DISTANCE:  9.3 km DURATION: 1 hour

​Chugga chugga Choo choo! It sure was a blast meeting Ella today. Not only is she a total sweetheart, she is an awesome running partner! I had a couple of detours and was re-routed by the train today and we ended running mostly along the river, much to Ella’s delight. We stopped a couple of times to cool off in the water as it was deceptively hot and humid out, feeling especially hot when running at Ella's pace. We didn’t stop for long though because the mosquitos were ready to eat us alive! The Scoop: I forgot to add her home pee break as she went pee both before and after I started the tracking.
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Runner: Lauren

DISTANCE:  12.3 km DURATION: 1 hour 16 minutes

Today was another great run with Ella! We again tried to stick close to the river so that she could grab a drink when she wanted, but did have a couple of warmer kilometres when we did the small out and back by the Telus Spark Centre. We enjoyed seeing the Bears and Muskox at the zoo,  We saw a whole pile of goslings at St Patrick's Island Park. The river was a little high and dirty again, and some of our usual trails were submerged but we found a little stretch of single track by the fish hatchery which Ella really liked. It was another slower and shorter run, but paired with some more obedience work, Ella was more than ready to go home and rest. Same here Ella! Thanks for a great run!  No business to report.

​Runner: Laura

DISTANCE:  12. 2 km DURATION: 1 hour 19 minutes

Today I finally got to see Ella again! I slowed her down more than usual, but we still had some pretty decent kilometres! We scooted around to have lots of river stops but to both of our surprise, the river was so high most of our beaches were gone! We still had lots of time to cool off, but had to do a couple route adjustments. To make up for my slower pace and frequent walks, Ella and I worked on leash skills. She's really smart - smart enough to know that once I tell her she is a good girl for listening, she can go back to her running position! No Ella, walks mean heeling  I definitely missed this girl! Thanks for the great hour and a bit, I am so excited to be back!  The Scoop: 1 poo.

Runner:  Laura

DISTANCE: 10.6 km. DURATION: 1 hour 5 minutes

Ella was so confused because we ran the opposite direction to how we normally go. She tried really hard to convince me to take the normal turns but we wanted a different adventure today. After she realized that she was still able to run in this new direction, she picked up her pace and was totally run focused. On the few pauses we had, she was rolling immediately so we tried to keep moving. It was a perfect route and afternoon run.  Thanks Ella!  The Scoop: no business to report.

​Runner: Jessica

DISTANCE:  10 km DURATION: 1 hour

​It was a very soggy run today! Ella was a trooper and she was definitely happy to have her raincoat on.  I could tell that she was not in her usual eager mood because she actually pooped on the run. She NEVER poops on a run, but she timed it when we were passing under a bridge so we stayed dry - I think she just wanted a break from the downpour, Haha. I appreciated her timing!

Runner: Jessica

 DGR RUN OF THE DAY #3

DISTANCE:  10.4 km DURATION: 1 hour 4 minutes

​It was so nice outside today! Ella had her usual pre-run shakes because she was so excited to get going - she just likes to boogie! We kept a fast pace but did stop to look at the bears that were hanging out by their fence. Ella caught wind of them today and was way more curious than the last time we stopped to watch them. The pathways were actually pretty quiet today which was really nice. Thanks Ella!  The Scoop: no doggy business to report.

​​Runner: Jessica

DISTANCE: 17 km  DURATION: 1 hour 35 minutes

Today, Ella and I took her favourite route since it was a little cooler and less crowded than usual. We stopped at every river access point that we could, and enjoyed stretching our legs on that path since it is so nice and fast. We ended up going deeper South than usual and found a gorgeous wild park with a ridge on it with a new view of downtown. Ella seems to like these view points too so we took our time before turning back. It was pretty uneventful. There weren't even that many birds out but Ella is still getting used to the idea of these longer runs so that seemed to keep her mind occupied.  On the way back, we stopped at the river as much as we could, then zoomed home so that she could pee and poop in peace.  I don't know how she holds it for so long! Haha! Thanks for the fantastic run, as always, Ella! I hope you enjoyed your nap!

​Runner: Laura

DISTANCE:  16  km DURATION: 1 hour 39 minutes

Today I 'borrowed' Ella for a bit of a longer run - 16km rather than our usual 13. Ella was waiting very impatiently in her yard when I pulled up and much to my dismay instead of just running right away, we had to take a picture of her with my "Boston Marathon" medal! She wasn't too sure about it but she definitely worked very hard training me for a race that didn't happen so the medal for the virtual event had to do. Then we headed out to enjoy some closed roadways and hit some Ella highlights including Elbow River drinking, bunny pointing, and pigeon racing! She also seemed to enjoy having my dad tag along. We stopped quickly at The Running Room as well so that she could get some water that wasn't gross. Overall, it was a pretty nice run! Ella pretty much went straight to bed after so I think it was a success. Thanks for the awesome run girl!   The Scoop: 1 pee, 1 poo.

