Core Strengthening

Nesta had his first lesson in core strengthening today.  After reading the articles on the blog about how important this is, I decided today would be the first day we try it.  Before reading about it, I was not aware of the importance of strengthening a tripod’s core due to this being where he will find his new balance and the core will support his back which is taking an abnormal amount of pressure now.  I do not have any of the fancy gear they talk about, although I am sure it is useful; hopefully I will be able to get at least something for him soon.  But today, we went to a public park and found plenty of obstacles and uneven surfaces to practice on.

First we went over to the beach volley ball court and walked around in the deep sand for about 5  minutes.  I thought that might be good for him, until the rascal decided to roll around in it and got it all over him!  Then we found a log stretched across a grassy area, so we practiced jumping over the log together.  We went back and forth about 10 times.  We both got a work out from that!  I think he really liked it as every time he made it to the other side of the log he looked up and me and smiled with his panty, happy face!  Then we walked along further and found an area where the grounds keepers had plopped fresh piles of mulch all along a wooded area.  There must have been 50 piles of mulch about 3 feet wide and 3 feet high.  It was a perfect obstacle course!  We practiced walking and jogging in between the piles and then over some and around others.  It was a follow the leader type game, I was the leader and he was joyfully following my every move.  This tired him out a little.  But I could tell he enjoyed it because when we were resting, he looked up at me again all panty and out of breath and had that wild eyed puppy face that he has after he just did something really fun.  He definitely likes the attention and the challenge.  I think we will continue this a few times a week; I just hope the mulch piles stick around a little longer.  Since his surgery we haven’t done anything like this, we’ve mostly been walking around the neighborhood, walked a few trails, thrown short distance balls occasionally and keeping things pretty calm.  But I am glad to see my old buddy up for a challenge again!