|
Post by dj on Jun 3, 2016 0:53:43 GMT 10
Hi Tom,
if i call my dogs up gallop twice a week(no walking machine etc just a stroll through fields on days off)-will they get very fit-bitches go up giving 100% dogs about 85%
OR
do they need more-say 3 gallops and 20/40 mins walking other days
OR
is it a case that the only way to get them 100% fit is by trialing/racing on the track ?
the other thing is how do you know when dog in 100% fit rather than say 90/95% fit-is there any way to tell
thanks tom,
|
|
|
fitness
Jun 4, 2016 19:53:31 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Jun 4, 2016 19:53:31 GMT 10
Hi D J
A couple of runs a week up what would most likely be 300 metres at the most would only provide a very base fitness, and adding walking on a walking machine to the mix would add very very little.
If in addition to that free running they were also given a run behind the lure every third day after about three to four weeks they should then have enough fitness to start competitive running against other dogs a couple of times a week, and it would then take a further two weeks of doing that to get them fit enough to have a chance of winning a race.
It will then take at least three to four races before they actually became race fit and could start performing at their best.
All of the above is going to take longer and more work if the greyhounds perform best over longer distances as it takes time to slowly build most dogs up to being able to run and pull up sound over distances exceeding 450 metres.
In regard to knowing exactly when the greyhound has reached their peak fitness, this you will only know when they start to perform at their very best and can no longer improve on what they are doing.
Cheers, Tom
|
|
|
fitness
Jun 4, 2016 21:00:48 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by Dj on Jun 4, 2016 21:00:48 GMT 10
Thanks tom
|
|
|
fitness
Aug 17, 2016 7:51:57 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by Dj on Aug 17, 2016 7:51:57 GMT 10
Hi Tom, you stated somewhere that after a week or two of walking a dog is ready to go 14 sec after lure. I'm only trying to get a handle on real fitness- workload and understand it in depth. What about the following. After weeks of walking give them 14 sec on schooling track. 3/4 days later go back and give say 18 seconds all handslips. 3/4 days again repeat maybe 1 more 18 sec and then move to 22 sec repeat and so on. Forget the walking/ galloping and everything else , just build up the track work slowly. What do you think of that method. Now I probably would do walking then a some gallops before track work just to strengthen bones/ joints etc for the track but once I head to the track work as above. Just curious what you think. Dj
|
|
|
fitness
Aug 18, 2016 8:25:14 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 18, 2016 8:25:14 GMT 10
Hi Dj,
Sounds good to me, and if the greyhounds handle it OK in regard to dehydration/stress levels the time inbetween easy runs can be reduced to 2 clear days and then increased again to 3 clear days in between after a harder run.
In other words, a 14 second run, 2 days easy walking, an 18 second run, 3 days easy waking, another 18 second run, 2 days easy walking, and then a 22 second, run after which the dog would have another 3 days rest and so on until you reach its best race distance.
Then prior to a race when you need the dog to really give it everything it's got at that time, I would then keep it on the lead walking only for 4 or 5 clear days so that it's super keen to run without having lost any real fitness during that time.
However I have found it best to massage the dog thoroughly daily for the 2 days prior to racing so that's it's comfortable and able to stretch out fully.
Cheers, Tom
|
|
|
fitness
Aug 18, 2016 16:01:42 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by Dj on Aug 18, 2016 16:01:42 GMT 10
Great cheers Tom
|
|
|
fitness
Aug 18, 2016 19:57:28 GMT 10
via mobile
Post by Dj on Aug 18, 2016 19:57:28 GMT 10
Tom, is it fair to say that the 2/3 day clear days are of upmost importance not just from a resting point of view but to get them back working within a timeframe that suits the greyhound to increase fitness over that time frame. Example say I rested them 4 days, is that extra days rest eating (for a better word)in to the fitness. Cheers
|
|
|
fitness
Aug 19, 2016 5:16:44 GMT 10
Post by Tom Meulman on Aug 19, 2016 5:16:44 GMT 10
Hi Dj,
That timeframe is designed to improve fitness. When this is increased to 4 clear days it just about maintains existing fitness, while one run a week slowly loses fitness to the extent where each run then becomes more strenuous for the dog.
Keep in mind that this training schedule is based on a healthy greyhound with no injuries, as both those issues will severely impact on any training program.
Cheers, Tom
|
|