Canicross Conversations

This episode is another one all about human recovery, as Louise and Michelle chat to Carole Armitage, founder of hot chocolate company 80 Noir Ultra. Find out about the mental and physical benefits of dark chocolate in a fascinating chat with Carole.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to The Six Pack Revolution Founder Scott Harrison about the importance of strength training and nutrition as we age, and he gives us some tips about how to get started, and getting into a routine. 

Louise and Michelle chat to James Lewington, a self-confessed "dog collector", and current British Bikejor Champion, who is just about to head out to Europe to represent Great Britain in international competition.   James talks us through how he got started in Bikejor, the technical aspects of it compared to canicross, plus how he manages to fit in training his 5 competing dogs.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Kevin Lamport, British national champion in two dog scooter. Find out all about this exciting dog team sport, what training looks like, and just how fast the fastest can go!  

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat through everything you need to know if you are thinking about starting canicross, busting some common myths and worries people have about it, talking through kit and commands, and explaining what happens at a taster session.

In this episode, Louise records live from the first Canicross Midlands race of the 2022 season at Box End. 

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Phil Irwin, founder of Bark Life and the World League Canicross. Phil is a keen canicrosser with his two dogs Bella and Lucy. His background in the military, power electronics, mathematical modelling, marketing and telecommunications has given him the unique skills to set up a virtual racing league to enable canicrossers of all ages and abilities to com...

In today's episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Natalie Chadwick about her experience of competing in the Trophée des Montagnes 2022. The TDM is a 9 day canicross event in the French Alps, and Natalie paints a vivid picture of an exciting, challenging, yet inclusive, canicross event. The shoes Natalie mentions in the podcast are Decathlon Evadict Women's Trail MT Cushion Here is a link to Natalie'...

In this episode, Louise and Michelle are thrilled to celebrate Canicross Conversations' first birthday by discussing their Top 5 episodes so far.   If you're new to Canicross Conversations, have a listen as we signpost you to some of our favourite episodes, and if you're been listening from the start, we would love to know your favourite episode, so please do get in touch.  

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Paul Jones, who, together with his partner Lucy, rescued Astor in 2019. Astor had been found in quite a bad way in Mauritius, and arrived in the UK a very anxious, scared, dog. Over the last few years, he has learned to trust humans again, and discovered a joy for canicross. Paul talks candidly about the realities of adopting an anxious, reactive dog, a...

As canicrossers, we all have a million photos of our dogs' rear ends on our camera phones, right? In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle chat to professional dog photographer Kerry Jordan from Fur and Fables. Kerry describes her work as "creating FOMO inducing images" and she shares some brilliant tips with us about getting the most out of our camera phones, how to get our...

Louise and Michelle interview Sarette, the owner of Wilson for our regular Canicross Stories feature. Sarette chats about her running, competitiveness, and what the dream team will be getting up to for the rest of the year.   You can follow @woofswithwilson on Instagram here 

Louise and Michelle have a chat about how they can improve their running through discussing all the elements a training plan might contain, including strength training, hills, intervals, fartlek runs, tempo runs, long runs.  Here is the link to Louise's Pilates course mentioned in the podcast. Here is the link to Michelle's website if anybody needs run coaching advice

This week, Louise takes us on a live tour of Goodwoof, as she teaches Pilates with dogs, and chats to various cani-sports exhibitors, including canicross (of course!), bikejor, and scooterjor.  

Louise and Michelle chat to Jason Pascoe from Non Stop Dogwear about harnesses. Find out: the difference between long and short harnesses how to fit a harness for your dog which harnesses offer the best adjustment what to look for in a well-fitted harness the signs of an ill-fitted harness how the dog's posture is affected by the harness, and how this differs for strong pulling dogs what should be...

How do you get into canicross after having spent your childhood fearful of dogs? In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Inein Victor Garrick who found running later in life, and decided to get a dog after meeting a few canicross runners in his running club. They are now a member of Cardiff Canicross group, and are enjoying being part of the racing scene. We challenge those perceptions of whe...

In this episode. Louise and Michelle chat with Barkrun founder Claire Martin.  When parkrun decided to no longer permit the use of waist belts for running with dogs in April 2022, many people in the canicross community understandably felt excluded. Barkrun was already in existence prior to this, a play on words for those who loved to participate in the free weekly timed 5k with their dogs, with re...

In this episode, Michelle interviews Louise about Pilates, and why every runner could benefit from it. Find out how to get started if you're brand new to it, and how to plan it into your week, around your running and canicrossing. Find out more about Pilates here Join Louise's Facebook group for runners and canicrossers here

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Rachel Spencer about our relationships with our dogs in our homes, and just how much a part of the family they are. Is your dog allowed on your bed or sofa? Do you have a wardrobe for your dog? Does your dog buy you birthday cards, and how do you celebrate your dog's birthday?   About Rachel  Rachel Spencer is a freelance writer specialising in the pet...

Kate Mellor didn't have a dog when she decided she would love to try canicross; she saw it on a TV programme and decided it looked so much fun, so set the wheels in motion to adopt her collie lab cross Flash. Collecting Flash just 2 hours before national lockdown came into effect in 2020 meant that Flash's puppy training and socialisation looked quite different to most puppies, but knowing that th...

In this episode of Canicross Stories, Louise and Michelle chat to Nat, who runs every day with her dog Esme, Nat and Esme have developed a strong bond while canicrossing, and have completed ultra distances together.

parkrun have decided that, effective from (and including) Saturday 2 April, they will no longer permit parkrunners to use waist harnesses when participating with their dog. Dogs will be still be allowed to participate with their owners, but the rules from 2nd April state: “One dog on a short, handheld, non-extendable lead by the side of the participant, and within reach at all times. Care must als...

This season, we talk to canicrossers across the world to hear their stories of what inspired them to take up canicross. In this episode we chat to Mel Grier, who is based in Scotland with her dog Breagha. Mel is a member of West Lothian canicross and is a keen canicross racer. 

In this episode, we chat to sports dietician Alexandra Cooke about how we should fuel our bodies to perform at our best. Alex really simplifies nutrition and hydration for us, and busts some myths too! You can follow Alex on her Instagram @thesportsdietician   and find out more on her website thesportsdietitian.co.uk

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to dog trainer and behaviourist Zoe Willingham about why some dogs develop a dislike or fear of harnesses, and how we can help dogs overcome this aversion. We also chat about muzzles, and why they might be helpful.  You can follow Zoe on Facebook and find out more Best Behaviour Dog Training here: https://www.bestbehaviourdogtraining.co.uk/