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Canicross Conversations

Canicross Conversations

By: Michelle Mortimer and Louise Humphrey
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Summary

 The leading podcast for all things canicross and cani-sports. Canicross instructors Louise and Michelle chat to various guests and experts, who love to run or compete with their dogs, about how to keep both dog and human happy and healthy.Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • What Canicross With a Rescue Dog Can Teach Us: Clare and Loki (Episode 207)

    What Canicross With a Rescue Dog Can Teach Us: Clare and Loki (Episode 207)
    May 15 2026
    Michelle and Louise are joined by Clare Thompson and her rescue dog Loki, whose first season together has been full of surprises, progress and plenty of learning. Clare moved from ultra running into canicross, first with her rescue dog Rex, and then with Loki, a young, high-energy pointer who arrived underweight, inexperienced and in need of confidence. What began as a gentle, low-pressure introduction to racing soon became a standout season, with Clare and Loki finishing second nationally and putting in an expression of interest for Poland. But this conversation is about much more than results. Clare talks openly about working with the dog in front of you, building trust, managing race environments, decompression after events and why canicross can be such a powerful outlet for rescue dogs. As a sports therapist, Clare also brings valuable insight into the human side of the sport. The episode explores why strength training matters so much for canicross runners, especially when adding the extra force of a strong pulling dog. From squats and deadlifts to core work, upper body strength and “snack exercises”, Clare explains how small, consistent habits can help reduce injury risk and support better running. There is also a fascinating discussion around pain, mindset, stress, confidence, comfort zones and why canicross can be just as important for mental wellbeing as it is for fitness. Whether you race competitively, run socially, have a rescue dog, or are just canicross-curious, this episode is full of encouragement, practical advice and honest reflections. Timings 0.31 – introducing Clare and Loki 0.56 – how Clare found canicross after ultra running 2.52 – finding Loki in rescue and taking a chance on a high-energy dog 4.01 – building Loki up slowly and starting with short course races 5.29 – how Loki copes with the race environment 6.23 – overtaking, focus and confidence around other dogs 8.43 – not rushing rescue dogs into more than they are ready for 9.21 – moving from ultra running to fast 5k canicross 13.53 – Clare and Loki’s national result 15.02 – putting in an expression of interest for Poland 15.42 – working with different dogs and different levels of drive 18.17 – Clare’s background as a sports therapist 19.28 – why strength training matters for canicross runners 20.52 – squats, deadlifts, single-leg work and upper body strength 22.25 – core work and loaded carries 23.38 – balancing running and strength sessions 25.00 – helping injured runners take responsibility for rehab 28.38 – snack exercises and fitting strength into everyday life 31.14 – pain, discomfort and the brain’s role in injury 36.38 – books on the body, stress and pain 37.27 – international inspiration and watching canicross abroad 38.27 – canicross as friendship, fresh air and mental wellbeing 40.24 – canicross for dogs who cannot be off lead 43.00 – Loki’s progress and getting stronger for next season Resources mentioned The Body Keeps the Score When the Body Says No Canicross Midlands Canix BSSF Cani-Fit Louise’s strength training blog after the London Marathon Previous episode with Lindsay from Cani-Fit
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    48 mins
  • Canicross Story: Lucy J Morgan and Tedi Bêr(Episode 206)

    Canicross Story: Lucy J Morgan and Tedi Bêr(Episode 206)
    May 8 2026
    Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy J Morgan from Wales, a professional musician, ultra runner and member of Dexy's Midnight Runners, who has recently discovered the world of canicross with her dog Tedi Bêr. Although Lucy has been running with Tedi for years, including through mountain training for ultramarathons, she only recently realised that what they were doing had a name, a community and a whole sport behind it. Lucy shares how Tedi Bêr, a 40kg New Zealand Huntaway, has become her loyal mountain-running partner, helping her feel safer, more motivated and more connected to the outdoors. The episode also explores Tedi's first canicross race at Red Warrior Margam, where the pair chose the 20k distance and went on to win the women’s race. Michelle and Louise offer supportive advice on belts, passing other runners, using commands and understanding the canicross season, especially when temperatures rise. Lucy also shares the moving story behind her upcoming memorial walk on 25 May, following the footsteps of three boys who became lost in the Brecon Beacons in 1904. Through music, memory and mountain rescue fundraising, this episode brings together canicross, endurance, Welsh landscape, companionship and community. Timings 1.02 – Lucy’s running background and discovering canicross 2.17 – Tedi Bêr's longest training run of 33 miles 2.45 – Meet Tedi Bêr, the New Zealand Huntaway 4.26 – Starting out with a lead, waist belt and harness 5.30 – Lucy’s teal canicross kit setup 6.18 – Why a canicross-specific belt can help with a strong dog 8.35 – Tedi Bêr’s size and power at 40kg 9.19 – Running early in the Welsh mountains 10.12 – Trying a first event to see how Tedi coped 10.48 – Red Warrior Margam and choosing the 20k distance 11.43 – Lucy and Tedi’s first race experience 12.12 – Learning canicross race etiquette 14.13 – Feeling safer running with a dog 15.09 – How Tedi helped Lucy through a tough ultra training day 17.15 – Long runs, water and Tedi's endurance 17.50 – Canicross ultras and longer-distance options 18.23 – Lucy and Tedi winning their first women’s canicross race 19.10 – Tedi’s interest in sheep and future training plans 21.10 – Understanding the canicross season 21.45 – Why dogs should not run in the heat 22.38 – Summer alternatives, cani-hiking and cooling down 23.31 – Finding races through the canicross calendar 24.10 – Why longer distances may suit Lucy and Tedi 25.23 – Lucy’s ultra running background 26.30 – Women, endurance and the book Ultra women 27.32 – Lucy’s memorial walk project in Wales 29.31 – Raising money for Western Beacons Mountain Rescue 31.27 – Lucy’s life as a professional musician 33.40 – Touring with Dexy's Midnight Runners 34.30 – Lucy’s questions about handler etiquette 35.17 – How to pass safely in canicross events 36.20 – Commands, focus and working with distractions 37.13 – Downhill control and using a “behind” command 38.25 – Where to find Lucy online Links mentioned Red Warrior Margam Cani Trail Podcast episode 2 on running dogs in the heat Podcast episode 162 with the authors of Ultra Women JustGiving page for Lucy’s mountain rescue fundraiser Lucy's Big Walk Promo Video Dexy's Midnight Runners
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    43 mins
  • Canicross Story: Stuart and Mav. From triathlon to cani-sports (Episode 205)

