Looking for a way to stay in shape over the summer? How would you like to have your own free personal trainer and motivator – someone whose resume includes Marine, police officer and football coach?

One of the healthiest things to do in Lawrence during the summer is to take part in Don “Red Dog” Gardner’s Red Dog Days. Hundreds of Lawrence residents gather at Memorial Stadium to stretch, run laps, and climb the stadium stairs, all under Gardner’s tutelage.

Ryan Ritter/World Online photoDon Gardner got his name from his junior high football coach. See and hear the 2002 Red Doggers in action in the video and picture gallery

Red Dog Days started in 1984 when Gardner was an assistant for Lawrence High football. The team needed some extra heat and endurance conditioning over the summer, so Gardner had the them run up and down the stairs at Memorial stadium.

Over time, more and more people began participating. Last year’s numbers topped 450 for the 6 p.m. nightly runs. This year, Gardner added a 6 a.m. time to help split the crowd and give participants time to run up a good sweat before heading to work.

A noon slot will be added in July for those really interested in working up a sweat in the summer heat. If that is not enough, the group meets every Saturday at the Lied Center parking lot for a run through town.

After signing in and stretching, Gardner starts everyone off with four laps around the track. That’s one mile.

The runners then line up on one goal line and run the length of the field twice backward while high-stepping. “This will really make your muscles ache,” Gardner said. He then makes the group run the field again, this time forward.

The regimen continues with vigorous calisthenics: jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups, other abdominal stretches, more push-ups and finally vigorous running in place with occasional commands to drop to ground, stomach first.

Ryan Ritter/World Online photoSee and hear the Red Doggers in action in the video and picture gallery

• You can run with the Dogs 6 a.m. and/or 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Memorial Stadium. Beginning in July you can run at noon, too.
• Tell us what you think about Red Dog Days

Lastly, now that everyone is warmed up properly, it is time to tackle the stairs: twice up and down. The whole routine takes about 45 minutes. Gardner has an assistant jot down the exact order each day, so the morning, noon and night sessions punish everyone equally.

Every session is free. Donations are accepted to contribute to refreshments on the hottest days, and a T-shirt at summer’s end. Any extra proceeds go toward cancer research.

Gardner thanks KU Athletics Director Al Bohl and Head Football Coach Mark Mangino for allowing Red Dog Days to take place at the stadium.

So with multiple sessions available to fit any schedule, this Lawrence tradition is an excellent way to add a little exercise and fitness to anyone’s summer.