​Runner: Laura

DISTANCE:  13.5 km DURATION: 1 hour 10 minutes

Today Ella and I decided to make the most of this pandemic thing, and we headed out to enjoy the streets that are not normally closed to pedestrians such as the lower deck on Centre Street Bridge and a couple blocks of Memorial Drive. Ella really likes the lower deck of the bridge - it’s cooler and there are always lots of birds flying around - but she wasn’t sure about running on Memorial! Were we even allowed? Where’s the cars?  We then went across 10th Street Bridge which was new for us as well, and when we popped out the other side we saw that the Calgary River Surfers were out! I was definitely more excited about them than Ella was - she’s a pretty cool customer unless you’re a duck, rabbit, or floating leaf! At this point it was just lightly raining which was actually really refreshing since Ella and I get pretty hot on our runs. We headed back for a second loop of St. Patrick's Island where I made her run up and down the little hill (which she liked) and a small loop towards the Fish Hatchery (which she also liked!). I know she’s missing the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary out and back but until the distancing requirements are lifted, it’s just a little too tight! Sorry Ella! Hopefully all the river stops made up for it! Thanks for the great run!  The Scoop: 1 pee and 1 poop.
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​Runner: Laura

DISTANCE: 10.7 km  DURATION: 1 hour 7 minutes

Today was am awesome day with Ella! We had two things to do today. First, watch her paws because she has a sore toe. Luckily with Ella, she is very expressive and dramatic so there's no worry about her hiding her opinions about anything she doesn't like.  Second, we had to make lots of river stops! It was perfect and refreshing. I think doing our usual zoo loop backwards was perfect because all the water stops were on the back at the end of the run when we were both in need of a break. Ella was very excited about floating leaves, but not at all excited about all the kayakers in the rapids! Silly girl! She was also very excited to see gophers! She never fails to crack me up. I'd love to know what she thinks about on these runs. I know I think about how lucky I am to have such an awesome running partner! Thanks for the great run Ella! 1 pee, no poop. Also, the app froze so I've attached a picture from my garmin with our actual route and distance. 

Runner: Laura

DISTANCE:  10.2 km DURATION: 1 hour 6 minutes

​What a nice day for a run! We tried a different loop and it was really great - not too many people and we got to see a bear at the zoo. Ella didn't even notice him, but he was pretty close to where we were. She must have been thirsty when we got back because she was happy to go back inside and didn't have the zoomies around the yard (or she knew her mom was inside and just wanted to check in). She did pee once in the backyard. Thanks Ella!​

​Runner: Jessica

DISTANCE: 12.9 km DURATION: 1 hour 51 minutes
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​Today was another gorgeous day downtown with Ella.  We went out on a leisurely walk/jog 13km which initially confused Ella, but she quickly figured it out. Since I knew that this run wouldn't be physically tiring, I decided to try to make it as mentally stimulating as possible so whenever something in the trees or river caught her attention,  I'd let her take her time figuring it out. We stopped in the river wherever we could, and went on some paths that we otherwise wouldn't. She really liked all the new sights and smells, and was a happy girl! We had 2 new things happen. First, she was attacked by a tiny garter snake! We were running past the zoo and Ella was a little too close for comfort. Neither of us saw the snake until it shot out of the leaves at her, but it stuck around long enough I could grab a picture? Second, we ran over the lower deck of the Centre Street Bridge! It's closed to traffic, but still open to pedestrians so we were able run across it and look down at the river. We then headed back towards home, and I mustered up some legs to give Ella a nice long stretch of running back to her house. Throughout this run, I would run 200-500 meters, then walk for 200-300 meters,  but at the end we went for most of the last kilometre. Not the run Ella was expecting, but there was lots of stuff for her to look at and sniff! When we got home we got a picture with my sign from yesterday - thanks for all your hard work training me Ella!! I hope you had a good run/walk today!   The Scoop: 1 poo.
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1 poop, no pees 
The Scoop: 1 poo.

Runner: Laura

DISTANCE: 13 km DURATION: 1 hour 5 minutes

​Today was a gorgeous day for a run with Ella 4% - it was almost like spring! In these times of physical distancing, route choices are becoming more and more difficult.  Luckily, Ella just needs to be pointed in the right direction and she’s a happy girl! I had one route planned with several backup routes depending on crowds. I decided that the Bow River pathways were the best because they are wide enough to keep our distance and have lots of grass in case we needed to go off the path. Ella loved it because she was able to run through one of her favourite parks, and even found that some of the dirt trails are passable! We then ran up and over into Bridgeland to find a hill that we keep seeing but never have been able to find the bottom of it. Today was a success and we were finally able to cross one last hill off of our bucket list of Bridgeland/Crescent Heights hills. Ella likes the vantage point - lots of birds in trees that she can stare down into. We then did a little out and back along the river and passed two different cop cars along the way - maybe they’re enforcing social distancing? We tried to get down to the river so that Ella could have a better view of the ducks, but it’s still a little icy and muddy so we turned around and headed home. Ella definitely has a clock in her head.  When we get to the bottom of the hour and turn back, she definitely picks up her feet and finds a second wind. It was a great hour again with her, I just can’t get over how beautiful she is! And how ridiculous and dramatic! Thanks for the awesome run Ella! No Scoop to report.

Runner: Laura