A couple of years back I got a running harness for my basenji with the intent on taking her for runs and hopefully cement a good habit for the both of us. Things didn't quite work out as expected. She did quite alright for the first run but on the subsequent attempts she would be of quite a different opinion on everything from pace to how many pauses were reasonable, to where we were running and so on. On rainy days I would get her ready and she would seem eager to go only to pull the handbrake on the driveway more often than not ending up with me disappointedly leaving her at home and go for a run by myself.
Now I'm not a big time runner myself. But I see the benefits. Back then I would if not chase a better time at least glance at my watch to see how I was doing. The runs themselves were short but relatively straining for me. As often before I ended up running too much in a short while and hurting myself. That put an end to both my own running and attempting to get Pixie to come with me.
So this past autumn I kind of rediscovered slow-jogging although I do believe I'm actually running a bit on the fast side for it to be proper slow-jogging. I kept going without ever hurting myself up until the snow fell and then I spent this time doing boring 40 minute sessions of step-ups with a weight west for extra resistance.
Not had the snow melted away until I was ready for new runs outside. And as the days were short and I had no wish do go running after dark it kind of felt natural to give running with Pixie another try. I'm glad that I did. My slower tempo and the fact that I'm no longer racing for time made all the difference. That she's had a couple of years to grow a more patient temperament probably doesn't hurt either.
There has been very little rain this spring, so who knows how that part will work out but for now we're happy running buddies for the most part adjusting to each others speed and just enjoying the quiet in the woods.