    Canicross Story: Stuart and Mav. From triathlon to cani-sports (Episode 205)
    May 1 2026
    Louise and Michelle are joined by Stuart Nuttall, who shares his journey from school cross-country and triathlon into the world of flyball, canicross and bikejor. After years of endurance sport, including triathlon and Ironman training, Stuart found that dog sports offered a new way to stay active while spending more time with his family and dogs. Stuart talks about meeting Louise at Crufts, getting into canicross through off-season fitness work for flyball, and how his young dog Maverick has opened up a whole new set of goals. The conversation explores the crossover between flyball and canicross, including focus, passing, drive, confidence, strength and conditioning, and the importance of building fitness gradually. There are plenty of relatable moments, from buying “just one more” bit of kit, to Maverick chewing through his harness on the start line of his first race. Stuart reflects on imposter syndrome, learning from others, looking after paw health, and why he sees himself as the weaker part of the human-dog team. This is a great episode for anyone curious about combining different dog sports, starting canicross with a young dog, or simply enjoying getting outside and being active with their dog. Timings 0.00 – Introducing Stuart and how he met Louise at Crufts 0.36 – Stuart’s early canicross experience and running with his dogs 1.42 – From school cross-country to rugby league and returning to running 3.08 – Getting peer-pressured into his first triathlon 4.14 – Representing GB in duathlon and triathlon events 5.05 – Why coaching and being open to learning matters 6.10 – Moving away from triathlon and towards family dog sports 7.36 – Using running to help keep the dogs fit for flyball 8.51 – What flyball is and how Stuart first discovered it 10.56 – Setting up a flyball team and competing at Crufts 12.27 – How travelling for flyball changed Stuart’s view of canicross events 14.12 – Maverick’s breeding, drive and introduction to sport 15.58 – Why canicross is not “just running with your dog” 19.01 – Commands, passing dogs and the crossover with flyball focus 20.40 – Why Stuart was most proud of Maverick’s control around walkers and loose dogs 21.24 – Stuart and Maverick’s first canicross race with Trail Dog Events 22.50 – The start-line harness chewing incident 24.19 – Flyball season, canicross season and fitting it all in 24.59 – Discovering the speed of canicross with a strong dog 26.17 – Stuart’s goals for the next canicross season 27.03 – Building Maverick’s distance and endurance gradually 28.08 – Strength and conditioning for injury prevention 28.22 – Paw care, nail care and learning what Maverick needs 30.07 – Imposter syndrome at races and comparing dogs, kit and speed 31.11 – Understanding the power of purpose-bred canicross dogs 33.41 – Why the human needs to train too 34.04 – Will Maverick choose flyball or canicross? 34.56 – Giving Maverick the right opportunities 35.20 – Where to follow Stuart and Maverick online 35.57 – Future duathlon plans and whether a triathlon could happen 37.01 – Final thoughts: canicross can be whatever you want it to be Links mentioned Check out our episodes with Toby Lambert and Lindsay from Cani-Fit Stuart on Instagram: @stunuttall Maverick on Instagram: @negativeghostrider31
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    42 mins
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super inspired and enthused hearing this, looking forward to experiencing it myself!
this podcast has been an awesome source to have as a "buddy" to keep me motivated as there is no local club for me in my area, thank you!!

can't wait to try this!

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