Scooby miles since spraining my ankle were uneventful. But was it just coincidence that I heard this story on NPR when I got home?

Apparently I was lucky to only have suffered a mild sprain. According to the reported study, in patients age 65+ about 4,400 cases of broken bones in 2017 were linked to walking a leashed dog. (I’m not over 65, but still!) After I shared this story on Facebook, my mother-in-law reminded me of how many fractures she’s gotten walking their dogs. Most involved slipping/falling rather that being pulled, which brings me to my favorite quote of the story:

Life is a contact sport.

A doctor commenting on the research noted that sitting on the couch (and a sedentary lifestyle) carries its own risks, and pointed out that 4000 fractures out of 50 million people age 65+ is not really that many.

So, I guess I’ll keep running with Scooby, but not when the road is wet.

Weekly Run Down

Monday:  5 Scooby Miles
I was planning on a 3 mile “test run” but the weather was so pleasant and my ankle felt fine, so I stretched it to 5 miles. Yay!

Daylight Saving Time = photos under the streetlight 

Tuesday: CPY2
While I think CPY2 generally is harder than Hot Power Fusion, this class felt much easier than Sunday’s HPF class, and I felt much better afterwards. I think Anne starts us out slowly before luring us into trying the week’s peak pose.

Wednesday: Cyclebar
Francina put together another great theme ride, with Florence and the Machine and Fallout Boy. It felt good to be able to give it 100% after a few weeks of being cautious.

Thursday: Orange Theory Fitness
I was able to take a 2G (two group) class at the new studio near my house. With only two groups the time is split evenly between the rower/floor and treadmill. We did two floor blocks, kicking off each one with a 500 M row before doing the strength exercises.  The treadmill also had two blocks, with a walk break in between. Once again, my ankle felt strong. Yay!

Friday: Strength Workout
I was tempted to run outside, but didn’t want to push my luck after so many hard workouts, so I opted for a strength workout at home, focusing on my PT exercises.

Saturday:  21 mile bike ride
I wanted to join the Conte’s Alexandria ride so badly, I ignored the blustery winds as we were getting ready. It had been so long since I’d been on my bike, I focused on the blue skies and sunshine.

I did wear warm gloves, so I didn’t get a photo outside.

Sunday: 8.25 mile run
I was afraid this run wasn’t going to happen after a mysterious pain popped up in my right leg (possibly here) Friday night, but a dose of Motrin and a day in a knee brace had chased it away by Saturday night. Phew!

The weather was cool and crisp, but there was plenty of sunshine. 

With only one weekend between now and the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, I guess I will try to do another 8 mile run next weekend. I wish I could have done ten miles this weekend, but that would have been too much, too soon after coming back from my ankle sprain. I’m not sure going for 10 miles next weekend would be helpful, since most training plans have you cutting back the weekend before a race. Thoughts?


Thanks to Deborah and Kim for hosting the new Weekly Run Down. Join in!


Have you ever gotten injured waling your dog?

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21 Responses to The Dangers of Walking Your Dog

  1. I would definitely nix the 10 miles. You do enough cross training that I’m sure you’re ready for 10 miles.

    I have actually never gotten injured walking or running with the dogs, but they are *somewhat* well behaved on leash, and of course, they’re also small.

    However, I also was once training them with distractions (Chester & Lola). Had them in a down stay while I walked & jumped around them. And I jumped right into a hole — that I even knew was there! Ugh! Luckily it was only painful for a day.

    • Coco says:

      Ugh! That sounds like something I would do! I put my foot in a hole running with Scooby once, but luckily somehow didn’t fall on my face.

      • I didn’t fall — I just twisted my ankle. It didn’t even really hurt til later in the day — I went food shopping afterwards, which was stupid. Thankfully it wasn’t that bad.

  2. It was so windy yesterday I am not sure I would have braved the bike! Good for you! So glad to hear that your ankle is feeling better as well. Did biking outside bother it at all? Thanks for linking up!

  3. Yesterday’s 8-miler is probably gonna be my biggest distance before Cherry Blossom, unless I add on a couple extra miles before or after each of my 10K’s (I have a 10K this coming Friday night in Florida and one on March 30th). I”m not really running CB for finish time, but for the experience of seeing all the beauty on the race course, so I’m not too worried (we’ll see if that strategy plays out nicely or not in a few weeks LOL). Thanks for linking with us 😉

    • Coco says:

      You could be in for a treat with the blossom peak bloom predicted! Cross your fingers we don’t get any major windy storms. 😉

  4. I agree that most training plans have you cutting back the weekend before a race. I am no running coach but I think you should skip the 10 miles.

    21 miles on the bike? Simply wow and great job!

  5. Cari says:

    Yay on stronger ankle. As you know, I did not follow a proper cycle for either Lauderdale or today’s Half and while i contemplated running yesterday I think the smarter move was not to. I think if you did 8, you’ll be OK for ten – especially with the blossoms.
    Wasn’t the story I expected to see you share – dod you hear the one in Arkansas where doc quit counting after 200 bites?

  6. Marcia says:

    I saw that report. My mom has broken her wrist a couple of times when encountering ice while walking the dig. I’ve definitely slipped and fallen on ice with the dog too although, knock wood, no broken bones. I will say I’ve never seen so many people with broken arms as I have this year. I blame our incredibly icy winter. I think you were wise to skip the 10. 8 will be plenty.

  7. kookyrunner says:

    I did see that article about the dangers of walking your dog and I could definitely relate to it. Although I never ran with my dog, there were many times where he would almost pull my arm out of its socket while trying to chase a squirrel while we were walking.

  8. Organic Runner Mom says:

    Hooray for getting back to running! I would love to do that Cherry Blossom ten miler some year. It sounds like it will be a beautiful race.

  9. Chaitali says:

    That’s a good point about a sedentary lifestyle having its own risks! I don’t think there’s anything that can be done to ensure a perfectly safe life, and that doesn’t sound like a fun way to live anyway. It makes sense to skip the 10 miler to make sure you’re in good shape for the race, especially with all the cross training you do!

  10. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says:

    Man, I don’t have a dog and I didn’t realize that getting fractures was so common. I will say that rollerblading with an energy puppy is NOT a good idea….I did that as a 12 year old and fortunately did not get hurt, but it could’ve been disastrous!

    I think sticking with 8 miles makes sense. You know the course and your fitness is on point!

  11. Black Knight says:

    I don’t have a dog (even if I’d like) but I succeeded in breaking my bones running (shoulder) and biking (vertebra L3).

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  13. Renée says:

    I don’t have a dog. Lots of reasons why (mostly I live in a small apartment and don’t think it would be fair to the dog. cats don’t care. so I have cats). Once though a huge dog, not on a lead, ran in front of me while I was biking/ flying down a hill in Cornwall (UK) and because I really didn’t want to hurt the dog I had to brake pretty hard, causing me to go over the top of the bike. That wasn’t fun. I’m really really cautious with dogs now, so I’m not so sure I would run with a dog. I know you are also talking about getting injured just walking a dog as well. Maybe I’ll stick to cats?

    yay on the outdoor biking! I haven’t made it out yet for a long ride – maybe this weekend since Ron has to run 30KM for his long run (though for me it will be super relaxed if I’m biking at his running pace).

    I agree with the others – don’t push the mileage now. You do enough cross-training. you will be ok at CB.

  14. I’m so happy your ankle is feeling better! Here’s hoping your ankle and right leg continue to behave as you prepare for the Cherry Blossom Ten-Miler.

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